Look Around

In case you didn't know, this week is Thanksgiving holiday in the States. I suppose it's sadly predictable then that I would mull over this season.

One question this topic brings to mind is—where am I on the gratitude scale? Where are you?

I went through a particularly hard time the end of last year and beginning of 2010. A friend also felt weighed down in this wonderful-world-of-woe-is-me. We recognized our need to focus on our blessings instead of our problems, so we began to e-mail each other each weekday sharing praises. Sometimes we wrote paragraphs; sometimes only a couple of words. Somehow those praise began to lift us out of the slough of despondency, freeing us to look around at all the wonders from God.

Cultivating a thankful heart takes work, but there is little joy that rivals it. 

With gratitude comes clear vision to see, truly see, a sunrise or sunset and whisper, "Thank You, Father!" With it comes the thrill of longing for someone you love who is close enough to touch or a phone call away, realizing that it is a blessing today and not a guarantee for tomorrow. 

Your sense of touch, of smell is heightened to the peak of appreciation. Distant laughter brings a smile to your face. You notice the small answers to prayer that shows just how intimately God's cares for you.

Thanksgiving isn't a time of year. Yet, if you celebrate it as special holiday, may it be the start of a new attitude of gratitude. Wherever we are on the scale, let's concentrate on becoming more thankful people.

And true gratitude is sharing. So, what are you thankful for? 

(If you are now in the mood, you can go to Cyber Hymnal and sing along to "Count Your Blessings.")

Look Around

Recently, I watched one of my favourite movies-Awakenings. Based on a true story, I appreciate the brilliant acting, filming, script, and directing, but also the chance to be reminded about life.

The story takes place in the early 70s in a chronic hospital in the Bronx, New York. A research doctor, Dr. Sayer, becomes interested in certain patients that are catatonic, yet catch balls that are thrown towards them. Through investigation and persistence, he is able to try a new drug on, first, one, then, all of these particular patients. They awaken, many after ten to twenty years of this coma-like state. Leonard Lowe is one of the main characters with whom Dr. Sayer forms a close friendship.

As Leonard awakens into adulthood, he longs to be able to experience the life he has been missing. Unfortunately, around this time, his body begins to become immune to the drug. Dr. Sayer sees the side-affects, but doesn't have a remedy.

One moment that awakens my senses is when Leonard requests that the board give him the right to go out alone for a walk.

Head Doctor: I'm curious. Um...What would you do if you went out?

Leonard: I'd go for a walk and look at things. I'd talk to people. I would decide if I want to go in this direction or that direction or straight ahead. I would do all the things that you people take for granted.

Head Doctor: And that's it?

Leonard: That's it.

When this request is denied, Leonard rushes to the door. As he is dragged away, the camera films from his view focusing on a glass door and warm sunshine slowly moving farther out of sight.

"I would do all the things that you people take for granted."

What do you take for granted? Can you walk? Have you ever enjoyed the feel of walking, the strength of your muscles, the ability to stretch and run and skip? If you are limited here, have you enjoyed the other senses? The smell of crisp fall air; the touch of a hand or the feel of soft fur; the taste of your favourite meal; the sound of music or laughter; the beauty of a landscape, picture, or face?

When was the last time you longed to see someone and realized how great the ache would be if they were not there? It is like waking from a dream to imagine a family member, friend, pet that you love, gone; then to reaffirm your love for that one as if you received them back from the dead.

The freedoms we have to make decisions: instead of dreading grocery shopping, try to imagine countries without grocery stores. Then open your eyes to all the richness before you.

With the Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend and the American next month and with Christmas less than a few months away, the fall is a wonderful time to slow down and become intoxicated with gratitude for all that God has given.

We have so much, don't we? What are you thankful for?