We're moving into the Holiday Season for 2019 and I must admit: I'm not ready - Yikes!
If you're honest with yourself, you may not be ready either. In fact, the first Christmas commercial I've seen was displayed yesterday - November 3rd.
We've barely gotten past Halloween and now we're assaulted with gift buying and Black Friday. Sheesh!
Can we slow this down and celebrate Thanksgiving first?
For those of you over the age of 50, you understand what I mean.
There was a time when Thanksgiving was a major holiday. Halloween was relegated to a more sedate celebration with candy and treats. There were no such events as: Trunk and Treats, Harvest Festivals, and City sponsored 'block treating'.
Now, I'm not criticizing these events, I'm only pointing out that times have changed. What used to be a small, fun celebration in neighborhoods has been marketed into a multi-billion dollar holiday that only runs second to Christmas in sales.
For those of you under the age of 50, I hope that you had fun with your family. It's good to spend time together and that in itself makes it good.
My message here this week is to point out that we all need to slow down a bit and enjoy where we are. Let's celebrate Thanksgiving and the wonderful traditions it brings.
One of the best ways to celebrate Thanksgiving is to ask yourself what giving thanks means. Let's take a look at what we can give thanks for:
For those of us who live in what are termed 'developed' countries, our life expectancy is upwards of 80 years. In less 'developed' countries, the life expectancy is as low as 43 and up to 57 years.
Most of us who have been or are in the workforce have made more money in 1 year than many people who live in some countries will make in a lifetime. In fact, many 'developing' nations' workforces make $1 to $2 a day.
Many countries have oppressive and corrupt governments that treat their people as commodities to be used and thrown away. In spite of our current political climate, most of us live in a free country that has a constitutional republic.
The majority of us in the United States don't have to worry about what we're going to eat or drink. There is food aplenty here. But, for those who live in 'developing' countries, they often go without food or clean water on a daily basis.
(Some of this data was taken from: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/population-human-wellbeing.htm)
With all of that said, we all have much to be thankful for.
My challenge for you is to find something to be thankful for and think about that for the entire month. That way, you'll have a thankfulness footprint in your heart and mind that won't easily go away.
I also want you to know that I give thanks for you! I give thanks that you've come to this website and spent some time reading my writings and hopefully getting some encouragement and inspiration.
I'd also like to mention that I've arranged and recorded some new music to be released soon. But, not until we all give thanks!