Gratitude for our well-being

Thanksgiving is a great word.  It begins with thanks.  Thank you.  You are welcome.  That is a common phrase that we hear.  It can be glibly said.  It is ingrained in my DNA to automatically say thank you.  My parents insisted that I say those words all the time.  And, I tried to pass that DNA to our son. 

            But, saying the words, “Thank you” does not mean the attitude or feeling is there.  Usually the words are said on “autopilot”.  I know it is polite.  It doesn’t “cost” me anything to say the words. 

            The attitude or feeling thankful is a harder battle.  It takes reflection and being in touch with my feelings.  It takes time to really have that thankful, full heart feeling towards a situation, action or a person. 

            This past year our family has had its ups and downs.  This is life. This is like every other family.  We are not unique.  Sometimes the ups and downs are our own doings.  Sometimes the ups and downs just seem to find us.  Either way, life can be a rollercoaster ride.  Some of the downs have resolved themselves with care and management.  Some of the ups are still here.  Some of the downs are still here. 

            It is much easier to maintain an upbeat, thankful attitude when life’s hard battles are short-lived.  But, when a hard situation drags on and on, it is much harder to maintain that thankful attitude.  So, we have decided as a family to start to find and report situations where we can be thankful.  We are calling is the “thanksgiving game.” 

            I am grateful for my sense of hearing.  I am grateful that I can listen and hear what my family members are saying to me.  I am grateful that with my hearing, I can fill my heart with wonderful memories of stories and situations.  I am grateful that I can choose to listen carefully to friends. 

            I am grateful that my family and friends choose to listen not only with their ears but their hearts to my stories.  I am grateful that we can laugh together over those ups and downs in life.  I am happy that I can choose to see the downs as temporary and short-lived.