HOW A $5,000 CRUISE CAN BECOME A $15,000+ VACATION Part 2

HOW A $5,000 CRUISE CAN BECOME A $15,000+ VACATION Part 2

Imagine a family of four booking what appears to be a reasonably priced Alaskan cruise. The advertised fare looks attractive, and they believe they've found a great vacation.

Then the spending begins.

Initial Cruise Fare

Cruise Fare: $5,000

Before You Even Leave Home

Travel insurance: +$400

Hotel the night before departure: +$300

Parking or airport transportation: +$200

Airfare (if not included): +$1,200

Running Total: $7,100

Once You Board

Drink package upgrades: +$800

Internet package: +$250

Specialty dining: +$300

Premium coffee purchases: +$100

Spa treatment for two: +$400

Professional photographs: +$250

Casino gambling: +$500

Designer watch, jewelry, or souvenirs onboard: +$600

Automatic gratuities or service charges (if not prepaid): +$500

Laundry service: +$75

Running Total: $10,875

Shore Excursions

Whale watching: +$700

Zip lining: +$1,000

Helicopter glacier tour: +$1,500

Kayaking excursion: +$500

Transportation in port: +$100

Running Total: $14,675

Shopping in Port

Jewelry purchase: +$1,500

Souvenirs and gifts: +$300

Local food and snacks: +$150

Clothing and Alaska memorabilia: +$250

Running Total: $16,875

Other Purchases

Future cruise deposit: +$500

Charitable raffle or onboard fundraiser: +$50

Extra tips for exceptional service: +$150

Miscellaneous impulse purchases: +$300

Final Vacation Cost

Original Cruise Advertised: $5,000

Actual Vacation Cost: Approximately $17,875

Now, not every family will spend anywhere near this amount. Many travelers deliberately avoid most of these purchases and have an excellent vacation. Others may happily choose several of these experiences because they value them.

The point isn't that anyone is forced to spend this money.

The point is that the opportunities are everywhere.

The cruise fare gets you onto the ship.

Everything after that becomes a decision.

Some decisions create unforgettable memories.

Others simply create a larger credit card bill.

My advice is simple.

Walk onto the ship with a budget.

Decide before you board what experiences truly matter to you.

Say "yes" to the ones that will become lifelong memories.

Don't feel obligated to say "yes" to everything else.

Because the most spectacular experiences in Alaska are still the ones that cost absolutely nothing.

The glaciers.

The mountains.

The whales.

The waterfalls.

The bald eagles.

The endless forests.

Nature doesn't send you an invoice.

Those are the memories that will stay with you forever.

Bill Conley
America's Favorite Life Coach

 

THE NORWEGIAN CRUISE MONEY MACHINE

THE NORWEGIAN CRUISE MONEY MACHINE

How My Dream Alaskan Vacation Became One Long Sales Pitch

There was a time when I believed an Alaskan cruise would be one of the greatest vacations of my life. Every commercial showed towering glaciers, breaching whales, soaring bald eagles, charming fishing villages, and some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. It was presented as an opportunity to disconnect from the pressures of everyday life and reconnect with nature.

The scenery delivered.

Everything else left me asking one question.

At what point does a vacation stop being a vacation and become one continuous sales presentation?

After spending time aboard the Norwegian Joy, I came away with one overwhelming impression.

The business model felt less like hospitality and more like maximizing revenue at nearly every opportunity.

I understand that cruise lines exist to make money. Every successful business does. But there is a difference between offering optional experiences and making guests feel as though they are constantly being marketed to from the moment they wake up until they go to bed.

That is exactly how I felt.

Every Day Begins With Another Opportunity to Spend

The cruise fare gets you on the ship.

After that, it often feels like everything else comes with another price tag.

Specialty dining.

Drink packages.

Internet upgrades.

Spa treatments.

Professional photographs.

Casino promotions.

Art auctions.

Jewelry sales.

Luxury boutiques.

Future cruise deposits.

Premium entertainment.

Exclusive experiences.

Everywhere you turn, there seems to be another invitation to spend more money.

Eventually you stop seeing the ship as a vacation destination and start seeing it as a floating shopping mall.

The Ports Felt Like Tourist Shopping Districts

The biggest disappointment wasn't Alaska.

It was what many of the cruise stops had become.

I expected authentic coastal communities where local culture would be the centerpiece.

Instead, much of what I experienced near the cruise docks consisted of jewelry stores, souvenir shops, T-shirt stores, candy stores, and businesses designed primarily for cruise passengers.

If your dream vacation is shopping, you'll probably enjoy it.

If your dream is experiencing authentic Alaska, you may have to look well beyond the main tourist areas.

Excursions Can Become Shockingly Expensive

Then come the excursions.

Whale watching.

Zip lining.

Helicopter tours.

Dog sledding.

Fishing.

Kayaking.

Glacier adventures.

Many of these experiences sound incredible.

Many probably are.

But the prices can be eye-opening.

A family of four can easily spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars in addition to what they've already paid for the cruise.

The advertised vacation can quickly become far more expensive than many travelers expect.

Alaska Is the Star, Not the Sales Pitch

Here's the irony.

The greatest part of the vacation costs nothing.

Standing on deck as your ship glides past glaciers.

Watching whales surface beside the ship.

Seeing bald eagles soaring overhead.

Looking at mountains that have stood for thousands of years.

Those moments don't require an excursion ticket.

They don't require a premium package.

They don't require another purchase.

Nature provides them free of charge.

My Advice

If you're thinking about taking an Alaskan cruise, do your homework.

Understand exactly what is included.

Research excursion prices before you leave home.

Set a realistic budget.

Don't feel pressured to buy every package that's offered.

Spend less time in the jewelry stores and more time on the outside decks.

Because when this vacation is over, I don't believe you'll remember the necklace, the watch, or the souvenir T-shirt.

You'll remember Glacier Bay.

You'll remember the mountains.

You'll remember the whales.

You'll remember the silence.

Those are the moments worth traveling for.

Final Thoughts

Would I recommend seeing Alaska?

Without hesitation.

Would I recommend going into the experience with your eyes wide open?

Absolutely.

The true treasure of Alaska isn't found in another shopping district or another sales presentation.

It is found in the breathtaking landscapes that no cruise line created and no salesperson can improve upon.

The cruise may get you there.

But Alaska itself is the real destination.

If I could give one piece of advice to every future passenger, it would be this:

Don't let the constant opportunities to spend distract you from the priceless beauty that surrounds you.

That beauty is the reason you came.

Everything else is optional.

Bill Conley
America's Favorite Life Coach

 

GINNY THE GUINEA PIG LEARNS TO SHARE - A Children's Story

 

GINNY THE GUINEA PIG LEARNS TO SHARE

VALUE WE ARE LEARNING:

Sharing means willingly giving some of what we have to help or bring joy to others. Sharing can involve toys, time, knowledge, kindness, and even attention. When we share, we strengthen friendships and create happiness for everyone involved. Sharing teaches us to think about others and not just ourselves. In this story, Ginny discovers that what she gains from sharing is far greater than what she gives away.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Sharing is one of the simplest ways to show kindness and love. When we share with others, we help create friendships built on trust and generosity. Sharing teaches us to think about the needs of others and not just our own desires. A generous heart often receives more joy than it gives away. True happiness is not found in keeping everything for ourselves but in blessing others whenever we can. Small acts of sharing can make a big difference in someone's day. The more we practice generosity, the easier it becomes to be kind and thoughtful. A sharing heart is a happy heart.

Ginny the Guinea Pig lived in a cozy little cottage beside a beautiful garden filled with colorful flowers.

The garden belonged to Mrs. Thompson, who loved growing vegetables, berries, and sunflowers.

Every morning, Ginny would wander through the garden paths, admiring the beauty all around her.

But there was one thing Ginny loved more than flowers.

Strawberries.

She absolutely loved strawberries.

In fact, strawberries were her favorite food in the entire world.

Each spring, Mrs. Thompson planted a special strawberry patch.

When summer arrived, the strawberries became bright red, juicy, and delicious.

Ginny looked forward to strawberry season all year long.

One warm summer morning, Ginny hurried to the patch and gasped.

The strawberries were finally ripe.

They glistened in the morning sunshine like tiny red jewels.

"Oh my goodness," Ginny whispered.

"There are so many."

She immediately began picking strawberries.

She filled one basket.

Then another.

Then another.

Soon she had gathered more strawberries than she could possibly eat.

But instead of stopping, she continued collecting them.

"I want to make sure I have enough," she told herself.

By lunchtime, Ginny had piled baskets of strawberries throughout her cottage.

Every shelf held strawberries.

Every table held strawberries.

Even her windowsills held strawberries.

Ginny smiled proudly.

"Now I have plenty."

The next day, several of her friends stopped by.

Tommy the Turtle arrived first.

"Hello, Ginny."

"Hello, Tommy."

Tommy noticed the baskets immediately.

"Wow. That's a lot of strawberries."

Ginny smiled.

"Aren't they wonderful?"

"They sure are."

Tommy hesitated.

"I was hoping to pick some today, but it looks like the birds got most of the berries in my part of the garden."

Ginny glanced at her overflowing baskets.

For a moment, she considered sharing.

Then she thought about how much she loved strawberries.

"What if I run out?" she wondered.

"I'm sorry, Tommy."

Tommy nodded politely.

"That's okay."

He slowly walked away.

Later that afternoon, Molly the Mouse stopped by.

"Those strawberries look delicious."

"They are."

"I haven't found many this year."

Ginny looked at her baskets again.

"I'm sorry."

Molly smiled kindly.

"Maybe next time."

As the day continued, more friends visited.

Each admired Ginny's strawberries.

Each hoped to enjoy a few.

And each left empty-handed.

That evening, Ginny sat surrounded by her collection.

At first, she felt pleased.

But something felt strange.

The strawberries no longer seemed quite as exciting.

The next morning, she noticed several berries had become soft.

A few had begun spoiling.

The following day, even more strawberries spoiled.

Ginny frowned.

"This isn't good."

No matter how many strawberries she ate, she could not keep up.

The baskets remained full.

Soon, the cottage smelled unpleasant.

Ginny felt discouraged.

All those beautiful strawberries were being wasted.

As she sat staring at the baskets, she noticed something outside her window.

Children were playing together.

One child shared a ball.

Another shared a snack.

Everyone seemed happy.

Ginny watched for several minutes.

Then she remembered Tommy.

And Molly.

And all the others.

A guilty feeling settled in her heart.

Maybe keeping everything for herself had not been the best choice.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.

She jumped to her feet.

"I know what to do!"

Ginny spent the entire afternoon preparing.

She cleaned the freshest strawberries.

She arranged them into beautiful baskets.

She tied colorful ribbons around each one.

The next morning, she loaded the baskets into a little wagon.

Then she began visiting her friends.

Her first stop was Tommy's house.

Tommy opened the door.

"Good morning, Ginny."

Ginny smiled.

"I brought you something."

Tommy looked inside the basket.

His eyes widened.

"Strawberries?"

"Lots of strawberries."

Tommy grinned.

"Thank you!"

Ginny felt a warm feeling inside.

It felt surprisingly wonderful.

Next, she visited Molly.

Then Daisy.

Then Callie.

Then Benny.

Then Henry.

Then Freddy.

At every stop, smiles appeared.

At every stop, gratitude filled the air.

At every stop, Ginny felt happier.

By lunchtime, most of her strawberries were gone.

Yet instead of feeling sad, she felt better than ever.

That afternoon, Tommy invited everyone to his house.

Molly brought homemade muffins.

Daisy brought lemonade.

Callie brought a painting.

Freddy brought flowers.

Everyone contributed something.

Soon a wonderful picnic filled the meadow.

As the friends laughed and shared stories, Ginny realized something important.

The strawberries had brought much more happiness when they were shared than when they were stored away.

Tommy smiled at her.

"These are the best strawberries I've ever tasted."

Everyone agreed.

Ginny laughed.

"They taste better when friends enjoy them together."

The group cheered.

As the sun began setting, Ginny looked around at her smiling friends.

The meadow was filled with laughter.

The picnic tables were filled with treats.

The hearts around her were filled with joy.

And she finally understood something she would never forget.

The greatest gift was not having more than everyone else.

The greatest gift was sharing what you had.

From that day forward, whenever strawberry season arrived, Ginny became known for something special.

Not for having the most strawberries.

But for sharing them with everyone.

And every summer became sweeter because of it.

MORAL OF THE STORY POEM:

Sharing brings a special cheer,

To friends and loved ones far and near.

A generous heart will always find,

More happiness through being kind.

The things we share can help us see,

How wonderful friendship can be.

When kindness grows, and hearts unite,

The world becomes more warm and bright.

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN:

1. Why did Ginny collect so many strawberries?
2. How did Ginny feel when she kept everything for herself?
3. What changed after Ginny began sharing?
4. Why do you think sharing makes people happy?
5. What is something you could share with someone this week?

 

HOLLY THE HAMSTER LEARNS RESPONSIBILITY - A Children's Story

 

HOLLY THE HAMSTER LEARNS RESPONSIBILITY

VALUE WE ARE LEARNING:

Responsibility means doing what you are supposed to do, even when no one is watching. Responsible people keep their promises, complete their tasks, and take care of the things entrusted to them. Being responsible helps others trust us and depend on us. Responsibility teaches us self-discipline, organization, and good habits. In this story, Holly learns that taking responsibility today makes tomorrow much easier.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Responsibility is one of the most important habits we can develop. Responsible people understand that their choices affect both themselves and others. Completing tasks on time builds trust and confidence. Small responsibilities practiced daily often lead to bigger successes later in life. Being organized helps us avoid unnecessary stress and frustration. Responsible people do not wait for others to solve their problems because they take ownership of their actions. Good habits developed today can create wonderful opportunities tomorrow. A responsible person becomes someone others can count on and respect.

Holly the Hamster lived in a cheerful little house at the end of Acorn Lane.

She was energetic, friendly, and always busy.

At least she looked busy.

The truth was that Holly had a problem.

She was a master at putting things off.

If her room needed cleaning, she would do it later.

If her homework needed finishing, she would do it tomorrow.

If her toys needed putting away, she would get to them eventually.

Unfortunately, "eventually" rarely arrived.

One Monday morning, Holly woke up excited.

The annual Maple Meadow Talent Show would take place on Saturday.

Animals from all over the valley would participate.

Holly planned to perform a special hula hoop routine.

She had been talking about it for weeks.

"I can't wait!" she told her friends.

"Have you been practicing?" asked Callie the Cat.

Holly smiled nervously.

"Not yet."

"Saturday is only a few days away."

"I know."

"When will you practice?"

Holly shrugged.

"Later."

That afternoon, Holly planned to practice.

Instead, she spent time watching butterflies.

The next day, she planned to practice.

Instead, she played games with Benny the Bunny.

Wednesday arrived.

Still no practice.

Thursday arrived.

Still no practice.

Friday arrived.

Still no practice.

Each day, Holly told herself the same thing.

"I have plenty of time."

Then Saturday morning arrived.

Suddenly, Holly realized something terrible.

The talent show was only a few hours away.

Panic filled her heart.

"Oh no!"

She rushed outside carrying her hula hoop.

She attempted her routine.

The hoop fell.

She tried again.

The hoop fell again.

She stumbled.

She lost her balance.

Nothing seemed to work.

Tears filled her eyes.

"I should have practiced."

Her mother gently sat beside her.

"What happened?"

"I kept saying I would do it later."

Her mother nodded.

"And now?"

"Now I don't know what to do."

Her mother smiled kindly.

"Responsibility means doing important things before they become emergencies."

Holly thought carefully about those words.

They made sense.

A little later, Tommy the Turtle stopped by.

He noticed Holly looked upset.

"What's wrong?"

Holly explained everything.

Tommy listened patiently.

Then he said something surprising.

"You know, I used to have the same problem."

"You did?"

Tommy nodded.

"I would put things off all the time."

"What changed?"

Tommy smiled.

"I learned to do a little bit every day."

Holly looked puzzled.

"A little bit?"

"That's right."

Tommy pointed toward her hula hoop.

"You don't need to practice for hours. You simply need to practice consistently."

Holly thought about that.

Maybe Tommy was right.

The talent show was still several hours away.

Perhaps she could improve.

So she began practicing.

The first attempt was shaky.

The second was better.

The third was smoother.

Slowly, her confidence returned.

Throughout the morning, she continued practicing.

Little by little, she improved.

When the talent show began that afternoon, Holly still felt nervous.

But she also felt prepared.

That was a very different feeling.

As she waited backstage, she watched other performers.

Some played instruments.

Some sang songs.

Some performed tricks.

Finally, the announcer called her name.

"Holly the Hamster!"

The crowd applauded.

Holly walked onto the stage.

For a moment, her stomach fluttered.

Then she remembered all the practice she had done that morning.

She took a deep breath.

The music started.

The hoop spun.

Holly smiled.

The routine flowed smoothly.

She twirled.

She spun.

She balanced.

The audience cheered.

When the performance ended, the crowd erupted into applause.

Holly beamed.

She had done it.

Afterward, she sat beneath a tree with Tommy.

"You were wonderful," he said.

"Thank you."

Tommy smiled.

"What did you learn?"

Holly laughed.

"That waiting until the last minute is a terrible plan."

Tommy chuckled.

"Anything else?"

Holly nodded.

"A little work each day is much easier than a lot of work all at once."

Tommy grinned.

"Exactly."

The following week, Holly decided to make some changes.

She created a simple checklist.

Every morning, she reviewed her responsibilities.

Every afternoon, she completed her tasks.

Every evening, she prepared for the next day.

At first, it felt strange.

Then it became easier.

Soon her room stayed cleaner.

Her homework was finished earlier.

Her chores were completed on time.

She even had more free time.

One afternoon, Callie visited.

"Holly, your room looks amazing."

"Thank you."

"You seem much less stressed."

Holly smiled.

"I am."

"What changed?"

Holly held up her checklist.

"Responsibility."

Callie nodded approvingly.

Over time, others began noticing the difference.

Friends trusted Holly more.

Teachers praised her effort.

Her parents appreciated her dependability.

Most importantly, Holly felt proud of herself.

She no longer worried about forgotten tasks or unfinished projects.

She had learned to take responsibility.

As the seasons passed, Holly discovered something important.

Responsibility was not about making life harder.

It was about making life easier.

The more responsible she became, the more freedom she enjoyed.

And whenever someone asked Holly for advice, she always shared the same simple lesson.

"Do today's work today."

Because she had learned that responsible habits create successful days, successful weeks, and successful lives.

MORAL OF THE STORY POEM:

Do your work and do your best,

Then your mind can truly rest.

Little tasks done every day,

Help keep worries far away.

Responsibility helps us grow,

More than we may ever know.

When we finish what we start,

Success follows a prepared heart.

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN:

1. What mistake did Holly make before the talent show?
2. What advice did Tommy give Holly?
3. How did practicing a little each day help Holly?
4. Why is responsibility important?
5. What responsibilities do you have at home or at school?

 

 

GOLDIE THE GOLDFISH APPRECIATES HER BLESSINGS - A Children's Story

GOLDIE THE GOLDFISH APPRECIATES HER BLESSINGS

VALUE WE ARE LEARNING:

Gratitude means appreciating the good things we already have instead of always wishing for something else. A grateful heart focuses on blessings rather than disappointments. Gratitude helps us feel happier, more content, and more joyful. When we appreciate what we have, we often discover that our lives are already filled with wonderful gifts. In this story, Goldie learns that happiness begins with gratitude.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

A grateful heart is one of the greatest treasures a person can possess. Gratitude helps us notice the blessings that surround us every day. When we constantly focus on what we do not have, we often miss the wonderful things we already enjoy. Happiness grows when we appreciate our family, friends, opportunities, and experiences. Gratitude changes the way we see the world and helps us find joy in ordinary moments. Thankful people tend to be happier because they focus on abundance rather than scarcity. Every day offers countless reasons to be grateful if we take the time to notice them. A grateful heart turns what we have into enough.

Goldie the Goldfish lived in a beautiful glass aquarium in Mrs. Thompson's sunny living room.

The aquarium was large and sparkling clean.

Colorful plants swayed gently in the water.

Smooth stones covered the bottom.

A bubbling castle stood near the center.

Every day, sunlight danced through the glass, creating shimmering patterns throughout the tank.

Most fish would have loved living there.

But Goldie wasn't satisfied.

She spent much of her time wishing for something else.

"I wish I lived in a giant lake," she sighed.

"I wish I had more room."

"I wish I could swim farther."

"I wish I had a different home."

Whenever her friends visited, Goldie talked about all the things she wished were different.

One afternoon, Molly the Mouse stopped by.

"Your aquarium is beautiful."

Goldie frowned.

"I guess."

"You guess?"

"I wish I lived somewhere bigger."

Molly looked around.

The aquarium seemed wonderful to her.

Still, she smiled politely.

The next day Benny the Bunny visited.

"That castle looks amazing."

Goldie shrugged.

"It's okay."

"You don't like it?"

"I wish I had something better."

Benny tilted his head.

"What could be better than a castle?"

Goldie didn't have an answer.

She simply wanted more.

A few days later, Mrs. Thompson brought home a new aquarium decoration.

It was a colorful treasure chest covered in shiny jewels.

The children who visited the house thought it was wonderful.

Goldie admired it for a few minutes.

Then she sighed.

"I wish I had something even bigger."

Nothing ever seemed enough.

One rainy afternoon, a powerful storm rolled through the neighborhood.

Thunder rumbled.

Rain pounded against the windows.

The wind howled outside.

Goldie watched from her aquarium.

As she looked through the window, she noticed something unusual.

A small bird sat shivering beneath a bush.

Its feathers were soaked.

The bird looked cold and miserable.

Nearby, a squirrel struggled through the rain carrying food.

A rabbit hurried across the yard searching for shelter.

The storm seemed difficult for everyone outside.

Goldie glanced around her aquarium.

The water was warm.

The tank was safe.

The food arrived every day.

She never worried about storms.

For the first time, she wondered if perhaps she had taken her blessings for granted.

The next morning, the storm had passed.

The sun returned.

Mrs. Thompson cleaned the aquarium and added fresh water.

Goldie watched as everything sparkled.

Then something unexpected happened.

Mrs. Thompson's young granddaughter visited.

She stood in front of the aquarium smiling.

"I wish I could live like Goldie."

Goldie blinked.

The little girl continued.

"She has a beautiful home."

"She always has food."

"She never gets wet when it rains."

"She gets to swim all day."

Goldie listened carefully.

The child sounded genuinely impressed.

For a moment, Goldie saw her aquarium through someone else's eyes.

It looked very different.

That afternoon, she began noticing things she had overlooked.

The colorful plants.

The bubbling castle.

The clean water.

The treasure chest.

The sunlight was dancing through the glass.

The friendly visitors who stopped by every day.

There were actually many wonderful things in her life.

The following morning, Freddy the Frog visited.

"How are you today?"

Goldie smiled.

"I'm wonderful."

Freddy looked surprised.

"You are?"

Goldie nodded.

"I've been thinking."

"About what?"

"About how lucky I am."

Freddy grinned.

"What changed?"

Goldie looked around her aquarium.

"I spent so much time wishing for things I didn't have that I forgot to appreciate what I do have."

Freddy smiled.

"That's a valuable lesson."

Over the next several days, Goldie made a new habit.

Every morning, she thought of three things she was grateful for.

Sometimes she was grateful for her warm water.

Sometimes she was grateful for her castle.

Sometimes she was grateful for her friends.

Sometimes she was grateful for Mrs. Thompson.

Sometimes she was simply grateful for another beautiful day.

The more she practiced gratitude, the happier she became.

Soon, everyone noticed the difference.

Molly visited again.

"You seem cheerful."

"I am."

Benny stopped by.

"You seem happier."

"I am."

Freddy laughed.

"What happened to all those wishes?"

Goldie smiled.

"They're still there."

"They are?"

"Sure."

"It's okay to have dreams."

Freddy nodded.

"But now I appreciate what I already have."

As summer turned to autumn, Goldie continued practicing gratitude.

Each day seemed brighter.

Each day seemed more joyful.

Nothing about her aquarium had changed.

The castle was the same.

The plants were the same.

The treasure chest was the same.

The difference was Goldie.

She had changed the way she looked at her life.

One evening, as the setting sun filled the aquarium with golden light, Goldie smiled.

For years, she had searched for happiness somewhere else.

Now she realized happiness had been swimming beside her all along.

It had been hidden inside gratitude.

And from that day forward, Goldie became known throughout Maple Meadow as the happiest goldfish anyone had ever met.

Not because she had the most.

But because she appreciated what she already had.

MORAL OF THE STORY POEM:

A grateful heart can help us see,

The many blessings meant for me.

The things we have each day and night,

Can fill our lives with joy and light.

Be thankful for the gifts you find,

For gratitude brings peace of mind.

The happiest hearts often discover,

Life's treasures were there all along to uncover.

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN:

1. Why was Goldie unhappy at the beginning of the story?
2. What helped Goldie realize how many blessings she already had?
3. How did practicing gratitude change Goldie's attitude?
4. What are three things you are thankful for today?
5. Why do you think grateful people are often happier?