Joan Ball is a business professor at St. John’s University in New York and the author of Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life.
I didn’t grow up in the kind of family where we said grace before meals, and Thanksgiving in our house was not the kind of occasion where we paused to reflect on what we were giving thanks for – unless it was my mom’s awesome stuffing or the desired team winning the football game that inevitably (unfortunately) played in the background. In fact, the one time I did hesitantly ask around the table if anyone wanted to share what they were grateful for that year, I was met with smirks, polite smiles, and a request to pass the gravy.
So, that wasn’t one of my traditions. Now that I’m an adult, however, I’d like to start a new tradition, if only for myself. Right now, I could use to focus on what’s going right, what I have, when so much around me is about what is going wrong. My hope is that in doing so, I can and will remember to be the sort of person who appreciates her life and behaves in accordance with that attitude.
So, without further ado, here’s my Thanksgiving Gratitude List:
First, I am grateful for my husband’s love and support. Every day when I see him, I marvel at how good a person can be. I never knew love before I knew this man. Hubby, I love you “all the much.”
Second, I’m grateful for my parents, who’ve had a very difficult year. With humor and pragmatism, they soldier on, and with love and generosity, they continue to take care of me, even when it should be the other way around. Folks, hang in there. There are still good times ahead.
Third, I’m grateful for my friends and amazing coworkers (Paddy, you’re included here!). This has been a year for leaning on strong shoulders, and I’ve been touched to see how willing my friends are to lend them. And, it doesn’t hurt that I have an excellent group of coworkers. Which brings me to my next item.
Next, I’m grateful for my job. I’ve seldom (OK, never) had the pleasure of working with such smart, sensible, and cooperative people. In scary economic times, too many of us are forced to stay with crappy jobs out of necessity. I’m fortunate to want to stay where I am.
Last, I’m grateful to have had this chance to write and share my thoughts with readers here on this blog, and elsewhere on the Web. It’s been eye-opening and exciting to join the blogosphere.
What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? Here are some gratitude quotes to get you in the mood.
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posted November 25, 2009 at 8:30 pm
My dear, you cannot have “all the much”, you must leave at least half the much, if not more, for me and my love for you.
posted November 26, 2009 at 11:15 am
Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often. ~Johnny Carson
The Old Geezer is Thankful for:
1. My Salvation in Christ Jesus.
2. My Loving Wife.
3. My Children and Grandchilren.
4. My Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
5. Good Health.
6. And last but not least ‘The Old Geezer Blog’
This blog has been a great outlet for me to share my faith, my politics and my sense of humor. Even if no one ever reads it or responds, it has become a way for me to express a part of who I am. And for some strange reason that seems to be helpful in coping with the day to day problems that can become over whelming at times. Sometimes being an Old Geezer ain’t so easy.
A special thanks to my son Stephen for suggesting I start a blog.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” –William Arthur Ward
posted July 25, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Even though this post was written a while ago, it is still very relevant today! I too did not say grace growing up. Giving thanks and expressing your gratitude is a great practice to do everyday! And it is important to give thanks not only for food, but everything for which you are grateful.