To give, or not to give ‘thanks’, that is the question…
Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday that needs to be celebrated only once a year – to me, it’s a state of mind – where you get to choose your attitude and perspective. To celebrate thankfulness in the face of a tragedy, strife, hard times, or when it feels like things just aren’t going your way; that is the key to a grateful heart and a rich life.
What am I getting at here? To answer I share an ancient Chinese proverb, “Maybe So, Maybe Not”, and the story behind it.
One day, a farmer’s horse ran away. His neighbors expressed sympathy, “What terrible luck that you lost your horse!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
A few days later, the horse returned, leading several wild horses. The neighbors shouted, “Your horse has returned, and brought more with him. What great fortune!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
Later that week, the farmer’s son was trying to break one of the wild horses and got thrown to the ground, breaking his leg. The villagers cried, “Your son broke his leg, what a calamity!” The farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
A few weeks later, soldiers from the national army marched through town, conscripting all the able-bodied young men for the army. They did not take the farmer’s son because of his broken leg. Friends shouted, “Your boy is spared, what tremendous luck!” To which the farmer replied, “Maybe so, maybe not.”
My point? Good vs. Bad exists on a continuum; ‘it’ is only a concept, a judgment; one that, with time and a wider perspective, can shift. When ‘bad’ things occur, as in tragedy and strife, a ‘silver lining’, something for which you can be grateful: tiny nuggets of support, compassion, aid, hope and light – are apt to emerge.
While we may not like what is happening around or to us, we always have a choice of perspective – the option to take notice of and give thanks for what lifts us up, what potential exists.
Today and every day I give thanks for my innumerable blessings, be they ‘small’ or’ large’. And, I am not so quick to judge whether or not ‘it’ is worthy of thanks. Let’s celebrate thankfulness every day – not only on Thanksgiving – and may your thanks be bountiful.
NOV