Well, if you live in the United States, you pretty much knew I was going to write about thankfulness, or gratitude or some such thing today.  

In the USA today it marks the beginning of “The Holidays”. The rest of the year we’ll all be getting ready for Christmas and then of course New Years. To some this is their favorite time of year. To millions of others, not the best time for certain. I know someone that is going to pretend to be sick today so that she doesn’t have to spend today with family. I can’t say I blame her, her family is fairly dysfunctional, and usually does not make for a pleasant gathering (but it's sad none-the-less). I know people this year, because of financial strife, are really fighting with their soul… struggling to find something to be thankful for – they are scared, knowing that Christmas will be little or nothing for their children this year. I personally know how those people feel.  

But as I prepare to join my family later today for a celebration meal of thanks, I ponder – I’m here with a roof over my head, writing on a computer that can connect to the internet. I do have some food in the cupboards. I have a family that is generous and loving, and most of all - I woke up today. In most games you get one or two “do-overs” if you get any at all. In the game of life you get 365 "do-overs" if you're lucky!!!   When you get the chance to see death, all the other types of problems seem to fade, and it’s pretty darn easy to grateful. After my heart attack, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think it could be my last. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not morbidly obsessed with death… quite the opposite actually, I’m joyously, grateful for life. I’ve seen a little boy live through cancer – seen his sweet innocence robbed by the pain of struggling to live – only to come out the other side of death’s door to laugh and play joyfully, and I am blessed by being witness to this.  

If you are struggling to feel thankful today… if you are having a hard time being grateful… then take a deep deep breath and be thankful… be grateful that you can read these words – because tomorrow you might not be able to. When I think of today’s Thanksgiving meal I remember the words of Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet;

“ Would that you could live on the fragerance of the earth, and like an air plant be sustained by the light.

But since you must kill to eat, and rob the young of its mother's milk to quench your thirst, let it then be an act of worship,

And let your board stand an altar on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innocent in many.

When you kill a beast say to him in your heart,

By the same power that slays you, I to am slain; and I too shall be consumed. For the law that delivered you into my hand shall deliver me into a mightier hand.

Your blood and my blood is naught but the sap that feeds the tree of heaven.

... And together we shall rejoice through all the seasons."

~ Happy Thanksgiving ~

  Bright Blessings ~ Richard