Even at Thanksgiving, giving thanks isn't easy
As much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. – Theodore Roosevelt
Raise your hand if you have trouble with the holidays. Yeah, me too!
They aren't easy under the best of conditions. There's a lot of pressure. It's tough to remember all the good things in your life. It's hard to be grateful.
The above photo is a shelter in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. It was also my home for more than a year. Recently, I started teaching a writing/journaling class there. I remembered how cathartic it is to write about your problems and thought it could be helpful to the people that are living there now.
Well, we aren't doing a lot of writing but we are doing a lot of talking. I've heard the stories about how they ended up in their current situation. The stories are fairly typical of people experiencing homelessness...addiction, job loss, illness, bad decisions, etc. I know those stories...I've lived those stories. What's refreshing is they aren't dwelling on those stories. They have plans and are looking forward to their future. They can see their way out and are moving to make a better life for themselves and their families.
If that isn't uplifting, I don't know what is. How can you not feel grateful for all you have when you see this?
Tomorrow is another Thanksgiving. I'm having dinner with my new friends at the shelter. I'll help them set up, serve and clean up after the meal. We'll exchange stories and it should be a very nice evening. It's not a selfless act at all....I'll probably get more out of it than they will.
The good news for me, is I'll get to go home afterwards. Hopefully for them, that's not too far away.
Here's a little Thanksgiving music for you. Enjoy your holiday.
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