By Staff
Mounds of pages of special offers, events too far away and other unrequested information come our way each day in the editorial bin, poised next to the fax machine.
Most are tossed after a cursory glance.
Today, though, one article caught my eye as it was almost dropped into the waste bin.
Maybe it was that we could publish it "without any cost or obligation." Or it could have been the headline, "Rocket Fuel For the Mind."
Whatever it was, Bryan Golden's piece, Thanksgiving: Have an Attitude of Gratitude, stayed in my hand and is now making its way into my weekly column.
Thanksgiving isn't as much fun as it used to be when I could get out my good china and make the only pie I do well – pumpkin.
With the scattering of children around the country, and the necessity of working the day after the holiday, Thanksgiving has just become another day off.
For me, Thanksgiving may have even become a day of self- pity.
"Rather than lamenting what you feel is lacking in your life, begin each new day by developing an attitude of gratitude," Golden writes.
He suggests making an inventory of "blessings." The basics are food, shelter, transportation and those who care about you. If you have these, you are "wealthy," he adds.
Thanksgiving is the time to think about these nuggets of wisdom which Golden offers.
"Be happy for everything there is, not upset over what you feel is missing."
Being bitter or resentful isn't hard when you work long hours, haven't had a raise, don't get any help around the house or fill in the blank _______.
But as Golden suggests, bitterness makes it hard to achieve a goal.
It also accomplishes nothing.
Rather, he says, we should focus on gratitude, each and every day.
I remember my aunt used to have a little book put out by a church on the back of her toilet which provided a daily reading.
They were always very inspirational and uplifting. Short stories which had a message.
You can also make up a list, Golden says, an inventory of all the things, even the insignificant ones, which are good in your life. This can be read every morning.
By making every day "a day of Thanksgiving," he adds, "you will be amazed how much better life will become."
Today I got an E-mail that my girl friend's father died. She died at age 50, about eight years ago and her mother joined her this summer. Now it was her mother's birthday and her husband of 64 years would be with her and his daughter to celebrate.
At the time of her mom's death, I wrote a column of my memories of visiting at their house, eating their wonderful food and enjoying being accepted as part of the family.
I was going to write the dad, send him my column and find out how he was doing.
I never got around to it.
Now it's too late.
The people we value won't always be with us.
Maybe this Thanksgiving it would be a good time to reconnect and tell those we love how much they mean to us – without the burden of worrying about buying them a present.
What would they like? How much should I spend? All those questions which come with buying Christmas presents every year aren't needed at Thanksgiving.
Here is a time to share food and love and tell each other how grateful you are that they love you.
Golden writes if you dwell on what you are missing, you may even start to resent those who appear to have more than you.
"If you only had more money, more time, a bigger house, a different car, a different job, a different boss …."
The frustration of this vicious cycle of feeling like a victim will kill all chances of improving your life. Let's try a better way.