In 1621 the Pilgrims decided to celebrate a day of gratitude to God. Why? Because they believed that they had survived their first hard winter and reaped their first harvest in their new home thanks to the grace of God. The 56 survivors gave God the glory for their surviving the dangerous journey, the rough winter, the goodness of the indigenous people and the food they had been able to grow and harvest for the winter ahead. They considered themselves blessed by their creator God.
Today most of us in the U.S. don't have to worry about survival the way the Pilgrims did. I for one take for granted the food, shelter, clothing and good health I have. Perhaps my blessings are not so concrete as the Pilgrims were, but they are there just the same. My list of blessings looks like this: faith in the Triune God, people; the ones I live with now, my family living and dead, my friends, my community, the capacity to enjoy other people, nature, colors, music, books, computers, etc. sleep!, energy, health, humor and laughter and I could go on.
One more big gift is a good attitude, maybe I'm an optimist but from what I see of pessimists being an optimist is more fun.
A good sight for focus on blessings: www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Nov2006/Family.asp#F1
Thanks be to our good and loving God!
