Thanksgiving

I am, typically, an optimistic person. I prefer to think the best of people and to expect the best things to happen. I know those who would rather think the opposite way but I can't see myself spending all my time expecting the worst and being constantly surprised when it doesn't happen. Don't get me wrong - I like surprises. I just would rather spend my time with my face turned toward the sun and being disappointed from time to time.

You might be saying," '...disappointed from time to time'? Where do you live, girl? Disappointment is around every corner."

To them I would say, ' you're right, it is.' But - it's all in how you view disappointment.

Life is meant to rub the edges off us and smooth out the corners. That doesn't happen without disappointments, trials and troubles. I look forward to what I will learn every day because I know there'll be something. Sometimes the things I learn about myself, others and the world are not pleasant things to find out but it is all there to help in my earthly experience so I've learned to embrace it.

I try to take that attitude into prayer, too. I thank the Lord for all the people there are, ever were or ever will be - both good and not so good. They all help me learn. From the good I learn how to reach higher, last longer and shine brighter. From the not so good I learn how to avoid trouble, the consequences of poor choices and how long it takes to recover from mistakes.

I am thankful for every day whether it holds birth or death, sickness or health, poverty or riches. What a magnificent world this is! Beauty is all around. Even on cloudy, wind swept, rain drenching days I know the sun is shining somewhere and I just have to close my eyes to see it. I know that God can bring beauty from ugliness, strength from insult and injury, and a full amazing life from a pile of ashes.

I'm thankful for you. It doesn't matter whether we disagree with each other, see eye to eye, or are somewhere in between - I love you. You enrich my life just because you exist and I hope I do the same for you.

Take care until next time.