“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ― Epicurus
I am writing this several weeks before it will post. It has been a gloomy few days and even though I hate to admit it, my grumpy level goes up when the sun hides.
This tends to press my gratitude level down and generally spoil my days . I would not do well in Alaska in winter.
It is well researched, and I agree, that gratitude is the anti-spoil ingredient. So I decided to do a Thanksgiving post.
Thanksgiving was our extended maternal family’s reunion gathering as a child. We usually went to the farm where all the traditional comfort food converged from a eight county area onto one table. If there were strained relationships they were set aside for the day as far as I could tell.
This breaking of bread among family served us well. I only remember the laughter, the stories (that got bigger each year) and the fellowship. It was expressed gratitude that we had family. I know it was far from perfect, but even in that, I learned gratitude in the face of the imperfect. I learned that one does not depend on the other.
Choosing Gratitude
So today I am revving up my gratitude meter. This year, we are gathering the extended family at my sister’s home. Not on the farm this time, but the family will be there. Things are not perfect. In fact, there are some real challenges, but we still have much much to be thankful for.
Here is a start. I apologize up front if my list seems superficial to some who may read this in much worse situations, but here I go. I am grateful for:
- hot and cold running water
- several modes of reliable transportation
- heat, gas and electricity
- a warm, clean bed
- a washer and dryer and clean clothes
- for a loving husband of almost 40 years
- for a loving church family and friends in several languages around the globe
- hopes, dreams and plans that my Lord superintends on my behalf
- for several major projects completed this past summer
- For a nation with all its shortcomings, remains a place of choice and freedom
- that I can write to you….
Now, it’s your turn. In the comments put one (or more) thing you are grateful for. Let’s see how far this can go.
And oh yes, if you are traveling, safe journeys!