Sunday, November 30, 2008
Beyond Thanksgiving Towards Personal Growth
Now that we've allowed the thanksgiving Holy Day to become the slingshot into the christmas shopping season, complete with the maniacal black friday opening act, I wonder if thankful is how we're really living?
I am thankful for my portion of the Spirit.
My appreciation lies with my children.
I have much gratitude for those I've never seen but extend their self in order to extend a helping hand. Jeisea is one of those people whose kindness, courage and strength epitomize personal growth and perseverance.
I appreciate those who get up or help others get up.
I am thankful for opportunity more than attainment.
I am thankful for not wasting natural resources.
As I considered what to write for today, I received a call from my sister. I am thankful for conversations. She just turned 50, started her renaissance in her early forties, maintaining rhythm and progressing.
I appreciate having the daily choice to celebrate thankfulness and in my own way. Especially in much smaller, simpler, less overindulgent ways. Can we really be thankful if we're not reaching for our better selves? Any day towards personal growth is a Happy Holy Day yet days we fail to celebrate are just as sacred. Anybody for an everyday celebration or a Personal Growth Party where we eat enrichment, not entertainment, and drink wisdoms and enjoy the desserts of diversity and dreams?
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I truly enjoy reading "Beyond Thanksgiving Towards Personal Growth" it made me pause and take a long look at myself and the things I've done in this life time. I am forever grateful of life learned lesson and hope to get better as the days goes by.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the inside of yourself. This is significant. May we continue to honor the spirit of thanksgiving by reflecting, refining and encouraging.
ReplyDeleteAmina (So be it)
Amen (So be it)
P.S. Your feedback has been the final inspiration to unleash thoughts within me. I hope to post this in the next week or two. Asante.
Your insight is filled with wisdom and humility. I've read Jeisea's story several times and I'm always amazed by her ability to be able to look past her personal , seemingly insurmountable challenges and then find and share her peace and growth. It made me really think about your statement "can we really be thankful if we're not reaching for our better selves? ". I think in some instances the development of gratitude is thrust upon us in ways that we would be sure to alter if we had the opportunity, however perhaps through the most agonizing journeys of our experience in this life, during the times when your challenges are constant and present, is when we discover the purest form of appreciation. Starting with myself, I believe most find gratitude after wounds have been healed, lack has been replaced and retrospection is inevitable. This is a powerful, good and beautiful thing, but people like Jeisea and maybe even yourself are the phenomenal images to study. Good report.
ReplyDeleteConsider sharing your comments regarding Jeisea with her.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bottom line is how we're living that's at the core of being thankful. At the core of living is the core of thinking which is belief.