Giving Thanks

   I am thankful that I have a stove to cook Thanksgiving dinner on; I’m not thankful that I have to wake up at 6 a.m. on a day off to put a turkey in the oven.

   I am thankful that my legs still carry me into the kitchen, even though they rub together when I walk.

   I am thankful that my husband did the last minute shopping tonight for Thanksgiving dinner; I am not thankful that he will probably not obsess over the meal like I will tomorrow.

   I am thankful that there is an entire day devoted to eating; I am not thankful that I will have to do extra time on the elliptical to erase the consequences of this day.

   I am thankful for new friends we’ve made in our new community; I am not thankful that I miss my old friends like crazy.

   I am thankful that I live in a place where food is in abundance; sometimes I’m not grateful that there’s so much abundance.

   I am thankful that our ancestors took time to express their appreciation; I’m not so thankful that I forget to be appreciative much of the time.

   I am thankful to be able to share these words; I am not thankful that so many others cannot do the same.

   I am thankful that my parents put on a Thanksgiving dinner to emulate every year; I am not so grateful that they aren’t here to share ours.

   I am grateful for the love I feel every day in my life; I am not grateful for the hate and fear in the world that lives alongside this love.

   I am thankful for a merciful God who knows us all; I am not grateful that his message slips away so easily.

   Most of all I am grateful to express thanks for all the gifts I’ve received, seen and unseen; I am not grateful for the ingratitude that pervades so many of my days.

   Thanks.

The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.  - Dalai Lama