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During holiday hustle, take time to count your blessings
WE ALL KNOW from experience that the world is an unfair place. Things seldom seem just or easy. It’s especially so in America today, where many people are struggling with job loss, health or financial issues, and a shaky economy.
When you look around and see others who seem to have everything you don’t or everything you want, it’s easy to feel bitter, resentful, jealous, angry, depressed – choose an appropriate adjective.
It’s easy to assume, too, that people who seem to have everything are content or happy.
But let’s face it – no one is 100-percent happy, 100 percent of the time. I know I’m not (and I know some people who’d be more than happy to tell you all about those times).
I go through phases in which I can’t seem to find a good thing to say about anything. Often in those cases I end up not saying much at all; it’s better than the alternative.
Earlier this month, a friend on one of the major social networking sites posted this challenge: “Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status: ‘Today, I am thankful for...’”
As someone who often dwells more on what’s lacking in life, I saw this as a great personal challenge – and I took it.
Let me tell you, some days it was downright hard to find something for which I was thankful! But I really tried to concentrate on looking on the bright side. For example, on one day I was less than excited to be awake and headed to work; I knew I had a jam-packed day ahead of me and was not looking forward to it. That day, I was remembering rare lazy days spent sleeping in. It’s a simple pleasure that I often take for granted, but on that day I appreciated lazy days all the more.
One day, I was thinking about how my young niece and nephew can make me laugh; another day, I was thinking about how much I love music.
Each day, it has become more of a challenge to seek out the things I usually take for granted, but I’ve begun to recognize that such things make my life a little easier, a little better, a little brighter.
One of my friends commented, “You sure are thankful for a lot of things.”
Now that I think about it, I truly am.
It was gratifying for me to see that other people picked up on the trend – whether from my comments or from those of other friends, I don’t know, but it was good to see other people consciously thinking about the blessings in their lives.
Many of my friends were thankful for life’s simple pleasures, like chocolate brownies on a rough day; a day spent with a daughter; friends to make them laugh; the weekend.
Sometimes they were thankful for necessities like having enough to eat; modern medicine; the love of a spouse; God’s mercies.
There’s a comment that some people tend to make when they don’t want to listen to others complain: “It could be worse.” In the past, that comment irritated me, partly because I knew it was true, and partly because I didn’t want to be reminded of the fact. Sometimes you just want someone to listen to you vent. Now, I can see the value in that statement.
After all, my life is full of people who care about me, who want me to be happy and to succeed, and for whom I want the same things. I have a wonderfully supportive family; we laugh together, we trust each other, we’re there for each other – no matter what. I have a few very good friends whom I trust with my secrets. I am healthy. My family is healthy. I have a good job. There are many things I’m able to do that I enjoy.
I have a comfortable home; clean water to drink; plenty to eat; warm clothing to wear; a bed to sleep in; access to health care.
I have rights and freedoms; I have a voice; I have dignity.
I have a God who loves me, who has given everything for me, who unceasingly forgives my many failings. Every sunset, every flower, every snowflake creates in me a sense of wonder at his love.
My life isn’t everything Iwant it to be, but it really could be worse. I’m grateful it’s not.
Tomorrow, when you’re stuffing your birds and running around like a turkey without a head because your entire extended family will be joining you for dinner... take a moment. Take a deep breath. And give thanks for every good thing in your life. Because it could be worse.
Stephanie Hartle is editor of Allied News. Published November 25, 2009. Pick up a copy at 201A Erie St., Grove City.
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