Let’s Think About Gratitude…

Again the holiday season is upon us, and I’m betting many of you are as weary of mandatory shopping & gift-giving as I am. With this in mind, let’s change our focus to something much more in the true spirit of Christmas – gratitude.

In so many ways, those of us living in the USA are really quite fortunate. We enjoy a level of peace and prosperity not shared in all the world. Our healthcare system is more functional than ever and our national economy is recovering well from the downturns of the Great Recession of 2008. Some economists suggest that many US citizens live like one-half of 1% of the world’s population. Aren’t these pretty good reasons for feeling some gratitude and saying thanks?

When I was a boy, I was fascinated by stories of the American Indians. When the Indians took a wild animal as food for their families, they always included a short ceremony thanking the Great Spirit for providing the animal. They saw the animal as a gift from the Great Spirit, and returned the favor with gratitude. I’m reminded of the old saying “what goes around, comes around”. Do we “close the circle” with gratitude for our good fortunes? I don’t think I do…certainly not enough.

It’s so American to never be satisfied with what we have; maybe other cultures are better at this than we are, but I only know American culture. Even John D. Rockefeller, the creator and benefactor of the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, when asked “Mr. Rockefeller, how much money is enough?”, answered “just a little more than I have now”. I think feeling like this is one of our national preoccupations, and one that, at the end of the day, is destined to leave us feeling incomplete and unfulfilled.

What are we to do about this? Well, take a moment to sit and count all the blessings that we routinely enjoy and have learned to take for granted. Health, a solid job, a safe home, children and grandchildren…these are just some of the things we could be grateful for. And then take a moment to say thanks for all these things. Like the Indians, this can be our way of “completing the circle”. And, what a great way to wrap up 2015 and set the stage for enjoying 2016!