MUCH to be thankful for

I’m blessed to have both sets of my grandparents alive; therefore, every Thanksgiving, my family and I go to each of my grandparent’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. A typical Thanksgiving at both houses entails lots of laughter, noise, and most importantly FOOD - in fact…TOO MUCH food. By the time we’re done visiting both houses, my family and I don’t even want to see another turkey.

More important than food, however, is another significant element that both sets of my grandparents have integrated into each Thanksgiving dinner, and that is the family prayer. In the family prayer, each member of the family takes a turn going around the room and stating what they’re thankful for. Even though everyone is incredibly hungry and ready to eat, all know how central and essential this is for the Thanksgiving dinner. Sometimes the thanks can become a bit emotional, while others are humorous causing even more laughter and conversation to enter the room. All take part and each one leaves the prayer feeling a bit more blessed and tuned into reality.

The fact is that we ALL have something to be thankful for. No matter how difficult or wearisome some situations may be…one must always stop and think that things could always be worse. The fact that one is alive and able to have a brain that thinks properly and processes situations correctly…is a blessing. The fact that one is born in a nation as great as the United States of America…is a blessing. The fact that one is able to use their limbs correctly, or is not suffering from a terminal disease is a blessing. I’m no way trying to take away from the fact that some individuals aren’t as fortunate and may be facing dire circumstances such as this…however, what I am saying is that in comparison to folk such as this, I think that a lot of us worry about frivolous matters and things that can seem very petty and unimportant in comparison to others around the world.

When reflecting about what you’re grateful for this Thanksgiving, try to set aside the drama around the recession, around the war in Iraq, around health care reform, around your ex who’s just dumped you, around the boss that you can’t stand, around the crappy car that you are being forced to drive, around the store that no longer carries the dress that you just HAVE to have, etc…and think about what you DO possess. Think about what is most important in life and imagine how your life would be without those elements. That, in turn, will keep you in perspective of what’s really important and what matters most. I know you’ll be able to find a lot to be thankful for.

-Janae is a blogger for The Daily Vine. Check out her bio to see where her view comes from.