There is much to be Thankful for.

     What a year it has been! We have been pressed and challenged by every aspect of our lives in many ways. Obstacles have been overcome that we didn't even know existed. The struggle is real, and there are no easy answers to all the questions before us. Here's the deal, even though we are not unscathed, we ARE here. Yes, that is a good thing, and we need to realize that fact. Sure, we each have our wounds and scars from being 2020'ed. We may have stumbled and even fallen on our faces at times, but we have gotten back up.  It is time to pause, take a minute, tend to our injuries, build ourselves up for the rest of the year and what lies ahead, and just breathe for a minute.

The point is that the usefulness of our experiences is less about the experience than it is about the attitude we choose to take.  One of the most powerful statements about this is Charles Swindol's quote on attitude:

"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes"

     Despite the stumbling blocks and pitfalls of the year, there is much for which to be thankful.  Sometimes we need to break from the daily pressures and take a few moments to do a personal inventory. Do not get caught in the trap of comparing yourself to others. Look at you. Identify one thing you are thankful for, something you love. Smile about that thing, treasure it. Then think of another thing and keep going. That we have life itself is a blessing to be grateful for. If there is life, there is hope.

    We want all of you reading this to know how thankful we are for you. Like everyone else, we have faced unimagined obstacles this year. What has gotten us through are the kind words and support of Dowdle followers and fans. Your kind words and support have been the tonic that has helped us through the long hours and challenges. We want to thank you. Now, maybe more than ever, there IS much to be thankful for if we take the helm of our attitudes and look up, we've got this. Into the future!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of the team here at Dowdle Folk Art.