-
Yeah yeah, you're thankful.
- Nov 23, 2009 at 8:24 PM
- By
- Comments (45) Total Views (2167) Everyone can see this journal post.
Every year at this time, we all suddenly sit up and say, "Hey! I'm really fortunate to have all that I have and for a few days I'm going to stop bitching about what I don't have! I'm going to be thankful!"
We are automatically thankful for our kids, our health, our families, our whatevers... some more than others. Some people have sadly lost children, some are struggling with their health, some have bad families or none at all. So the rest of us feel extra really thankful in light of our blessings. We feel all kinds of gratitude when we actually stop and think about how good we've got it. But being thankful becomes a fleeting sensation, a passing emotion that comes and goes almost as quickly as the patriotism that seized our nation after 9/11.
As Americans, we are very quick to wallow in our collective pity parties without really putting our fortunes in perspective to the rest of the world. Obviously, there are people living in deplorable poverty, whose day to day existence involves hardships or deprivations we can only imagine, and that we probably wouldn't survive. There are many Americans, too many, who really do have it terribly rough right now, but even they know there are things they can find to be thankful for, even if it's difficult to find those bright spots.
For a few days, celebrities and other Haves help out the Have Nots in soup kitchens and shelters. We donate to the poor, give our time and give a damn for a little while. The holiday season inspires people, who are virtually oblivious or indifferent for ten months to the plight of people stricken with misfortune, to show up and help out.
It's very hard to be thankful when things are painful in your life. You may have a gravely ill child or you may be facing the loss of your home because you were laid off months ago and couldn't find another source of income. You may have suffered insult and injury to your heart or body that has left you devastated. You may have suffered loss so extreme it's getting difficult to keep moving forward. Gratitude might be the last thing on your mind right now.
Everyone can go through times like these, which is why it's particularly vital that we all remember, when things aren't truly as bad as we think they are, to be grateful--not just at the end of November, not just because a greeting card told you to be, and not just because I said so. It's because remembering your blessings in the good seasons of your life will help you get through the troubled ones. Things will get better again, if you keep working for what you really cherish in your world, placing value on what matters most.
I value my friends. To each of you, I say--thank you.
Comments:
It's because remembering your blessings in the good seasons of your life will help you get through the troubled ones. Things will get better again, if you keep working for what you really cherish in your world, placing value on what matters most.
My friend, that was poignant and beautiful and so true, especially that last part. I know that when my days were darkest, it was hard for me to grateful for anything, when pain was all I really knew. Those days are behind me, and hopefully for good, and so whenever I start to take my life and all its riches for granted, I remember how hard things were and how very fortunate I am today.
And Joye, your friendship is invaluable. I am honored to count myself as one of your friends. You are truly a gift. So, I thank YOU.
You made me cry. And here I thought you loved me.
I love you back, Joye. And I'm thankful for you all year long whether you like it or not.
You make some excellent points, my dear.
Good point, Joye. I think you hit the nail on the head for me. I find Thanksgiving kind of silly, in the sense that we should all just be really thankful for that one day. I try every single day to give thanks for the joys in my life. Every night, before I go to sleep.
What would the world be like if everyone was thankful, every day?
I am thankful for your friendship, Joye.
I am thankful every day but Thanksgiving does bring out some new emotions for me like my son coming home from college. I worry that there will be a holiday when he doesn't come home, especially when he has a life of his own or a family of his own. I have to be thankful for this now. Oh and thankful I have the ability to walk off the extra pounds cause gosh knows I'm gonna gain some extra handles.
This is probably one of the reasons why most of the major festivals in the Jewish calendar are associated with harvest times - to make us constantly aware of all that we have to be thankful for. Great post!
Everyone can go through times like these, which is why it's particularly vital that we all remember, when things aren't truly as bad as we think they are, to be grateful--not just at the end of November, not just because a greeting card told you to be, and not just because I said so. It's because remembering your blessings in the good seasons of your life will help you get through the troubled ones. Things will get better again, if you keep working for what you really cherish in your world, placing value on what matters most.
This. Very well said Joye.
I love you, too. I got nothin' else to say, right now. Because you made me cry, too, dammit.
Joye, this was so beautiful. I, too, am thankful to have you for a friend.
Already a member? Click here to log in
I like your post. I am always thankful in my life, no matter what stress comes; and trust me, there's been plenty. But I always think to myself that it can always be worse. I totally love life and everything in it. I voted your post popular.
- NightPhoenix
Message Friend Invite