Giving Thanks

hand jive turkey photo source

There seems to be a heckuva lot of gratitude going around these early November days.  I'm jumping on the bandwagon, but with a twist.  In my meditation group, one regular gratitude practice is to think of something that is easy to be grateful for, and something that is difficult to be grateful for.  While I'm not always an advocate for finding a silver lining, it is helpful - when you are working to feel happy about today - to try to find some value in life's challenges.

Tonight there are many things that are easy to be grateful for.  Starting with the fire in our fireplace right now.  So glad I grabbed that clean burning duralog on my last trip to WF.  It makes me feel cozy and snug when the weather is so mean and cold outside.

Then there's Judah's half-birthday today.  I made a cake (yes it had zucchini, carrots, and walnuts in it - but it was decorated with lemon cream cheese frosting), which he loved, and he got to pick out a few books from his school book fair this morning and I am just so grateful to be here for another happy day in his life.  Like I said, easy.

I am ever so grateful about the results of last night's election.  Between the increase in women voted into our national government, the approval of equal marriage rights in 4 states, and the president, I am profoundly grateful that the opportunity is there for our leaders to make good change in our country (and even further out into the universe).  I am not going to go too deep into the politics as it can get sticky, but I will say, as a person with a cancer history, I am so grateful for Obamacare, most especially the clause about preexisting conditions.  As long as this law continues to be upheld (by our dear SUPREME COURT), I will always be eligible for health insurance.  And so will you.

I am grateful for new movies coming out (Les Mis!, This is 40).  Grateful for TiVo and commercial skipping.  I am grateful for Ayelet Waldman and her book Bad Mother, which makes me feel like a good one.

Now.  Here's where it gets a little tricky.  Something not so easy to be grateful for...

Well, I could say that the election was an awful waste of millions (billions?) of dollars, stressful back and forth, scary threats and lots of lies.  I am grateful that we've had the experience because we have the chance to reflect on how harmful it can be to the health of us ordinary citizens.  The stress was overwhelming, but the relief palpable.  I am grateful to feel relief.

Can you think of something you're grateful for?  Something easy or maybe not..?