Thanksgiving perspective

Thanksgiving is now two weeks away – can you believe it? It makes the timing of something I recently read from author Matthew Kelly so perfect.

We have 8.3 billion people on the planet today. Mr. Kelly challenged readers to imagine reducing this population to 100 people. Proportionally, this is how the world would look:

1. Six of the 100 people would own or control more than 50 percent of the world’s wealth. Five of those six would be U.S. citizens.
2. Only seven of those 100 people would have been to college.
3. 80 would be living in substandard housing, with 24 having no electricity.
4. 31 would be unable to read and write.
5. 71 would not have access to the internet.
6. 39 would live on less than two dollars a day.
7. One-third is dying from lack of bread; another third from lack of justice; and another third from overeating.

This sobering picture yanked me out of my own little world. In fact, Mr. Kelly stated, “our worldview constantly needs challenging.”

I know I’ve had moments when I’ve been far from grateful, especially when our finances have been stretched thin and I’ve wondered how we’re going to pay our bills. But I’ve never had to wonder where my next meal is coming from. I’ve always had a roof over my head and clothes on my back.

Mr. Kelly talked about living in a state of gratitude. He interviewed people who have an overwhelming sense of their lives having been blessed. What surprised him is the individuals weren’t any more blessed than others. But they regularly took time to identify the people, opportunities, and possessions bringing them gratitude.

Simply put, Matthew Kelly wrote, “We are at our best when we are grateful.”

In two weeks, we’ll have the opportunity to be our best selves. We’ll gather with family and/or friends around a table with wonderful food. I’ve seen some fun suggestions about how to express our gratitude on the holiday, ranging from writing down our blessings on a kraft paper tablecloth to sharing “the top three things I’m grateful for” on notecards.

No matter what, I hope we remember to take time to truly focus on being thankful and counting our blessings. Yes, there’s the parade, football, and of course, delicious food. But we can’t forget: the name of the holiday is Thanksgiving – or as my friends in the South accurately say, “THANKS-giving.”

By the way … in addition to the “thanks” part of the holiday … maybe we can discuss the “giving” part as well. If you feel incredibly blessed in your life, are there ways you can give back to others with your time, talent, and/or treasure? With the Christmas season around the corner, perhaps this can become part of your Thanksgiving conversation as well.

Amy Shankland is an empty-nester, writer, and fundraising professional living in Noblesville with her husband John and two dogs. You can reach her via email at amys@greenavenue.info.