Rather than listing individual things that I am grateful for, I am writing on the broader concept of gratitude because it is something that I personally struggle with.
Although I certainly recognize in an abstract sense that I lead a very blessed life, sometimes in practice I struggle with gratitude and I wind up complaining a lot: My house isn't big enough for my kids to have their own rooms. My car is always breaking down. Our healthcare premium keeps going up.
Other times, I have moments of clarity. One such moment happened today: My life is such that I can get in my car and drive to the store (with no concerns for my own safety), buy ingredients for two homemade pies (our contribution for the big family Thanksgiving meal), and then come home and have the time and means to prepare them. Not only is money not an obstacle for our Thanksgiving dinner this year, but my family also has the free time and a safe environment in which to be able to observe this holiday.
It becomes evident that these blessings are rare when I consider the world at large (disposable income, abundant food, free time, safe environment), and they become even rarer when I increase the scope of my comparison to consider the inhabitants of the Earth throughout its history.
I can only imagine the pain that a mother would feel to watch her child go hungry...or to slowly watch them starve. I can only imagine what it would be like to send my little child to a dangerous factory to work long hours, or to watch them shiver with cold at night. I have been blessed to live in a time and place where I have been spared that pain. And that I am grateful for.
My kids may not have their own rooms, but they do have their own beds :) . I have a very nice, though fairly old minivan. I can go to the store without impediment and purchase items for our Thanksgiving dinner. With the right perspective, it really is incredible.
We have all heard the phrase, "Check your privilege." I think we could also consider the suggestion to "Check your entitlement," or "Check your gratitude." As I have said, I am as guilty as anyone at struggling with gratitude, but what I do know is that in those moments of clarity--when I really do acknowledge what I really do have to be grateful for--in those moments, I feel blessed beyond measure.
