Finding Those Times to Feel Thankful

"The last few weeks have been especially hectic," I told my older son recently, when we had our regular phone conversation to bridge the distance between West Coast and East. "Do I say that every week," I wondered. He, too, is increasingly busy, as are so many of the people around us. When do we take the time to stop and think? During this period of economic frustration and limited political horizons, when do we allow ourselves to feel gratitude for what we do have? For example, I am so grateful for those conversations with my son, and for knowing that he is having similar conversations with my mother. I am so grateful for my family, across the generations.

Sometimes feelings of gratitude are bound up with feelings of vulnerability. When we realize how fragile life can be, we can be more open to experience that spirit of thankfulness. This season my family has faced some health challenges, and as we've gotten through them, I realize more than ever how lucky I am to have a caring, resourceful and loving family.

Sometimes feelings of gratitude are bound up with feelings of accomplishment. As we work hard on things that matter to us, we can be more open to experience a sense of gratitude and belonging. I work side by side with a very talented team, and I work on a campus infused with the energy of faculty, staff and students. I recognize how fortunate I am to work among people who aim to make a positive difference in the world.

Sometimes feelings of gratitude are bound up with feelings of hopefulness. When we realize how lucky we are to have family and friends who care for us, when we recognize how fortunate we are to be able to accomplish significant goals through cooperative work, we can be more open to feelings of hope for a meaningful future.

As we find the times to be thankful (especially in these tough periods), may our gratitude for present blessings be bound up with a sense of caring purpose.

 

Comments

[SAGMUN]

06:27 PM on 11/27/2011

A smile, a hug, a kiss,
a kindly word that gladden the heart, a gift of hope that lift the spirit, a candle that lights the darkness of the soul,
a harvest shared through thought, word and action.

Ever Thankful

[fisher2737]

05:37 AM on 11/26/2011

I'm thankful that Obama will be out of Washington in a few more months. : )

[Joanne Lee Miller]

04:16 PM on 11/24/2011

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my husband. There are so many things we have to be thankful for, but I just want to focus today on how thankful I am for my sweetheart. We are older (both in our 50's) and have been married for just 2 years. This is a first marriage for me, and I am learning and growing in it. My husband ?, well he's had some practice. At my age, I had decided marriage didn't matter, I had built a life I enjoyed and I was happy. Both of us are people of strong faith in God, and each of us, without telling the other, had heard the voice of God telling us that we would be married. I remember marveling that I would be married at my age, a bit dazed by the promise that God planned to bless me through Nathan! Neither of us are perfect, but even when we hit a little rough patch, I know that God prepared us for each other and that there is purpose in our relationship that goes far beyond this moment or this day. The name Nathan means gift. He is God's gift to me. That's a lot to be thankful for.

[luapmi2]

02:55 PM on 11/27/2011

Love it....and remember in the future, when anything is really tough...you won't even have to wonder if God knows who you are or if He is listening. He knows your very name.....

[First Blast]

07:45 AM on 11/24/2011

I feel gratitude for knowing that we can end this economic frustration by coming together and changing the policies that created it.

[PamWrites]

11:41 PM on 11/23/2011

Thank you for this lovely post. I especially appreciate your closing comment, "As we find the times to be thankful (especially in these tough periods), may our gratitude for present blessings be bound up with a sense of caring purpose." Amen!!