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 |  I've maxed out. Closed this blog. |
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This is a way of making myself write something coherent and grammatically correct almost every day. I'm opinionated and need an outlet. I'm also prone to flights of fancy. Thanks for stopping by. |
| A woman I know challenged us today with just a rhetorical question. "How would you feel if tomorrow you got up and had only what you gave thanks for today?" She left a small group of men and women speechless, wondering "What would I be willing to live without?" If a person were to start listing desperately the things for which he wants to keep and needs to express thanks, you could tell a lot about that person's age and personality. A musician for instance might want to give thanks for his antique guitar or a treasured Stradivarius violin. Most would think of their families, their spouses or significant others, extended family, and friends. The basics would be listed like food, clean water, shelter, clothes, transportation. Some people over 50 or with medical problems would list their medicines at the top of the list, even before food. Doctors, medical workers, emergency workers, hospitals make the lists for family people, the elderly, the handicapped, those in pain. I would add my computer, books, electricity, the ability to work, a place to sleep, and my privacy, Some would add their jobs, their school, a club, the family silver, their stock portfolios, or their smart phones. Some might list their collectibles, their art, their skills, their power, their success, their nice houses.For some, it would be all about their animals, or the gardens, the farm, or the ranch. Most sooner or later would get around to liberty, safety, justice, individuality, and creation. We know that an attitude of gratitude is good for us. It keeps us level-headed and helps us heal and cope. Whether you are religious or not, being grateful for the good things in life is healthy for us. "An attitude of gratitude" is a mantra for 12-step help groups.I remember a scene in the Karate Kid, where the teacher tells him to remember the sky is blue and the grass is green. In some very low times of my life, when I felt like I had nothing to give thanks for, I would repeat: the sky is blue and the grass is green. It was always a place to start. From there, I could find more things to add to the list, and I could be grateful even in the middle of some horrifying times. Fortunately, my friend's admonition to be thankful today and every day isn't really a threat to us. I caught myself thinking that I need some legalistic, covering phase like, "Thanks for all the things I take for granted, or the things I can't remember at the moment." But that isn't necessary. I believe in a loving God, who is not legalistic, who gives us good things even if we take them for granted. He forgives us for the times when we are not grateful, as long as we come around again and remember the source of the sunshine, the flowers, the rain in season, love and life. We aren't walking some narrow bridge, from which we can fall off into poverty and need, if we aren't grateful enough on a constant basis. We don't have to be afraid of losing it all. We do need to give thanks on a regular basis, not to be safe, but to be healthy emotionally and spiritually. |
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