THANKSgiving

The routine has become predictable.  Put in the turkey, watch some football, eat until you can't eat anymore and let everyone know what you are "thankful" for this year...in fact, even the things that one is thankful for has become pretty vanilla.  On a day that is designed to "give thanks" how many of us actually say "thank you" anymore?  The very basics have become a hassle and saying "thank-you" is a lost art- yet another example of our connection with others systematically eroding.  Replace the warm oven-backed feeling in your own gut of sharing "what I am thankful for this year" with the ability to make others feel special with a quick thank-you.  Be careful, if you do this often, you might just be thankful for all the great people in your life next Thanksgiving.

A couple of overlooked "thankful" items:

Sight: the ability to look at all the beauty of my family, the mountains, the ocean, etc...we take this one for granted every single day and it such a part of life.  The "picture is worth a thousand words" applies here...but multiplied by the hundreds and thousands of pictures we see each day.

Hearing: I have always believed that there is a rhythm to life and the conductor of this has always been music.  The opportunity to listen to music has certainly shaped my life, moods, and happiness.  But even if you are not a music fan there is something marvelous about the sounds of the ocean, birds chirping, etc...close your eyes, take in the sounds, and appreciate this incredible gift.

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