Thankful?

Wouldn't it be nice if Thanksgiving was everyday?  I reckon the only ones who would not appreciate this would be turkeys, but let's give the idea some thought.

What if everyday, everyone woke up and as soon as they opened their eyes, they thought to themselves, "Wowzers! I'm still here!  Thank you!"  It would also be perfectly acceptable to mutter these words out loud, unless of course, others, who may still be sleeping, would not be so very thankful for the thankfulness, but I think you get the picture.

From there, instead of thinking about all the activities that need to be accomplished during the day, let's take this idea down to the quantum physics level.  (I love those two words and although I could not explain just exactly what they mean, along with being horrible at math, I'll try to describe it in layman terms.)  Let's dig down deep and start being thankful for the most trivial things.  Look at things at the micro level.  For instance, the socks on your feet and the shoes that follow.  The water that comes out of the faucet and that bar of soap.  The switch, that when flipped, turns on the lights.  The smell of fresh brewed coffee or a steaming hot cup of tea.  A half stick of butter, even though you really needed a whole stick.  The milk in the jug and the cereal in the box.  One egg in a carton when you thought you were out of eggs.   The chair, the table, the spoon, the fork.  

All these things and we haven't even made it out of the house yet.  The possibilities are endless.  Since we've been being so thankful, think about what we have not thought about.  Those things like a bill that needs paid, what someone said that hurt our feelings, or looking into the wallet knowing there is not enough in there for the needs, that need met.  Should we be thankful for those things too?  

Think about what would happen if everyone spent their entire life being thankful for every single thing that transpired in that lifetime.  Sounds crazy?  Maybe not.  If we were all being busy being thankful, there would not be near the misery that befalls human kind.  The reason for that is because where the mind, or heart or consciousness is  focused, that is where the action starts.  That is were the focus comes into play and materializes into just about whatever our minds can dream of.....good or bad.

The best advice I ever heard was this, "Troubles are the tools by which God fashions us for better things."  So, yes.  Give thanks for all the things you think are bad in your life.  Whether it be losing every possession or enduring the most horrible heartbreak.  Be thankful for the experience and the tears.   Be thankful for the things that led up to it.  Be thankful for having had the opportunity to live through it.  Be thankful for what you will learn from it.  

As you gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving season, remember to be thankful for the chance to do it.  If you are spending it alone, be thankful for that too, you did not have to drive yourself crazy fixing a huge feast, nor spend the money.  

Regardless of your belief system, the Apostle Paul said to "pray without ceasing".  That sounds impossible, but starting out with giving thanks for all things, as minuscule and unimportant as they may seem,  might be a good place to start.  It can change ones entire attitude about life and the mysteries of the Master of the Universe.