This post was written in November of 2008. I'm dedicating it today to a dear friend who has refreshed my belief in thankfulness.
When you think of thankfulness, is it bitter, sweet or both? In America we're soon to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. This one is quite different than many before. So many issues pressing against us.
I have many friends who are now downright pessimistic about the future. They see so much bad on the horizon that it causes them to lose hope.
One conclusion I've come to is that I don't have the power overcome their fear. All I can do is live out an example. To that end, here's what I'm doing:
- Giving thanks in the midst of hard times. It's easy to be thankful when all is going your way. The test of our integrity comes when we have to fight through our own losses.
- On-purpose indifference to the media. Don't get me wrong, I'm staying informed. I'm just not confusing substantive information for selling. This is big.
- Continue my habit of speaking about a better future. Not a future provided, but a future created.
- Embracing the little things that are large. For example, one glance to create a connection with another human being, so they know how important they are.
- Remember, remember, remember that fear only needs my attention in-order to succeed.
I'm confident that by doing the above I will live a life of thankfulness. That's the best legacy I can leave for my friends.