When I woke up this morning, I turned on my computer and was saddened to find a flurry of facebook posts, chastising meat-eaters for their Thanksgiving meal choices. As a proud poultry-tarian, I was a bit offended by it all, but it wasn't for the normal reasons. I realized that reading those posts made me feel like people were losing sight of the "real" meaning of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving isn't about what you're eating. I don't care what you're eating. Some people will eat turkey, some people will eat tofu, some people will eat pasta. And that's all great. Thanksgiving is about having one day a year specifically devoted to thinking about all the wonderful gifts we are given in our lives and how lucky we are to have whatever it is that we have. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. Whatever you choose to put in your body to that effect is your choice, and yours alone.
We take so much for granted every day. Can't we for one day let go of our different opinions and preferences to all reflect on this fact?
I am thankful for so much. I am thankful for a family who welcomes me back with open arms and sends me away again with love and support. I am thankful for friends who do the same, who come to visit me from all over the globe, who call and write and continually show me how much they value our friendship, and genuinely want the best for me always. I'm thankful for my co-workers at the zoo, and to be part of such an inspiring community. I'm thankful for the education that I've received, for the opportunities that I've been given to travel, study, and pursue my dreams. I'm thankful for financial comfort and good health. I'm thankful to have such an amazing home, so full of loved ones, to come back to every holiday. To name a few.
In the end, today so far I've seen more posts about good-will than judgment. I've received more text messages with kind words than promotion of an alternate agenda. So I suppose I'm thankful for that, as well.
What are YOU thankful for?
1 comment:
YOU!
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