If we’re following current news streams or social media feeds, then we’ve likely noticed that we’re in Gratitude Challenge Season. It’s presumed to be a time when we challenge ourselves to be grateful for people, places and things in our lives. Sometimes we do this with ease. We’re thankful for a new job, raise, relationship or opportunity.
And, sometimes we don’t feel thankful. In fact, we may feel afraid, angry, confused, lonely, overwhelmed, sad or upset. Sometimes, an aspect of grief, whether immediate or unresolved, clouds our perspective. So, if we attempt to be thankful without acknowledging and owning our “negative” feelings, we may raise our voice, grit our teeth, clench our jaw, or shake our fist.
This is because the real challenge isn’t thanksgiving. It’s acceptance that sometimes life unfolds in painful ways which we don’t we like and/or didn’t choose. It’s realizing that thanksgiving and liking aren’t synonymous, that we don’t have to, nor are we commanded, to like everything. In fact, it’s a height of spiritual bypassing to believe that because we’re spiritual beings living an earthly experience that we “should.”
Our discovery of this, often as an “Ah-Hah” moment, brings us to another level of spiritual maturity. As we accept something we don’t like or didn’t choose, we can gently shift our perspective — the real challenge for many of us. Then our thanksgiving perspective shifts also. And we begin to feel grateful for such things as:
- An illness requiring extended rest, because we love the view of trees out our window; the softness and warmth of our blankets; movies on demand; library books; and homemade chicken soup.
- A layoff, because we can explore the true meaning and purpose of our work; learn a new skill or expand our creativity; notice new, open doors and opportunities; meet new people.
- A debt, because we see that we’re trusted, with credit, to pay our bills on time; reconsider which items we need to feel content and which we can release; reach a new level of trust in God as our supply and sustenance.
- A loved one’s death, because we appreciate the infinite love, guidance, wisdom, and joy they contributed to our lives; and our unique ability to share their gifts with others.
These are part of my thanksgiving list. Of course, we can add many others.
And, as we accept that life has challenges, we discover ways to feel thankful continually, in all seasons, so as Disciple Paul advised, we can “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And along the way, we embrace life as it is and discover new ways to transform it, knowing that no matter who we are, each of us is God’s Beloved, unconditionally loved, always and in all ways.
Happy Thanksgiving, Blessed Readers. Namaste.
© 2017 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks. All rights reserved.
Recent Comments