Quite a number of the blogs I read regularly are from the USA and of course there is a lot of chatter right now about Thanksgiving. What a wonderful holiday to have and celebrate; realistically I suppose it is better for those who have places to go and a bit lonely for others. The whole idea of a celebration of Thanksgiving seems very special. As far as I can see from the net, it is a combination of thanksgiving for the nation, for the harvest and for one another. In the UK many churches will have a special Harvest Festival service, but there is no equivalent in the life of the country.
At this time of cuts it would be a good way to focus on all the blessings we have instead of the things we will lose, if the media is to be believed. The trouble with a so-called free press is that they can stir up anxieties and discontent as well as being a force for good. Many of us older people find it increasingly harder to be positive, instead we give way to fears and anxieties. The same holds true for the vulnerable and disabled.
When we hear of Ireland facing a the need for a massive bailout and the fact that we are borrowing money to lend money to them, it seems as if the whole world is going mad. I can’t pretend to understand the complexities of the economic system and I get worn out trying.
Maybe it will help to count some blessings today:
- The sun is shining and the frost sparkles on the grass
- There is the faint sound of happy children playing in the school playground along the road.
- My Sacred Space book has been posted from the States
- We are going to visit Son #3 this afternoon and he usually cheers us up
- The birds are busy feeding from the nuts and seeds
- There’s no housework till tomorrow
- We still live in a democracy
- I’m well stocked up with books to read
There are loads more blessings that could be added. What would your list include today?
The earth keeps turning and the seasons keep coming in spite of what we are doing to them. My children still seem to enjoy my company, my grandchildren are healthy. My limbs and brain still seem to work, albeit at a slower pace. Knowing that my time here is limited enables me to stop and appreciate things more than I did when I was younger.
As I age, the celebration of Thanksgiving becomes even more important to me. It has become my favorite holiday because there is absolutely no gift giving involved. So many beautiful holidays have been skewed with the practices of giving gifts, competition for the best gift, commercialization …. it really saddens me. But Thanksgiving is outward focused, causing me to look around at the people in my life, the physical comforts and security I have; it makes me count what I have, turning away from the focus on shortages in my life. And while it is outward in that way, it is introspective and brings me to a place that is so peaceful.
I am thankful for the richness of family and friends.
I am thankful for having enough.
I am thankful for the challenges that raise my awareness of “the enough” in my life.
I am thankful for life experiences, and what they have brought me and taught me.
I am thankful for my relationship with God.
Freda, Thanks for you kind comments about our National Holiday. The statistics show more people celebrate this holiday than any other. Because it is a secular holiday, it cuts across all religions and groups, if folks in other parts of the world want to adopt it I say more power to them.
Thanks for joining in with your comments. Lyn, I hadn’t thought about their being less pressure due to the fact that no presents are involved. Of course that would make things better. And it is a celebration for everyone, thanks for pointing that out Dianne. It’s also lovely to share in with your blessings. Lots of food for thought. For this evening I am going to concentrate on having “enough”. It has been a busy day so tomorrow is a rest day……… bliss!
Anxieties and discontent are (only) troubles if they’re misplaced 🙂
One thing you’ve achieved, though, is to make me think of `blessings’ not so much as part of the phrase as something to be counted, but rather as fragments of eternal life, perhaps because that characterises the things in which we find joy. 🙂
AND I have your blog post to read today!
My list includes coming to you and reading your list.
Thankfulness is not something I usually think about.
I have also spent the evening with people who believe in the basic goodness and kindness and all round benevolence of human beings towards all other human beings.
When I didn’t agree with them I was told I have it wrong.
Perhaps that is a hopeful sign, even if I don’t quite believe what they believe?
To my list of blessings of God’s grace, family, health and more, this year I can add bloggers who inspire me to look deeper, from a different perspective and with faith that, even if I don’t have an answer, a loving God does.
Your comments continue to inspire me greatly and for that I am thankful and feel blessed! I wonder if we alter our attitudes of mind when we share good things? It is so easy to share the bad things and to feel helpless at the bad things people do to others. I have a major blessing today (Thurs 25th) – see the post and picture about Misty.
Thanksgiving is a very special holiday. For me, it is all about family. I was grateful that my daughter could make it out today to celebrate with us.