It seems to me we all need to spend a little less time grousing about things, comparing our lives to others’ lives and develop instead an attitude of gratitude.
I’ve always heard that gratitude is a cure for greed, and work is a cure for boredom.
So in this season of Thanksgiving, if you are thankful for something, work to make it better and more accessible to others.
Are you thankful to live in America? Think of ways to make it better. Work to advance your values. That might mean in church, by serving on boards, committees or in other ways to improve the church’s outreach.
Maybe you want to advance your values politically. Because we live in America, we are free to do so. Choose an issue that matters to you, research it thoroughly and then select a candidate whose stance on that issue aligns with yours. Can’t find one? Run for office yourself. Or work to educate those running or already in office. That is why they have office hours and field staff. Candidates and elected representatives want to know what the people think. It’s their job and if they listen, it leads to them keeping that job.
Maybe you value a clean environment. That could mean picking up trash, spearheading a cleanup day or assisting with getting large items off the streets right here at home. Maybe you want to speak at the schools or clubs to students about keeping our land grand. Any of these undertakings will require work, some of them require physical labor and might cost you a few bucks at the transfer station. But nothing is accomplished without sacrifice.
Are you thankful for medical care? See your care provider often, keep up with his or her recommendations and build a relationship. Same with our pharmacies. Glad to get your medications in town rather than driving to Timbuktu for them when you are in a hurry, the weather stinks or you feel badly? Talk to the folks behind the counter and listen to what they tell you. Let them know you appreciate them and if it’s possible, spend a little money in their shops on things other than prescriptions.
Anything in your world that you esteem, that you value, can be made better.
Is there a charity that has helped you, your loved ones or you simply agree with down in your soul? Support it. Donate, volunteer and encourage others to do the same. It doesn’t have to be cash. There is plenty of work that needs to be done that will only take time and effort. You can be behind the scenes, run errands, clean the office.
The thing is, if you are thankful, truly thankful for the gifts in your life, whether they be financial, ability, skills or passion, use those gifts toward what matters to you. It will make your life richer and benefit innumerable people around you. It will give you more to be thankful for next year.
Being able to give of ourselves and our resources is one of the biggest benefits of living in a free nation. Exercise the benefit. It will make us all flourish.