When I go through my list of things I’m thankful for, I think about the hard stuff I have had to deal with.
Seriously.
The reason why is because you always come out on the other side. The question though, is how you come out.
Bitter-or better? A lesson learned, an experience that changed your life, softened your heart, healed your soul?
It’s up to you to interpret and to apply these life lessons that come in the form of trials. There’s no doubt that we all face them in some form or another.
So today, I’m grateful for the trials in my life, but mostly thankful for the lessons they’ve taught me.
The biggest lesson of all is that you can never fail being more loving, more caring or more generous with those you love and those you encounter in your life. If it doesn’t come back to you, have patience, because it will, that’s how it works. Nature abhors vacuums (unless they’re hard at work cleaning your floors).
I invite you to take a peek at your own trials and look for the lessons, blessings and opportunity to become better (not bitter).
I have a hunch your heart will expand and your thankfulness will be felt by the very people in your life.
Thankfulness changes everything–and I know you’ll be thankful for this amazing recipe, it’s been well loved by thousands of people for years. Enjoy!
Smashing Pumpkin Soup (from Saving Dinner by Leanne Ely, Ballantine)
Serves 6
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups pumpkin puree (sometimes called 100% pumpkin NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING)
3/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups milk
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
In a soup pot, heat oil over medium high heat and saute onions. Cook till very soft and add remaining ingredients, except milk. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes. Add milk and continue to cook (but not boil–it will break) for another 5 minutes.
Per Serving: 131 Calories; 6g Fat; 7g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 11mg Cholesterol; 553mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain (Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Fat.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: A huge spinach salad and whole grain rolls are all you need.
Leanne Ely is a NYT bestselling author and the creator of SavingDinner.com, the original menu planning website, bringing families back to the dinner table for over 15 years.
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