There's always a reason to be thankful
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope each and everyone of you are thankful for something or someone this Thanksgiving season. Enjoy some time with family and friends, and if you know someone who is alone on Thanksgiving, invite them to join your Thanksgiving gathering.
Everyone’s lives are different with all of us having different attitudes and circumstances that result in different outcomes. There are times that we all feel some degree of despair in our lives and find it difficult to have a thankful mindset. It can be tempting to be bitter, envious, or maybe even jealous when we don’t feel like we get our fair share of resources, joyous relationships, or good health. But don’t let those moments consume or ruin you. You always have something to be thankful for regardless of your circumstances. So this Thanksgiving season try to find things you are thankful for and place them at the forefront of your thoughts. Here are some things worth being thankful for:
First and foremost, the fact you’re
alive is a great reason to be thankful.
You’ve been given an opportunity to
be a human being on Earth. Just think
about that for a moment. If you didn’t
have that opportunity, you’d never know
the joys associated with your senses or
the intellectual enlightenment brought
on by learning new things. The overall
experience of life is certainly a gift that
we should be grateful for. Enjoy your
gift for as long as you can. 
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Next, America is a great place to live. In America you can choose any kind of life you want (legally) without reprisal if you’re willing to put in the effort required to be capable or qualified to do what it is you want to do. Regardless of your background or situation, there are opportunities for you if you are willing to make an honest effort. Even people born in poor and broken down neighborhoods have avenues to take if they’re willing to travel them. Other countries are similar to America indeed, but have more challenges associated with war, poverty, government regulation, or disease. Be thankful you live in a country that offers great economic opportunities, adequate welfare and healthcare systems, and freedom of choice and activities.
Despite all of these things, everyone’s
situation is different. Obviously, some
people are more fortunate and wealthy
than others. However, if you’re able to
pay your bills, live in a building, eat
meals, stay warm and safe, or are in good
health, you have a reason to be thankful.
Somewhere, someplace, someone is not
so lucky. Somewhere, someone is laying
on a sewer grate trying to stay warm.
Elsewhere, someone is standing in line
at a soup kitchen for a meal they can’t
afford (or they are pilfering through a
garbage dumpster near a restaurant).
Or maybe someone, somewhere, is sick
and has no healthcare insurance. Or
how about the person who just came
home to find out that their house burned
to the ground? Somewhere in a nursing
home is someone sitting in a chair in a
hallway and no one is coming to visit
them. In a shelter service somewhere,
a woman and her child are sleeping on
cots because of a violent man and they
have nowhere else to go. Practically all
around us are couples going through a
painful divorce. Somewhere, someone
was diagnosed with terminal cancer
and told they only have six months left
to live. Somewhere in a gang-ridden
neighborhood is someone trying to get
home without getting mugged or shot.
Somewhere, someone has it worse or is
suffering more than you.
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Of course you may have a legitimate issue that sets you back temporarily, but that’s all it has to be: a temporary thing. We all have and feel them from time to time. It’s how you think and what you do afterwards that determines if your setback is temporary or permanent. Being thankful for what you have is a first, great step in not letting your setback linger on longer than necessary.
Lastly, if you are fortunate enough to be rich in wealth, be thankful to God. And if you can find it in your heart, occasionally foot the bill for others who are more strapped financially. Or perhaps find a verified charitable organization, a poor family, or an important cause and provide some of your resources to help make the world a better place. Of course you don’t have to be rich to share your resources--all of us, regardless of financial status, can and should give of ourselves and resources when we can.
Years ago a wise man gave me some great insight. He told me I already have what I need and to not waste time needing what I want. That’s when I learned to be grateful for what I have and to know it’s enough.
This Thanksgiving, be thankful and grateful for everything you have and enjoy some time with family and friends.
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ The End ~
