November 22, 2022
We live very externally oriented lives, and we seldom go within to contemplate what we are grateful for. Our political and national values emphasize debate—even to the point of serious separation from family and friends.
Yet Thanksgiving Day offers a counterpoint to all of this discourse in our American lives. The tradition of Thanksgiving is to go within, to bring pause and celebration for what we are grateful for in our human existence.
Other national holidays ask us to remember the contributions and sacrifices of war heroes, and the other heroes who stood up against the unjust and prejudice in our great nation.
But, Thanksgiving Day is different. It is the only national holiday in America that reminds us to live in grace—for our forebears knew—the importance of being grateful and living in gratitude each day.
None of us really need gratefulness explained to us, but how many times do we neglect to thank our spouse for picking up take-out dinner because we are too tired to cook, or to thank a friend to drive the kids to soccer practice? In a way, gratitude is an art form that needs to be cultivated, and expressed daily to recognize the contributions others make to our lives.
When the CEO of US Steel was asked what advice he would give young people starting out their careers, he said, “Always arrive at work five minutes early, and always say ‘thank you’ to anyone who helps you. It could be the CEO of a major corporation, or the janitor. If that person offers help, say ‘thank you’.”
So what are you grateful for in your Health, Family, and Business? Let us celebrate this special Holiday, and express our gratitude towards everything and everyone we are grateful for. In doing so, we release a wonderful energy, an energy of love that surrounds us, others, the earth and the whole universe.
This year let’s celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and friends, and remember the numerous blessings that God gives us in each moment of our lives, and, most importantly, let us smile and be grateful to our Creator.