Someone innocently asked me the other day, What are you most thankful for? Simple question. Simple enough. Simple? Not simple at all. I have to say, I have been mulling and swirling that question over and around in my head; back and forth and upside down for days now.
I remember my mother would make us go around the Thanksgiving table announcing this. I remember looking at the faces. Some all squished up; squished up with confusion and embarrassment. Then there were those who straightened up and readied for the challenge. Then it was almost my turn. As the voices trailed around the table. My turn to say. To declare. I remember not being able to find the words to articulate; to articulate and summarize just what I was MOST thankful for. It was humiliating. I mean, who couldn't answer that? I was a semi-intelligent person for most of my life. Yet, answering a simple question like this had me tongue-tied; paralyzed. Of course since then, that question has pretty much haunted me; weighing on me as the Thanksgiving table was set, seats filled with family, waiting to ask me, yet again....
One of the beautiful things I've noticed about growing older is that I feel like I see things more clearly. This clarity allows me to realize simple truths. And these truths just appear; pop into my head like flashes of lightning in a passing storm. In fact, the answer to the what are you most thankful for question finally came. It came to me just the other day as I glanced out of my bedroom window and saw the family of deer grazing in my shrubs; whilst the sun shone down on my neighbor's roof; and as I heard the faint gurgle of my cat Charlie snoring deeply on the corner of my bed. This is what I am MOST thankful for. I am most thankful for my ability to APPRECIATE. The ability to find deep satisfaction in all that I see and all that I do. The realization that not everything works out the way we want, but I can APPRECIATE the effort that it took me to get there. The ability to APPRECIATE should not be taken for granted. So many people overlook it; toss it aside. They're too busy or too cynical. Appreciation is not to be taken lightly. Of course my list of who and what I appreciate is pages, blocks, miles, long; my family, my friends, my colleagues; there's learning and growing and sharing and teaching; my oils, zumba, writing; hot summer days, toes in the sand, barbecues.
I challenge you. I challenge you to consider what it is YOU are most thankful for. How can you articulate something so big in a simple response. I challenge you to share this question with others as well. See, reflection helps us to grow and learn about ourselves and others. spOIL yourself with this challenge and have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!!!
I remember my mother would make us go around the Thanksgiving table announcing this. I remember looking at the faces. Some all squished up; squished up with confusion and embarrassment. Then there were those who straightened up and readied for the challenge. Then it was almost my turn. As the voices trailed around the table. My turn to say. To declare. I remember not being able to find the words to articulate; to articulate and summarize just what I was MOST thankful for. It was humiliating. I mean, who couldn't answer that? I was a semi-intelligent person for most of my life. Yet, answering a simple question like this had me tongue-tied; paralyzed. Of course since then, that question has pretty much haunted me; weighing on me as the Thanksgiving table was set, seats filled with family, waiting to ask me, yet again....
One of the beautiful things I've noticed about growing older is that I feel like I see things more clearly. This clarity allows me to realize simple truths. And these truths just appear; pop into my head like flashes of lightning in a passing storm. In fact, the answer to the what are you most thankful for question finally came. It came to me just the other day as I glanced out of my bedroom window and saw the family of deer grazing in my shrubs; whilst the sun shone down on my neighbor's roof; and as I heard the faint gurgle of my cat Charlie snoring deeply on the corner of my bed. This is what I am MOST thankful for. I am most thankful for my ability to APPRECIATE. The ability to find deep satisfaction in all that I see and all that I do. The realization that not everything works out the way we want, but I can APPRECIATE the effort that it took me to get there. The ability to APPRECIATE should not be taken for granted. So many people overlook it; toss it aside. They're too busy or too cynical. Appreciation is not to be taken lightly. Of course my list of who and what I appreciate is pages, blocks, miles, long; my family, my friends, my colleagues; there's learning and growing and sharing and teaching; my oils, zumba, writing; hot summer days, toes in the sand, barbecues.
I challenge you. I challenge you to consider what it is YOU are most thankful for. How can you articulate something so big in a simple response. I challenge you to share this question with others as well. See, reflection helps us to grow and learn about ourselves and others. spOIL yourself with this challenge and have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!!!!
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