Warrior Thanksgiving - Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks. - St. Ambrose

The great saint and father of the Church was quite right. As we approach Thanksgiving, I wanted to offer a warrior's perspective and share a little tactic you can use (that few utilize) to show your loved ones just how much you care. I'll share the tactic at the end of the blog. 

As I wrote in my book, Warrior Attitude: 21 Ways to Think and Act Like a Warrior that will Transform Your Outlook on Life, "A mark of a true warrior is giving credit where credit is due. Warriors recognize the efforts of all ... What is a General without his soldiers?"

Likewise, what are you without the support of others? You might be tempted to think you have accomplished most things on your own - but this is an insidious lie of your pride. As the saying goes, "There is no such thing as a self-made man." 

Warriors know this to be true. They realize that every person has a role to play and that each one is an important spoke in the wheel. If you want to live more like a warrior and a protector, then go out of your way this Thanksgiving to really express your gratitude and give credit where credit is due. 

As the Wisest Man who ever lived once said, "Give and you shall receive." When you give credit, credit is given to you. When you withhold credit, or take credit, credit is taken from you. Warriors understand this. Do you?

​I told you I would give you a tactic to use this weekend to show gratitude and to give credit where credit is due. Here it is: Write your loved ones (parents, spouse, children, etc.) a handwritten letter expressing what you give them credit for and what you are thankful for. 

If your wife has worked hard preparing the food, give her credit for that. If your husband worked hard around the house to fix appliances before guests arrived, give him credit for that. You must look for things to give people credit for. Do this for your loved ones this Thanksgiving/Credit-giving. Make sure it is handwritten!

It does not need to be long or complicated. Keep it simple and sincere. Remember, the only way to improve yourself on the level of virtue is to practice virtue. If you wanted to get stronger legs, you must exercise the legs. Doing bench-press would not suffice to build up your legs. 

Likewise, if you want to grow in virtue (and giving credit where credit is due is strongly connected to the virtues of kindness, generosity, charity, and love) then practice giving credit this Thanksgiving. 

Living in the battleground,

Happy Bu-giving!
​
~The Warrior Speaker

P.S. I will say more about virtue in my soon-to-released new book. I have interviewed 73 professional protectors and warriors asking them about what virtues and characteristics make a protector the most successful.

It is a great extension from and following Warrior Attitude. 

This is a historic work, the likes of which does not exist and has never been seen. If you want more information about it, please send an email to InfoWarriorSpeaker@gmail.com

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. - Cicero