Thank You

It’s hard to believe another Thanksgiving is just around the corner. In the background while standing waiting for a bus (as well as on the bus), and at the grocery store, I hear peoples’ musings about how they will spend their holiday. While many are frantically digesting (no pun intended) their intent and the endless possibilities for completion of the perfect day, I simply ponder the word "Thanksgiving" in ordinary life and how it impacts my world. I can’t help but allow my voyeuristic side to precipitate a curiosity (and a relatively small amount of judgment) for select individuals whom I feel need to offer a more genuinely frequent testimony of their thanks and giving.

There are those who demonstrate, through inflection, a contrived, almost forced or canned response to what the holiday symbolizes (as if to tell others what they want to hear, thus feeding into expectation and nothing more). It’s not about performing for the masses, and it’s certainly not about one day, but every day.

People will say, "Of course I’m thankful. What’s not to be thankful for?" We have a habit of speaking in snippets of generalities that feed into a life that is being taken for granted. It’s so easy to say, "I am thankful for my life, a roof over my head, health, sanity, etc." I wonder how many people take it to heart, allowing it to marinate in their brain, thus amplifying a resurgence of gratification to show towards others?

These days our resolve, without question, is being tested. I know mine has and still is being challenged. I continue to detail my history through words, pictures and videos via my blogs. I harvest these profiles of days to help nurture me along into old age. They are a testament of a life lived and still in progress. The information serves as a guide to aid in my ability of looking back and being forever thankful for an intense venture that, on occasion, compromised my ability to thrive. Pitfalls and all, I hope I can remember without too much regret.

The way to achieve such status is by sincerely thanking those along the way who carried you on your journey, for being ever mindful of their presence, grateful for their endurance and always giving with words of encouragement and kindness. Yes, it’s nice to receive tangible gifts, but they’re not as sustaining or fulfilling as words of promise, hope and love, for this is how we connect, continue and sustain our deepest relationships.

I don’t always do my part to tell those around me how much I appreciate their input. These days I’ve done a bit too much barking and a little less feeding into morale, perhaps slightly damaging a few spirits. I’ve allowed certain situations to take me off course from my mission, which has always been about laughter, love and living.

The holiday grows closer with each passing day. Take this time to step back and look at the big picture. In doing so you’ll grow your character, thus changing how people perceive you. Practice and then preach elements of grace, dignity and serenity towards your family, friends, neighbors and most of all to strangers. Polish and nurture your communication skills daily in order to live a life of quality and civility. Always remember we can be firm with our position and hold true to our beliefs without compromising our reputation. We spend too much time trying to change others when we should be changing (improving) ourselves.

Let’s all make a conscious effort to give something back every day of our life, and it’s as simple as saying thank you. These two words will allow you to give and get happiness frequently. Take a leap of faith and know that your kindness will be rewarded when you do the right thing.  Cheers! – paerki