Thankfulness 22 Nov 2007 09:44 am
What makes us Thankful?
I was thinking today about the things I’m thankful for, the things other list that they’re thankful for, and what motivates us all to choose what we do. It’s just thinking out loud, and certainly not definitive, but I guess everything on our lists is something that, either through it’s presense or absense, has a positive impact on our lives or the lives of those we love. My next thought was how Living Deliberately, and that process of identification and analysis about each how each aspect of our lives contributes to our bigger picture, actually leads to a more thankful life because as a result, less is taken for granted. The slush is removed from life, things are taken down to their simplified and streamlined truth, and what’s left is truly wanted and valued.
It takes courage and bravery to look at something that may be damaging in our lives and then to do something about it. In the case of debt annhilation, it takes sacrifice. When striving to live more healthfully, it will often require more effort, as convenience products are often disregarded for their wastefullness or lack of nutritonal worth. What’s left at the end of this process though is honest reality; no more pretense, denial, or self-medication. “It is what it is” has become one of my favorite sayings because it looks at the truth of what something is at it’s core, and leaves me only with the task of dealing with my own response to it and not with the added option of trying to control or change what is not within my abilty to do so with.
That led me today to the Serenity prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
May each of you have a wonderful day, whatever setting you may be within.
on 22 Nov 2007 at 9:50 am 1.Jill said …
Happy Thanksgiving!
on 22 Nov 2007 at 10:27 pm 2.dalimama said …
The Serenity prayer is full of wisdom, isn’t it? I think all of my counseling in the past year could truly be summed up in this prayer… the ability to accept the things that I can’t change and courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference. So, so true. You can’t change anyone but yourself.
Happy Thanksgiving, dear Sister!
Love
Dalissa
on 29 Nov 2007 at 12:54 am 3.dalimama said …
Hey, I was at counseling today and do you realize that there is more to the serenity prayer than the lines you wrote? I didn’t really realize it but my counselor gave me a copy so when I have the copy out of my purse, I’ll type it out to you… pretty interesting, it is, and even more apropos.
Much love to you, dear sister. I wish we lived closer!
I think our children would get along splendidly!