Season of Thanks: Day 22

Today I am thankful for my inconveniences. While that may sound like an odd thing to be thankful for, hang on so that I can explain.

Season of Thanks: Day 20

Today I give thanks for the Serenity Prayer. For anyone unfamiliar with it, the prayer goes like this: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” What I am perhaps less thankful for is my measure of wisdom as it applies here.

Season of Thanks: Day 18

So, clearly, I took a week off from counting blessings. I considered going back and making up for it with seven items I behold with gratitude. However, that somewhat would defeat the purpose of why I chose to do this posting project of thanks. The point, at least personally, is to take a moment to appreciate the important things in my life and whole-heartedly acknowledge them. To lump them altogether like a checklist just won't cut it with me; so...I will simply continue on.

Season of Thanks: Day 11

Today is Veterans Day. The security of our nation is an easy thing to overlook and a difficult one to truly understand. The men and women who have served to protect my liberties and comfort deserve respect beyond what my simple blog entry can give. I am very grateful for this country's veterans.

Season of Thanks: Day 10

I am thankful for relaxing, simple days where the demands are few. After this week, I've needed a little time to "decompress" and thankful to have it.

Season of Thanks: Day 9

Today is a fairly straight-forward and simple gratefulness. I am thankful for my new employment. It's going to be a wonderful job!

Season of Thanks: Day 8

Entertainment, leisure time and specifically music and concerts are the things I am thankful for today. I must admit this is probably biased by the fact that my wife and I have "Meet the Band" tickets for the Aerosmith concert tonight. However, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to enjoy concerts and live where there is an entertainment industry to provide such.

Season of Thanks: Day 7

Although I am not always thankful for what the government does, I am thankful for the civil process of our political system. When we the people vote in this republic, we feel rather confident that our collective voices will be heard and the decision followed. Unlike other places in the world, the transition or retention of power is not forced by a coup or militants in the street. This is a convenience and wonder we find as normal that many other citizens of the world never see. I am thankful for our flawed, imperfect, still-needing-to-be-improved and often rude but congenial-by-comparison political and govermentmental systems.

Season of Thanks: Day 6

I am thankful for travel modes of this century. A hundred years ago, most of the population did not travel 20 miles outside of their birthplace. Today, however, with airplanes, automobiles and even trains, we are virtually unlimited to the places we can visit. I have been fortunate in my lifetime to travel to 36 different states and four different countries. Modern travel is a blessing.

Season of Thanks: Day 5

Modern medicine is what I am thankful for today. As frustrating as the issue of healthcare has become, I am still thankful for medical science, the diagnostic procedures and the biochemical "magic" we have today, saving countless lives and improving the quality of lives even when cures of some afflictions have yet to be discovered.

A century ago, tuberculosis, pneumonia and influenza were the great enemies of humankind and could strike anyone regardless of age and relative health. Today, these diseases are far less threatening, and that threat is isolated more to smaller groups. Cancer and heart disease are our health risks today, but because of modern medicine, the danger is far more about our choices than being a random victim.

Season of Thanks: Day 4

I am thankful for the readily available food. It's something I take for granted because ever since my earliest memories, grocery super markets have existed. Beyond taking it for granted, I probably even abuse it.

The "supermarket" did not make its premiere until 1930. Prior to Piggly Wiggly, grocers were service-based and sold mainly perishables. Other than that, people grew their own fruits and vegetables and raised their own livestock, which they either cleaned and prepared themselves or had the butcher do it. While we most likely overeat due to the convenience, I am still quite grateful not to have to spend several hours each day just to prepare and provide a day's sustenance.

Season of Thanks: Day 3

Today is a difficult day to count blessing as a recently reacquainted friend from high school unexpectedly passed away. However, as has become a practice in our home, I have sought the unexpected blessing when tragedy occurs - a sort of Divine lesson of Providence that makes life somehow better in the midst of the difficulty. So today I am thankful for the many opportunities to share with others how important they are to me. I further vow to express my affection to those I love more often and more obviously. For all my family, friends and the fellowship with them - it is this I am thankful today.

Season of Thanks: Day 2

I am thankful for wonderful neighbors. This could not be more distinguished today, as our next-door neighbors' son found our missing dog. He selflessly returned her (without knowing there was a reward) simply because it was the right thing to do. I am blessed to be surrounded by such caring people.

Season of Thanks: Day 1

I am thankful for the basics of human comforts: the shelter of my home, the food in my pantry, the electricity and gas to keep the temperature reasonable. I am very fortunate to live in a place where these amenities are readily available and there are jobs and careers available to fund the purchasing of these things. The simple basics, which I so often take for granted - for these I am thankful.