Thankful today?

 In these hard days of fear and sadness and injustice and killing... yes, depression lurks and taunts us.  It can be hard to be thankful.  But there are still good things...

Beware Time Change Thursday

’Tis the Thursday after time change…

Remember how our friend Nick, the elementary school principal, told us about the infamous Thursday after time change? About how it was the busiest day of the year with kids being sent to the principal’s office?

Make that the busiest TWO DAYS of the year - once in the spring and once in the fall. He said it didn’t seem to matter whether we were springing forward or falling back. Both ways it was disruptive.  And well documented.

As I think about that disruptive biannual tradition once again, my heart goes out to the teachers and principals around the world… AND the students…. AND their moms and dads.  

So what is there to be thankful for?

Well, this might be a really good time to pause and put the idea of disruption into context. So… instead of grumping once again about this awful tradition, maybe I can think about a few other people around the world whose lives have been disrupted this week.  Like really disrupted!  With bombs and killing all around them. Like the Americans living and working around the world who suddenly find themselves trying to find flights to escape from danger.

Sure enough, I did it, didn’t I? I suddenly pulled the story back to being about Americans, didn’t I? How easy it is for us to see the world through our own rose-colored lenses.

So now what do I do with these thoughts and this disruption on this Thursday designated for thankfulness? I can hear myself thinking that I’m thankful that my major disruptions are pretty small compared to the rest of the world.  But even that can get a little cheesy and weird.

One of the purposes for this tradition was to remind myself that I have MUCH to be thankful for.  

And yes, I ended that sentence with a preposition.  

And yes, I want my heart to be tender toward those across my city and around the world.

Even though I don’t know how my tender heart can solve such dilemmas I want it to be tender.  

Kind. 

Compassionate. 

I wish to show empathy.

I wish to care - even when it hurts.

Be thankful in terrible times?

What am I thankful for today?

There is much to be fearful or sad about.

Things have gone from bad to worse in our world.

The US and Israel have bombed Iran and now a dozen countries are involved.

There is much talk of Trump being anointed by Jesus to usher in Armageddon.

Takes me back to my years in church.

Oh, the awful feelings that flood my soul.

So what can I be thankful about this morning?

Every thing I think of feels minuscule or fragile.

On the other hand, I am so aware of the blessings I have.

I have to pause and ponder that I have much to share.

I am thankful that there are lots of people around me that I can love and listen to. And lots who need hugs.

Oh, and one more silly little thing...

I am also very thankful for shrimp alfredo.

I guess it's okay to pause and celebrate such an exquisitely delicious thing.

Daily celebration

Thankful Thursday it is.

Today I am thankful for Facebook Memories.

Because my joining Facebook back in 2008 coincided with a huge juncture in my life, these Memories offer me an incredible timeline of many of the changes large and small.

Taking some minutes to sit with those memories has become a cherished daily ritual for me - to gaze again at those favorite photos - in exotic or familiar places, too-cute shots of our grandkids as babies and then toddlers and now growing up so quickly.  What fun to read the stories and chuckle about the crazy experiences.

It has become a precious time of celebration and gratitude for me - as I shake my head in wonder at these amazing sights and stories - and I cherish the privilege of being able to live this phenomenal adventure - as well as this handy-dandy little way of pausing to remember it.

AND those Facebook Memories prompted - and assisted! - me in compiling and publishing my first book!   

Thankful Thursday Returns

It’s time!!!

Probably past time…

I think I’m a pretty thankful person.

It doesn’t take too much to get me to remember how good my life is.

I can quite readily admit that I am a person of privilege.

On the other hand, it also doesn’t take much for me to get all worried and fearful - or discouraged or grumpy -  about any number of things.  And yes, that seems to happen often these days.

I remind myself that I used to have a pretty solid Thankful Thursday practice where I would pause to think of at least one thing for which I am thankful.

It is time to do that again.

Today is Thursday and I pause to be thankful.

 

Today I am thankful that I have time to write.

And I am thankful for good health.

I hereby choose to resurrect this health-giving habit.

Thankful Thursday.