Life operates at a fast pace. We run from meeting to meeting, shuttle our children to events, and seldom have the chance to just slow down and relax. Our electronic devices have blurred the line between work time and recreational time. Frankly, we check our electronic devices far more than we should. Our calendars are full and free time is hard to find.
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving...a time to pull the plug on some of our activities and simply reflect on our many blessings. As tough as we often view our busy lives, take time to remember that your hectic work life means you have a job. Your constant shuttling of children to their many events means you have a family to love and support. It is easy to get so busy that we just forget to slow down and be thankful for what we do have.
I am reminded of a story that illustrates our need to simply be thankful. Here it is:
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building holding a sign that read: "I am blind, please help." Next to the young boy was a box that contained a few coins that those passing by had placed inside.
A man walked by the boy, took the sign, and wrote something on the other side. The man gave the sign back to the boy but now had the new words facing those who passed by.
Soon the young boy's box began to fill up with money.
Later the man who had changed the words on the sign returned to check on the boy. The blind boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man told the young blind boy he wrote the following words on the sign: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
You see, people who read the sign were thankful for their gift of sight and began giving to help the blind boy. They were giving out of thankfulness.
So this Thanksgiving instead of carrying your normal sign that says how busy you are, ask yourself what is beautiful in your life that you need to just stop and appreciate. Take some time to hug your family, give your co-workers a big smile, enjoy the gift of food at Thanksgiving, turn off your cell phone, go for a walk with your spouse, read a book, take a nap, or just do whatever allows you to relax and be thankful for your many blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving!