Counting Blessings

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to gather with family and friends, celebrate with food and traditions. To me, it is those things and more. I have been through many things in my life, both good and bad, of my own doing or circumstance. Thanksgiving to me is when I literally sit down and count my blessings. Even when bad things sometime happen, it can often be a blessing in disguise. A happenstance that gives you a new perspective or ideas, a jolt of creative energy or challenges perceived notions, those are blessings. Anything that make a person grow as an individual, either spiritually, emotionally, physically, or intellectually is a gift. What seems to matter most in life is not how we are blessed but what we do with the blessing. Do we hoard it or share it? Blessings, natural gifts, or epiphanies aren't always a means to financial success or security. Often it more simple and subtle. Maybe you realized you have under appreciated someone in your life. Maybe you discovered a hidden knack for connecting with people in need. Maybe even a monetary windfall of some sort. Now that you have discovered this gift, this blessing, how do you make the most of it? A dream vacation? Padding your nest egg? Funding for a homeless shelter? There are many possibles as to what can be done with any gift. As human beings we seem to have a drive that more is better, but is it? This Thanksgiving, when you count up your blessings, even the little ones, please remember, this year more so than in recent memory, many others were not as fortunate and could use a helping hand. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and truly realizes how blessed they may be.