Total Pageviews

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving

I am not greatful by nature. I worry. I look at what is not done yet, or what needs to happen. I analyze threats and look at trends. I read and study and pray and try to do what is right. Some of that is because of my genetics and some is because I am a first born. Some of it is choices I have made and some of it is the type of work I do. Some of it may  be just plain habit.

Today I was reflecting on the different kinds of people. Many focus on what could be, others on what was. Some like to talk about their aches and pains while others are stoic and silent. Some hunger for more while others work hard to get it.

There just do not seem to be alot of people who are constantly greatful. Even as I sat this day in prayer identifying all the things I am greatful for: eyes to see, ears to  hear, I can walk and I have people who love me, I have a place to live with running water. I make enough money to eat and travel and live in wonderful comfort. I really have a great life. Yet even though I am aware of all that I do not have a tsunami of jubiliance and thanks flowing out of me at all times. Maybe once we are in God's presence in the Kingdom it will  happen. Maybe some day my emotions will be at full blast when it comes to crying out thanks. Maybe some day every inch of me will radiate with thanks. I hope so. I truly do. For now, I am pledging today to say thanks and to be aware of my blessings. That is my base for sprining into more exhuberant gratitude.
I am thankful that there are people who read what I write! Thank YOU!

2 comments:

  1. Don't worry Jeff, being constantly grateful is a hard goal to try and attain.

    Personally, I have found that practising the Buddhist idea of detachment helps. As soon as you can move away from being 'part' of everything and can start to view things from the 'outside', then it becomes much easier to appreciate the beauty in things. Once you can do that, then you can be generally grateful for almost everything.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I take comfort in knowing that Paul wrote, "Give thanks in all circumstances" and not "Feel overwhelmingly thankful feelings in all circumstances."

    ReplyDelete