Giving Thanks Takes Reflection and Focused Attention Every Day

Giving Thanks Takes Reflection and Focused Attention Every Day

Wake up, go to school, go to practice, do homework, go to bed. That seems to be a typical Montrosian’s lifestyle. Lots of non-stop action and not so much time to pause and reflect. As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, our crazy lives can get in the way of realizing everything that we have to be thankful for.

Even Thanksgiving day can be hectic—family members running around, working hard to get the huge meal on the table. Oftentimes, we can’t actually reflect until our last bite of pumpkin pie is down the hatchet. But it is helpful to find time to consider the positive things that we have in life before November 24 comes this year.

When you wake up early after a late night, think of those who have no bed to sleep in, or those who did not sleep because they were fighting in war or working hard to afford to get their family’s breakfast. We have beds to sleep in, and pillow and blankets to keep us warm. Many people slept that night on the side of the road with nothing but maybe a little blanket to keep them warm, if anything at all.   

If you don’t like any of the food that is in your house, remember that there are so many people who do not have food to eat. As you eat your broccoli unwillingly, be grateful that you have broccoli to eat. There are so many people who don’t have the resources to eat three meals a day, and are continually making sacrifices for their loved ones to be able to have something to eat.

When you look at your agenda and see the multiple assignments due the next day, consider that so many children do not have a quality education. We are very fortunate to be able to receive the education that we do at Montrose. So many people can’t afford education at all, or maybe they live in a country where it is simply not possible for them to go to school.  

Every time you want to complain about something, remember that there is someone who has less than you do. Thanksgiving is a holiday that often gets swept under the mat. Radio stations are already playing Christmas music, and Target is decked out in Christmas decor. Even though Christmas is a fantastic holiday, we must not forget about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Whether it be big or small, there is always something we can find that we can be thankful for. So I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving, full of gratitude and turkey.