By Gail Supplee Tatum, Columnist, The Times
November is the month to celebrate Thanksgiving. I usually focus on the holiday but this year, there’s an added perspective to ruminate on.
Reaching for thanks and gratitude in the midst of this stormy year has been challenging and at times, arduous.
Weariness has come over many of us as we navigate through COVID-19, an unusual number of devastating hurricanes and wildfires, along with global warming reaching a serious level, racial attacks, police brutality and the battle for equality, in this unfamiliar, strange year of 2020.
There is continued unrest about so many important, life-changing subjects and it all boils down to the total health of our nation. The subjects are our physical health, our mental health, our environmental health, community health and the health of our government.
It’s hard enough dealing with one of these subjects at a time but we are dealing with all of it at once! It has been one thing on top of another. We need a break!
We need to shift gears. We need to change the channel.
Our new campaign must focus on building a world far better than the one we’ve built so far, for the generations coming up.
We as a nation can accomplish anything if we work together.
Our pledge of allegiance states that we are “one” nation, under God, “indivisible”, with liberty and justice “for all”. One nation, undivided with justice for all seems like a good idea.
How do we get there? We can start by shining a light in a dark room. We first must be our own light of grace and strength in order to lead the way.
Show a good deed in this weary world that is in desperate need of kindness, love and generosity of heart. Find the good and praise it. Alex Haley
We’ve been holding our breath for so long. As we move past the election and towards the end of the year, let’s turn our attention to thoughts of thanks and gratitude. In the midst of so much turmoil, we must push through and look for what we’re thankful for.
Having a grateful heart has many benefits. A grateful heart improves self-esteem, improves physical health, improves psychological health, enhances empathy and promotes better sleep.
The Swiss Philosopher, Henri Frederic Amiel, blended thankfulness and gratitude together, so eloquently, when he said…Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.
As I spoke at the beginning, my November message has focused on the celebration of Thanksgiving, which speaks of just that, which is the better perspective to focus on. It is the one that will live on, long past the pandemic and everything else.
Even in our darkest hour, there is something to be thankful for. Think of such things.
I will conclude leaving thoughts of thankfulness, gratitude and hope to dwell on.
I am thankful to be given the opportunity to share with you topics that are not only thought-provoking but that give comfort as well.
Happy Thanksgiving.
