Attitude of Gratitude

It seems rather unfortunate and perhaps a bit disingenuous that here in the States (and Canada, too) only one day each year is set aside to be thankful.  And it’s also a bit disappointing that it has become a day where we stuff ourselves with food the entire day, maybe watch parades and football which have very little to do with actual gratitude, though some may be quite grateful for them.  We may be grateful for an additional day off or having a day to spend with family or friends. Some families may even go around the dinner table and think of something to be thankful for.  Can you tell Thanksgiving is not my favorite holiday? I don’t want to sound like the Grinch Who Stole Thanksgiving, but even the history of the holiday itself has been glorified into a lovely sit down between the Pilgrims and Indians that lead to long term peace between the two groups.  There was a lot more to the story and not much of it was something to be thankful about. 

My cynicism about the holiday may have more to do with the hours of preparation and the endless pile of dirty dishes than actually disagreeing with the purpose of it.  Of course it’s good to have a day to express gratitude for all our blessings.  It seems to me, however, that if you aren’t grateful on the other 364 days of the year, it doesn’t mean much to set aside one day.

I know that in my own life, an attitude of gratitude is necessary in the day to day to  keep a positive perspective and it has to become an ongoing habit of living. It’s more than just feeling thankful in any given moment, it’s a mindset that allows us to take the good and bad that life hands us and still find a way to be grateful for what we learn in the journey.  We don’t always feel particularly thankful when we are standing in the muck and the mire, but perhaps down the road we will get a sense that we grew through it all and that there was a purpose. 

So here’s my suggestion.  Wherever you are in the world, and regardless of whether you celebrate a day called Thanksgiving, take some time to come up with a list of things that you are especially thankful for.  I already have a few:  family, friends, good food to eat, a comfy place to live, the beauty of creation, health, being able to use my gifts and passions, faith, security, joy, peace…..all the big things, of course.  But also I’m thankful for so many little things like hugs from my grandkids, my journal, photographs, hooded sweatshirts, books, campfires, my mini deck, sunny days…an endless list of little joys. What does your thankful list include? Even if you are going through hard times, no doubt there are things you can count as blessings through it all.  So take a minute, or an hour, or a day, or EVERY day to focus on those things you’re grateful for.  And just maybe Thanksgiving will seem more real than turkey, parades, and football.  Happy Thanksgiving every day of the year!