A million and one thanks!
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. — English poet/journalist Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)
Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. — French novelist/journalist Alphonse Karr (1808-1890)
Despite America’s decline in leadership — from Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln down to George W. Bush; from hotel builder Conrad Hilton to nihilist great-granddaughter Paris Hilton; plus many economic, political, military, moral and other woes — I still admire one of their traditions rooted in their traditional strong faith: the annual Thanksgiving Day holiday proclaimed in 1863 by US President Abraham Lincoln for every final Thursday of November and prompted by a series of editorials by writer Sarah Josepha Hale. This commemorates the Christian pilgrims who sailed to
Even if we’re Asians, this is a good time to reflect on the many wonderful things on this beautiful yet imperfect planet and in this life that we should be thankful for. An ancient Chinese proverb says (in Mandarin) “Yin-suey shi-yuen,” which means whenever we drink water, we should remember the spring where it came from, never forgetting the past and always thankful. Here is my own (not yet complete) thanksgiving list:
• Be thankful that sunrises and sunsets are free, or else we couldn’t afford them.
• Be thankful that behind every storm is surely the rainbow of hope and future sunshine.
• Be thankful for stars: like diamonds in the velvet black of night, beautiful and free.
• Be thankful for our dreams, for life would have no excitement without them.
• Be thankful for small losses or small pains: many others on earth suffer worse.
• Be thankful for our home, whether small or big, for countless others are homeless.
• Be thankful for strangers who are Good Samaritans, so that we can be so to others, too.
• Be thankful for our family, for they help us become who we are and what we can be.
• Be thankful for true friends, because they are often more dependable than even kin.
• Be thankful for pet dogs, because they are always more loyal than friends.
• Be thankful for those who criticize us, because more people are destroyed by praise.
• Be thankful for those who doubt us, to motivate us to prove them dead wrong!
• Be thankful for our mistakes, because life would be so boring if we are all perfect.
• Be thankful if others try to oppress or cheat you, for it’s worse to be the oppressor.
• Be thankful for the chance to give: it’s a blessing to be able to share with others.
• Be thankful to those who have helped us: never forget them, but forget those we’ve helped.
• Be thankful to those who’ve wronged us: sincerely forgive them, but never forget!
• Be thankful for cruel odds or fate, because our victory shall then be so much greater.
• Be thankful for storms, so that we can better appreciate rainbows and sunshine.
• Be thankful for crisis, because what doesn’t destroy us can only strengthen us!
• Be thankful for crisis: a Chinese proverb says it brings dangers and also opportunities.
• Be thankful for crisis, for only then can we know who our true friends are.
• Be thankful for stress, so that we can be reminded to relax and balance our lives.
• Be thankful for tiredness, for it makes us sleep even better and more soundly.
• Be thankful for occasional noise, so that we can be grateful for silence and music.
• Be thankful for sublime music and art, so we can be reminded of excellence.
• Be thankful for poetry, good books and movies, so we have more in life to enjoy.
• Be thankful for the infinite beauty of nature, so we can be reminded of our mortality.
• Be thankful for solitude, to allow us time to reflect and continuously renew ourselves.
• Be thankful for hunger, so we can better appreciate food, no matter how simple.
• Be thankful for fine foods and wines, so we can relish the bounties of the forests and seas.
• Be thankful even for foods that aren’t delicious: at least we know we have good taste!
• Be thankful for waiting, so we can have time to rest, pause and think.
• Be forever thankful to all our teachers, whether in school, in our families, or in life.
• Be thankful for tears, for they wash away conceit and help us better enjoy laughter.
• Be thankful for every loss, so we may be humbled and challenged to persevere more.
• Be thankful for losses, reminding ourselves that they are only setbacks and not defeats.
• Be thankful for setbacks, because they give us priceless lessons no victories can offer.
• Be thankful for pain, for it makes us feel we’re alive and that we must be stronger!
• Be thankful for hard-earned victories, because easy gains are often so easily lost.
• Be thankful for risks, because life would have no challenges without them.
• Be thankful many of the best things in life are free, or else we’d all be broke.
• Be thankful for a clear conscience, because peace of mind and honor are priceless.
• Be thankful for wonderful parents, because their examples should forever inspire us.
• Be thankful for our free will, that all of us can choose and make our own destiny!
• Be thankful for good health, because it is more valuable than material wealth.
• Be thankful even if we are sick: at least we are still alive and every day is a miracle.
• Be thankful also for certainty of death, so that we can think and plan for our afterlife.
• Be thankful for answered prayers, reminding us that God exists and is all-powerful.
• Be thankful even for unanswered prayers, for not everything we want is good for us.
• Be thankful for our capacity to love and to be loved, for those are the essence of life.
• Be thankful for our blessings, counting them is better than counting hurts and regrets.
• Be thankful to those who forget to say thanks, so we can be reminded to be different!
* * *
Thanks to my editor for support and guidance, thanks to Catholic Mass Media Awards for two recent new awards, and thanks for all readers’ messages. Comments or suggestions welcome at willsoonflourish@gmail.com or wilson_lee_flores @yahoo.com.
