Why Should I Be?

I know today is supposed to be Poetry Wednesday, but I just didn't have it this morning. Instead, I would like to tell you what's really on my mind.

Sometimes, our life seems like it's going straight to hell. Whether it be work, a living situation, or recent life changing events, it doesn't always go the way we hoped or planned, and let's face it, that sucks. Within the last week or so, I've heard more sad stories than good ones, and I've done my fair share of complaining.

This is supposed to be the time of year we count our blessings and give thanks. It's pretty hard to do when you're facing the recent death of a loved one or the return of a recurring illness. So with all this bad news, and sad events, why should we be so thankful?

Everything we have in life, even the things we feel have been taken away from us, were a gift to us. When we were born, we didn't come with a guarantee of health, our loved ones didn't come with a guarantee of being there our whole life, and our life didn't come with a certificate of pleasantries.

If you have recently lost a loved one, give thanks for the time you had with them. You weren't promised a single day with them, let alone the amount of time you got. All that time, and all those good memories were a gift. If you or a loved one is facing serious illness, give thanks. Although facing sickness sucks, be thankful that person is still in your life or that you are still in the life of the ones who love you. Be thankful that you still have time to make more memories.

If you have a job you hate, be thankful you have one at all. If you don't have a job, be grateful you don't have a job you hate. If you hate where you live, be happy you have a home. If you're without a home, be happy you don't have to pay rent or a mortgage. Not where you want to be? Be glad you aren't where you were.

Thanksgiving isn't a time to pretend everything is perfectly fine. It's just a time to be thankful for things, even when we don't feel like we should.