I wanted to write
a piece for Thanksgiving and I gave it much thought. Normally I write about
something that has touched me, a person, an encounter etc, but this year I need
to voice my opinion and get something out that is truly bothering me this year.
I have scrolled down facebook many times, checked out my
twitter feed and spoken with many people over the last month and I am very sad
by what I have seen, read and heard.
Tomorrow is a day to give thanks, thanks for so many
blessings that we are given and instead of seeing people give thanks and
gratefulness for all that they have, I have seen a trend of bitterness, griping, and overall complaining about some of the dumbest stuff I have
ever seen.
I will take this opportunity to remind you all, and hey, myself
included of all that we have to be thankful for. So bear with me for a few
minutes and hear me out before you cast my words aside.
For one, if you are reading this, it means you have sight,
it means you have some form of internet connection either via using someone’s
wifi or you paid your bill and have the luxury of being online.
Sight people! You can see to read, post jokes, drive, look
into the eyes of those you love and admire all that is beautiful around you.
If you are cooking a meal for tomorrow, it means you had the
money to purchase food and are likely to have a roof over your head, maybe not
your dream home, but you are sheltered from the elements.
If you waited in line to buy that food, it means you had
time, a means to get to the grocery store and enough energy to get there.
If you have people coming to your home, or you are going to
someone else’s home, it means you have people who love you, people who want to
be in your presence.
I have been very disheartened by the amount of complaining I
have encountered lately. People complaining about their spouses, for petty
reasons, people griping about stores being too full, people griping about “having”
to cook, people saying negative remarks about their work; you have a job, you
have a spouse, you have money to purchase food, you have a home to cook in, let
alone shelter.
Think of those who would gladly trade with you. Those who
are suffering from extreme grief, because there is an empty place at the table,
people who can’t afford to eat, let alone feast, people struggling to find
work, those that are so disabled that they can’t see, speak, hear or move,
people who are sick and can’t receive medical care or afford it, the childless
women and men who would love to have child to share this holiday with, those
that are without so many of things we are so very blessed to have.
Also think of your safety, we often overlook our people
working in a public service job who won’t be at home, they are either serving
their country at home or abroad and can’t be with those they love, or our
police officers, firemen, EMS workers, 911 communicators, nurses, who work
every day to ensure our well being, and they will be working while we enjoy our
time in front of the TV watching football and indulging in one more piece of turkey
or pie.
I think it has become too commonplace, too easy to forget
all that we have. For this reason holidays bother me. Thanksgiving is not all
about turkey and game time. It is about looking within yourself and seeing the
things you have been richly blessed with.
Tomorrow I beg of you, think of how lucky you are, there are
people in this world who envy you, yes, you. No matter how huge your problems
seem, there is someone out there who has it much worse than you.
So instead of griping, complaining and being childish, try
giving thanks, try giving back, won’t cost you one penny if you can’t afford
it. Kindness can be shown without money.
Tonight I received a message from an old friend, wishing me
a happy Thanksgiving, and it let me know that I was in someone’s thoughts, and
it touched me to the core, I mattered to them and they took the time to tell
me. It is that easy.
Amidst all the violence, hate and negativity, stop. Stop,
look up, look around, and use your sight, hearing, sense of touch, smell and voice
to reach another person. You might be the only reason they have to be thankful
this year.
Have a big ol heaping helping of some gratitude gravy, and
be sure to share some with others.
I wish all of you a beautiful day, I hope you feel
surrounded by love and grace, and if there is someone out there who feels
alone, sad or in pain, you are in my thoughts and you are not truly alone.
Hug you spouse, say kind words, thank our service people,
love your kids, help someone up and when you do, you will truly understand what
Thanksgiving should mean.
Here are my thoughts.
Teresa ;)
Copyright 2014 ©
No comments:
Post a Comment