Be Grateful

I know I don’t need to say much to drive this point home, but I think it’s totally appropriate to amplify it.

Today is among my favorite days on the calendar. It is my favorite Holiday and (as I sometimes quip to those who know me) the 2nd most important day in November. Thanksgiving Day is the one Holiday that we have in this country that everyone can participate in. There’s no religious affiliation, no political under-current, no person-specific glorification. Thanksgiving Day is a day when everyone actually pauses and considers the things they have to be thankful for (or at least the notion of “thankfulness” is brought to the forefront). And no matter who you are, or what condition you find yourself in, there’s something to be thankful for. Especially if you’re reading this blog, because that means that you have computer access and access to the internet (not to mention access to the greatest site on the web).

In my “old” age, I have my doubts about all the stories I’ve been taught about the origin of Thanksgiving; the Pilgrims and the “Indians” getting together happily and sharing the edible elements of their culture. No matter the origins though, I’m glad that it has turned into this very positive Holiday with a reputable purpose. Unfortunately I think it is too easily and too often glossed over by the Holidays that precede and follow it. Money-grubbing businesses and corporations, along with gift-hungry children, consumed by the decadence of Halloween and the selfishly commercialized nature of Christmas promote their madness without making mention of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving should not be glossed over. Thanksgiving should not be about eating Turkey (though I certainly enjoy it). Thanksgiving should not be that minor thing that happens in-between Halloween and Christmas. Thanksgiving should be a day that gives you pause and causes you to consider all the many things that you have to be thankful about.

That being said, take a moment and rewind your mind to this time last year. Recall where you were at. Consider the prospects that lay before you. Now, fast forward to today and remind yourself of all the things that transpired in the last 365 days (think big picture here). Since Thanksgiving 2004 there have been several natural disasters. Many of which were unprecedented and none of us could’ve anticipated at this time last year.

The Tsunami in the Indian Ocean claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The recent earthquake in Pakistan has claimed tens of thousands. The 2005 Atlantic Hurricane season is still taking lives well into the thousands. Tornadoes aplenty have sadly claimed their number of lives too. Several religious pilgrimages ended tragically as people were murdered at some, and stampeded at others. All-in-all, this year has been monumental with respect to natural disasters and the number of lives claimed and/or altered. And do I even need to mention the many people that have met their demise at the hands of war and fighting.


All those lives taken, all those people forever changed. And that could’ve been any one of us (as my mother often says, “but for the grace of God, there go I”). So indeed, in that very broad manner, we are blessed. But don’t forget the many things we often take for granted. Shoes on your feet, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, food on your table, money in your pocket, good health; these are all things to be thankful for. And trust me, where you live today (in your village, city or town…in your neighborhood…somewhere near you specifically…you don’t have to even think of the poor people in Africa to realize this), there are people that don’t have those things. And that is indeed something to be thankful for.

If there’s one fallacy of this wondrous holiday, it is that it lends itself to the lazy mentality. You know, it causes people to focus all their grateful energy on just this one day, then people go on living a life of selfishness and inconsiderateness. Every day you live, you have something to be thankful for. If you eat every day, you have something to be thankful for. If you have all your limbs, and all 5 senses, then you’re truly blessed.

So I suppose my “after-school-special” point of this blog is don’t just be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. Be grateful every day of your life, because no matter how impecunious your situation, you’re doing better than many, and things could certainly be worse off for you.

Happy Thanksgiving,
-Maelstrom

PS: In the last several weeks, I have learned that many more people than I thought actually read “The Vortex.” So, I am thankful that despite the (sometimes) weeks between posts, I’m able to garner a few minutes of your time. I’m certainly grateful for each and every reader and do hope that you continue to read this site.

And to Sara, who left a comment here at the end of my last post and noted that I hadn’t written her back (presumably on thefacebook), this is Maelstrom saying hello. It has indeed been a looooong time. I hope that you’re finding success in whatever it is that you’re doing, because I’m expecting great things out of you. And thank you for your many kind comments and for reading this site. I truly appreciate it. We will be in contact in the future, but for now, I hope this suffices.