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As we approach the holiday known as Thanksgiving, celebrated with family, food and the rememberance of the reason for the tradition, giving thanks, I was reminded today of how hard it is somethimes, to actually be thankful - to count our blessings and be grateful for them.
It is so easy for many of us to look around and see many things that other folks have, that must give them reason to be thankful, especially when we see what they "have" vs what we obviously "don't have". A simple image today set me off on this thought. I was walking through the harbor at AYH in Red Hook and spotted this really large yacht docked at the end of a pier. I saw some people moving around inside, and thought, hmmmm, maybe if I walk over there.........well, you never know what could happen, right?..........imagining that they'd start a chat with me and end up asking if I wanted to come aboard, right? Nah! I am fascinated by boats so walked closer for a better look. On the stern there were two jet, ski's, the "get to shore dinghy - hardly a dinghy", and multiple tanks for scuba diving. At the bow, several surf boards were covered and lashed protectively. Looked like they had all the "right stuff" for a great time on the water: plenty for them to be thankful for, I thought.
I got a little sad, as I started thinking of all the things that I didn't have this Thanksgiving, and wishing my life was somehow different. Maybe I wouldn't "need" a yacht of that size, or any yacht for that matter, but it would be nice. Then, as I walked from the Safari cab up the street to my apt by the sea, the sun was going down over Compass Point, and I was reminded that it was the simple things that I have to be thankful for, the beauty of where I have chosen to live, and the warmth of friends, albeit far away at the moment........obvious things, but I was reminded of something even more important.
There are clearly folks that have more than I, but, there are also many, who have a whole lot less. This humbling thought allows me to be Thankful at Thanksgiving for the God given goodness that surrounds my simple life, and allows my prayer for those in need all around us. God Bless Us Everyone. Giving Thanks.....NO buts!
Posted : November 25, 2003 10:12 pm
Hi Paul...
Having had a lot in my life, I'm just finishing up getting rid of most of it. You might think possestions are trophies of success, but what you really own possesses you.
I never felt as free as I do now, not having to care about material things, I now I have much more time for the things I really want to spend time with, friends, family, and activities that I enjoy, without the maintainence or worry of possesstions.
Moving on to a sailboat requires that you lighten your load, and I have discovered that the ultimate sophistication is simplicity.
Enjoy your holiday Paul, those folks with all the toys will probley have to spend the night guarding them....to tired to enjoy them the next day....
Happy Happy,
Andrew
Posted : November 25, 2003 10:24 pm
....It's funny, huh? We spend the first half of our lives accumulating the possessions that prove our success and the second half of life getting rid of all that crap. I will be Thankful this Thanksgiving for the wisdom of my years and for the energy to "get simple" the sooner, the better. Missed you in Salt Lake Last Week.
Mermaby
Posted : November 26, 2003 12:43 am
Greetings Mermaby!
Didn't know you were there!....at a Homeland Security conference, did a presentation on the Elizabeth Smart search. Met with the family and some of those that helped back then. Did the book pr thing and jetted back home for the holidays....
I hope you've recovered from your "escape" to the islands and re-capture by life in the states, and ready for the upcoming holidays. The turkeys seem a little nervous around here, don't know why though....
Have a Happy Happy gobble day there, let me know where your going to be next and I'll see if I am scheduled to appear near there..
Andrew
Posted : November 26, 2003 3:03 am
I am thankful that I have a husband that looks forward to me coming home...
I am thankful that I have a home to come to, that is warm when it's cold outside, and cool when it's hot outside.
I am thankful that both my parents are still alive, and my three brothers are still here, one having returned safe from Vietnam, another after serving in the USAF, that all my nieces and nephews have grown up healthy, and drug free.
I am thankful that I have a job I love, though it drives me nuts sometimes.
I am thankful that I have the funds to travel to StJ every year and enjoy the beauty there.
I could go on but you all get the picture. Count your blessings everyone, even if it doesn't seem you have any, because most people have something to be thankful for!
Happy Holidays.
Posted : November 26, 2003 8:48 pm
