Thanksgiving!

The Dalai Lama was asked once what surprised him most about humanity. His answer:

“Man…Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present, the result being that he does not live in the present or the future.  He lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

I know you know why I’m sharing this today. We all have been trapped by the ‘system’ over the years. Even when young we learned to work hard to earn some money so we could buy that one toy or special object we thought we simply could not live without. Later as that ‘thing’ gathered dust from disuse, we forgot about it and set our sights on something else.

Even as we aged we motivated ourselves to achieve educational milestones, a new car, a special watch or new pair of shoes. We later turned our sights on housing standards and which house could we dream of buying and improving? And then the next house even larger, with more bells and whistles.

We fell in love, married and had children. We worked hard to clothe the kids and share life experiences we were sure mattered to them – the trips, the treats, the special times together. And then their education. Saving and investing so they would get the education they needed and wanted.

Through the years we have striven to do and get. Along the way we have worn out our bodies and sapped our spiritual and emotional health. The Dalai Lama is right. We have sacrificed much but wind up still wanting. I think the saddest part is not living in the present, not fully living at all.

Thanksgiving is but one day. It should be lived and recalled everyday. We are blessed with much, even in poverty! We have each other. We have our health to understand and enjoy this day and every day. We can watch the birds, the machines, the weather, the aromas of life and the sounds of people being busy with life. We can recall stunning vistas we have seen – Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, Caribbean beaches, Arizona blue skies, deep ocean blues – so many things of natural beauty that are a wonder. We did not make them. We see them. We experience them.  We appreciate them.

We ought never to take them for granted. Be thankful for them. Remember them. And the people in your life. They are the true wonders of your life, and mine!

I remember taking Sunday auto drives into the farmland not far from our home. In dead of winter I viewed the snow covered expanse of dormant corn and soy bean fields. I recall telling my kids that they need to see that vista as a vast sleeping giant! The agricultural miracle that would happen again and again in that soil to produce world class crops of corn and soybeans to feed the nation and world. I know the kids reacted with a bored ‘huh!’; but now years later they recall that ride and that admonition. Behold the sleeping giant! ~ The potential of the land; of the people; of the mind.

These are dimensions of life we take for granted. I know that because I have done so repeatedly. At times I am reminded of this. And so this day I share this truth with anyone who reads or listens to these words:  Be thankful for what you don’t see. It is very much a part of your life and to be valued.

On this day for sure be thankful. Better yet, resolve to make each day one of thanksgiving!

November 28, 2013