cheerfulmonk
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When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
—-Gilbert K. Chesterton
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
—Gilbert K. Chesterton
Do you agree with Chesterton? I do. I believe that Thanksgiving is every day and that when I lose touch with that I need to do something to change my life circumstances or attitude or both. It strikes me as simple common sense, and now scientists are saying that people who are grateful tend to be healthier, happier and more successful in life. What do you think?
That said, my husband and I bought a small, precooked turkey for the day. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving? If so, how?
Normally we do it at home, usually with one or both of our daughters — and their families — visiting.
This year, we’re picking up our son-in-law’s mom and heading to Little Rock for Thanksgiving with our oldest daughter and her hubby.
Son in France (normally OR), son at Livermore CA, daughter in Sweden, daughter in Cleveland OH. We’re alone for holidays. We’re going out to eat today. Saving our turkey when some family will be here.
Correlation is not causation. People who are healthy and happy probably are more grateful than the poor and miserable.
I think we need ways to move through the emotions we don’t enjoy.
I used to notice that the grocery store boys (stock & carryout–low level jobs) joked & laughed a lot. I thought we serious but well off people don’t have so much fun.
Now they don’t laugh. They have to work hard or lose their jobs.
Jean quote-above “…my husband and I bought a small, precooked turkey for the day.”
I talked to her. She made arrangements to pick up the cooked turkey this morning & it was FROZEN. It needs to be defrosted 24 to 36 hours. Instead of turkey dinner, she’s cleaning closets & cupboards.
Well, go ahead & LOL. She does. That’s what cheerfulmonks do.
Mike,
Have a great time! Kaitlin and Torben came last Thanksgiving and will come for Christmas this year. If anything we don’t encourage them to come for the holidays because travel can be such a nuisance then. The Chicago area is a long way from New Mexico.
bikehikebabe,
Yes the groups (as I recall several groups trade off) who cook for the community are performing a real service. I went once to see what it was like. It was very friendly.
We actually picked the turkey up yesterday morning, which helped a lot. I finished the defrosting by soaking the turkey in water this afternoon. The interesting thing it was bigger than advertised so it didn’t fit in our roasting pan and it wasn’t completely cooked…it was still a bit bloody when we sliced into it. So we cut in in pieces, cooked enough for dinner and will cook the rest tonight. Not quite as carefree as one might expect. It was an experiment and makes a good adventure story. We probably won’t do it again. 😀
Evan,
Not all poor people are miserable and certainly not all wealthy people are happy. We made sure that our daughter wasn’t “under deprived” when she grew up. We wanted her to understand the joy of working for things you want. My husband and I were both relatively poor when we grew up…that’s probably one reason we appreciate what we have now.
“I think we need ways to move through the emotions we don’t enjoy.” Sure, that’s why I wrote, “when I lose touch with that I need to do something to change my life circumstances or attitude or both.” Commitment and practice. Commitment and practice. It works for me. What works for you?
It was a good meal. They were so excited to have his mom and us there for a holiday meal. Our daughter had a schedule for what had to be done when and we got there just as there was a 30 minute break.
She wanted us to come there because she had to be up very early to be at the store for Black Friday.
Yesterday’s comment was a quick note before we headed out the door. Thinking about giving thanks, I’d have to say that I, too, am very often grateful for the way things are. Karen’s family was relatively poor and, economically, I went from poor to lower middle class to very poor as a kid.
“Commitment & practice. Commitment & practice.”
I’m chanting.
Head up, shoulders back. Put away that pile of clothes NOW! It’s working!
Well Thanksgiving Day is not even on any calendar in NZ.
I guess we do other things though which have more to do with our true British Colonalism ideals – not anything seem remotely related to your Thanksgiving Day though 🙂
Comments about miserable/poor or rich/happy – can be a double edged sword. Sometimes very poor people are more happy those the rich who are forever worrying about whether the stock exchange is up or down – IMHO…
I guess it’s about how one views life. I am neither rich or poor – somewhere in between but much of the time I see myself as rich – even when the pennies are not remotely near my purse!
Mike,
I’m glad you had a good time. I can imagine that your daughter was happy to be the hostess for a change. I forget exactly where you live. How far is it to Little Rock?
How does your daughter feel about Black Friday? How early did she have to get up?
bikehikebabe,
I can just picture you doing that. 🙂
Cathy,
I agree that being rich doesn’t necessarily mean one has a pile of money. In the past whenever I would tell my husband how rich we are he would argue. He was thinking in terms of bank accounts. I didn’t give up and he finally gets it.
We’re about an hour and a half west and north of Little Rock, with most of the drive on I40.
She had to be at the store by 3 a.m. She’s a sales manager in one of the largest department stores in the state. In recent years, she’s really disliked the holiday season because, in large part, of her experiences with the retail side of it. However, this year, she’s really upbeat about the holidays and I think she’s managing to separate work from the spirit of the holidays.
Mike,
My sister was in retail trade so I know how hectic that can be.
I’m glad you live so close to your daughter. Flying sounds like a nightmare now.