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As we look forward to Thanksgiving Week, I want to take a moment and look backwards. When we think about the history of Thanksgiving, most of us remember the stories from the pilgrims, the Mayflower, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. What you may not know, or may not remember, is that our nation did not have Thanksgiving as an official National Holiday until Abraham Lincoln declared one in November 1863—in the middle of the American Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln, the man who saved the Union and abolished slavery, was Walt Disney’s favorite President.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “You live the life you think about.” Stop for a moment and think about those words.

“You live the life you think about.”

Too many of us are slaves to our own thinking. As we get ready to celebrate on Thursday, I want to encourage you to think about your thinking. In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, instead of focusing on where you want to be…take a moment to say “thanks” for where you are. Instead of thinking about what you want, take a moment to count your blessings and be grateful for what you already have. Being thankful for where you are and what you already have is foundational to building your future dreams, goals, and success.

In The Wisdom of Walt, I write about living an “inverted life” and the importance of building your future on top of a never-ending story of thankfulness and appreciation. Most people spend their days thinking and talking only about their problems. Thanksgiving is an excellent time to refocus your thinking and shift your perspective. Use this week to look for the good.

Personally, I want to say thank you for being a part of The Wisdom of Walt. It has been a great year and an amazing journey. Niki and I are going to Disneyland on Thursday. We hope that you are able to spend the day at your Happy Place, too.

Thanks.

“The things you take for granted, someone else is praying for.”

Anonymous