Thursday, November 26, 2009

It's hard to be thankful, but...

(I apologize, this is a longer entry than usual. If you are impatient or in a hurry, I encourage you to move to the end and at least watch the video)

Normally, I write about food and typically, today would be a great day to do just that. But I don't think that today is about food. In my opinion, today is about pausing to open our eyes and recognize all that we can be thankful for.

It's much easier today, and everyday, to think of all that do don't have. (Especially this year) I'd be lying if I tried to tell you that this has been an easy year. 2009 will be known forever for it's financial crisis. Whether you rich or poor you are not immune to it's effects. We also face the ever present decay of our environment, a continuing war with terrorism, disintegration of values and integrity, swine flu, and to top it off, a Democrat led government (for my republican friends). These problems are just the tip of the ice burg. Once we scrape the surface, we find that each of us has our own personal battles that we face each and everyday.

I pause to remind myself that it's much easier to focus on what's wrong with our lives and the world, than it is to think of what's right.

Today, although it's hard, I challenge You and Me to remove the veil and witness first hand all that we are thankful for.

Giving thanks is a choice. We must redirect our wandering minds and stop listening to the lies.

Today, I've made the decision to give thanks, even though it's hard. Here are just a few of the things that I am thankful for:

- I'm thankful for each relationship that I've experienced this year. I've felt so much growth because of the people I've shared fellowship with. My life is good because of the brothers and sisters in it.

- I'm thankful for my family who's been willing to support me. They brought me home this holiday to celebrate with them.

- I'm thankful for turkey, whether industrial or local, and all of the people who have slaved over bringing Tom to each of our tables.

- I thankful for the three car accidents I've experienced in the past two months - I'm alive.

- I'm thankful for my story, though it's full of ups and downs, it's uniquely mine and a gift from the creator whose full of grace, as is yours.

- I'm thankful for awe, wonder and hope.

Here are two stories that make me thankful.

1. What Makes the Taureg Happy? A video about the Taureg of Niger, Africa.



2. The Traffic Signs of God. The goodness of a few New Yorkers.


May You, Me and Everyone in between make the decision to give thanks today (and enjoy good food!)

9 comments:

Jennie said...

Great video...now juxtapose that with the TV that keeps telling me I need a diamond ring or a designer pair of jeans to be happy. Take me back to Niger any day.

Topher said...

Great post, DJ! Inspiring.

Teresita Jo said...

I just came across your blog... I didn't write this BUT I thought you might enjoy it. Hope all is well for you DJ!
-Tracey

I AM THANKFUL: FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

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