Happy Thanksgiving–Counting My Blessings

I hope you’re spending today with loved ones. I am, and I am counting my blessings.

It is a day to be thankful, no matter what we have, or don’t have, isn’t it?

But I have to admit, the older I get, the more nostalgic holidays become. I’m finding that my memories of childhood holidays are filled with only pleasant feelings.

If I could travel back in time, something tells me that they weren’t actually filled with all that much joy. But as time passes, my memory is clouded and I only remember good things.

Holidays can put you through the ringer, if you let them. Not enough of this, too much of THAT. Wish it could be like this, not like THAT.

Kind of like every day.

Unless I count my blessings.

Have you ever noticed that when you count your blessings you have to be in the present? In the Now?

Not in the past, when your memories might be colored, just a tad?

Not looking into the future, waiting for something to change, happen, come to you.

Nope. When you count your blessings, you have to look around at things to appreciate right now.

It’s a good thing. (sorry, Martha.)

I mean, when you feel gratitude, it’s like appreciating something that changed – something that wasn’t too good and got better.

I’m grateful I no longer work there.

Instead of -

I appreciate my job and the abundance it brings me.

It’s a slight distinction, but it’s the difference between being present and looking into the past, or the future.

I have to stop and chuckle right now because you may be reading this, but I think I’m writing it more for myself!

So while today doesn’t hold the feelings of my childhood Thanksgivings, nor the idealized fantasy Thanksgiving in my future mind, I am spending the day with my loved ones.

And I appreciate that.

And you.

Happy Thanksgiving!