They tell me it’s hard to be grateful when you’re dead broke. As in zero moolah in your bank account and loads of debt. A good friend told me of a time he was sunk to the tune of millions and it was all he could do to face himself in the mirror in the morning.
I wouldn’t presume to know better what people should feel in those times. But perhaps it would be a good idea to be grateful while I can. After all, it’s Thanksgiving in the US, one of the holidays there that I like and want to import here in the Philippines even if there’s a lot of skepticism about it. Get Rich Slowly has a neat video and post on why Thanksgiving can be good even without turkey circa 1951!
Another reason is that I write about money every day and while I know I should be thankful for what those little coins and bills bring, it’s important to focus on the real reason why we want to fix our finances. Not for money’s sake or the things that go ka-ching, but for things like security, family, health, service to God and community, helping others and so on.
Digerati said it well:
… money is a replaceable asset, a distant second to many other things that we all wish we could permanently have and forever keep, but which we only end up receiving in what seemingly feels like short, sporadic periods throughout our lives.
So, I’m grateful for:
(Photo from AFP)
- time. Time to heal, to make amends, to start over, to think of things celestial, to ponder on light and truth, to laugh aloud
- little grubby fingers that grab you and children who hug you and make you feel you’re 10 feet tall at the end of a crazy busy day
- last week’s momentary misunderstandings, because that means hubby and I are still together after 15 years
- mom’s health and sense of humor
- two home angels who have served my family for years and keep my kalamansi juice fresh
- more than 20 articles waiting to be written, because that means I am doing what I love to do
- friends who text “ei, musta? Wala lang.”
- the feel of fresh sheets
- blogging, which makes me jump up from bed every morning. (I kid you not)
- email and the Internet, for making it possible to work at home
**turns to you, and gives you my full attention**
It’s your turn.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
@bagua, your list is heartwarming. you sound like a businesswoman! i wish you luck in all that you do!
@tubbykat, see you there too on Wednesday!
@Ron, thanks for sharing that. World Peace!
@schubert, those are definitely things that one can have even without money!
@The Digerati Life, we can do thanksgiving every day hehe.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Thanks Salve! Just wanted to greet you a Happy Thanksgiving, kahit medyo late.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
-the assurance that your family loves you when you’re down
-that your close friends will catch you when you need them the most
-that a few unexpected things crop up in the middle of a busy day
-that there are so many things left undiscovered… places, friends, ideas that you discover every day
November 24th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I used to pray for many things; ask for a lot of favors from HIM but for the past so many years now, i have aleady stopped praying for a favor. I just thanked HIM for eveything that HE has been showering to me.
And i am very thankful that my prayers contain nothing now except thanksgiving.
sounds “world peace” kind of answer… and to some “foolish contentment”… worse… “early surrender to fate”…
but I just shrugged these repartee off.
I am content I just want to thank HIM for that.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
just to add to the list –>
i’m thankful for:
- having a Mom who’s hardworking, and has inspired me to be the same
- having a Hubby that balances me out
- having a decent job
see you in Tektite on Nov 28th!