Happy Thanksgiving

Whether or not you choose to celebrate it, today is thanksgiving...

Now, I don't feel the need to have a specific day to be thankful, however it did cause me to wonder just what I am thankful for and how often I either take things for granted or just overlook things which are completely amazing! I think that if anybody simply takes the time to look around them they will see plenty of things to be 'thankful' for. Things to be in awe of. Things that we would probably miss if we did not have.

However, I think that people find it very easy to get too hung up on the things that they don't have. Things that they want.

You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. (Exodus 20:17)

I don't think anybody can deny that at some point in their day, week, month, year, they covet something. Whether it be somebodies lunch when your sandwiches have gone soggy, or money, or family, or life. In this day and age we all want more. Anything we have is never enough. When asked how much money does it take for a person to be really satisfied? John D Rockefeller replied 'Just a little bit more'.

There are many people who spend their life trying to find fulfilment in material things: possessions, lifestyles, bank balance, sometimes they remain unsatisfied. I think that it is due to covetousness that the world is in such a mess. Exploitation, war, etc etc etc are all caused by greed. People wanting more money, power, land...I often wonder if people are happy. Once they get what they want. When they exceed last months profit margins, When 100's are dead, When they have turned kids out of their youth hall in order to make way for a luxary hotel. Are they happy? Are they thankful for all that they have? All that they have achieved?

To try and change the way people think, the things people find value in would be an impossible task. We live in a materialistic society. Sadly it seems that the days when you could be 'successful' without having the desire to work your way up the career ladder, earn a 6 figure sum, own several cars, go on expensive trips...

I think that some people can fear not being successful, not being popular, not being rich...but there are so many limitations to wealth!

Money can buy medicine, but not health.
Money can buy a house, but not a home.
Money can buy companionship, but not a friendship.
Money can buy entertainment, but not happiness.
Money can buy food, but not an appetite.
Money can buy a bed, but not sleep.
Money can buy a crucifix, but not a saviour. (Anon)

I think it is important to remind ourselves that such things are temporary. Wanting does not lead to contentment, only disappointment that we don't always have what we want. We will not be content/fulfilled until we are happy with what we have. When we are thankful for what we've got.

Remember:

You are alive!
You live in a physically beautiful world.
You have greater freedom and more secuirty than the majority of people in the world.
You have friends and family that DO care about you...

...What are you thankful for?