Let's remind ourselves

United States
December 17, 2008 8:32am CST
The holidays are upon us, but there is so much gloom in the world. People losing their jobs or being demoted and can't afford the Christmas they'd like for themselves, their family, and their friends. People are losing their homes, their cars, everything. Not to mention people are still dying, still getting sick, still having to say goodbye to their moms, dads, children, spouses. Then there are some (myself included) who complain about things that seem so petty and meaningless compaired to the troubles of others. I suppose we all do to an extenet. We forget that there are those out there less fortunate than ourselves. Even in our darkest hour, we must remember it can still be worse, and there is someone out there who does have it worse. I know that those of us in the USA have recently already given thanks and counted our blessings due to the Thanksgiving holiday we had less than a month ago. But let's do it again anyways. Let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the blessings we have. Although my 3 middle children are currently running wild through the house, playing and yelling (2 hour school delay) I'm thankful they're able to do this. I'm thankful all of my kids are healthy and happy, well behaved and good students. I'm thankful they have a bright and hopeful future. My husband who's currently snoring away upstairs because I let him sleep in on his day off, I'm thankful he's healthy and capable of working, and does work 12 hour shifts most days to provide for our family. I'm thankful he has this job, and if he didn't he'd be capable of finding another. I'm thankful for the roof over my head, for the food in my cupboards and the food I'll be placing on my table this evening. I'm thankful for my friends, including those of you here on Mylot. I'm thankful I have someone to talk to, someone I can share with, and thankful that the majority of you are nice enough not to judge me. I've made a few good friends here on Mylot, and you few are the ones who keep me here. Mylot isn't always a friendly place, but my true friends on here make it all worth while. There are many more things I'm thankful for as well... but those are the main things at the moment. What are you thankful for this holiday season?
5 people like this
8 responses
ladynetz
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
17 Dec 08
You're right-people think only about what's wrong in their life, They don't even decorate their house for holidays... We have to remember that we still have lots of good things going around us - I'm grateful for my family's and my health, being together, having where to sleep and what to eat. Money comes, money goes, we take with us the happy moments and cherish them. That should give us the true happiness. Thank you for reminding us .
2 people like this
ricknkae
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
17 Dec 08
I loved your post, very well put together and so true It hurts me to see all those commercials about those"great" things I should already have bought for Christmas ... and we won't And your post is uplifting .. I am thankful for our little 2 year old wonder, that we have a roof over our heads and food on the table ... warm and protected from the elements Thankful too that eventhough we will be having a frugal Christmas we are blessed with a loving family May you and yours be blessed in this Christmas Season and thank you for such a great thread :))
1 person likes this
ricknkae
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
20 Dec 08
Very true I think the economy is so bad that merchants are trying any kind of perch to get customers because it hurts them too
ricknkae
@ricknkae (1721)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Aww ty so much for the best response :) I am touched and I hope you have a great new year
katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Dec 08
I completely agree. Although my Christmas isn't extremely frugal, I don't go out and buy the latest video games or any of that nonsense for my kids. They rarely get the latest and greatest toys, mostly all their stuff is under $20, and if it's not, then it's used. I can be rather frugal, and I see nothing wrong with that. Know what I find very funny. There is this commercial for a high priced furniture store, and they're talking about being frugal by shopping at this store. How ridiculous is that? Being frugal would be buying 2nd hand or clearance furniture, or dealing with what you have, not buying top named, high prices leather sofa's. Crazy!
1 person likes this
di1159
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
18 Dec 08
Thank you for such a nice post. It's so true that we get caught up in the daily grind and stress of life and that we grumble and complain (most of the time). We are so fortunate to be able to do so. I'm grateful for the same things you are. I'm grateful that I have a roof over my head (for at least another month), for food in the cabinets, great kids, husband and 3 beautiful puppies. I'm always tired from constantly working to keep things going, but its a good kind of tired. I'm really thankful for being this tired. Enjoy the season.
katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Dec 08
Those who are unemployed at this time would love to be able to say they've put in a hard day's work. They'd love to feel that exhaustion that comes from working all day to support your family. Too many of us complain about our jobs, or the stress it puts on us, but we must consider ourselves fortunate for having that job! Thanks for your response, and keep up the great work!
thebeaddoodler
@thebeaddoodler (4262)
• Lubbock, Texas
17 Dec 08
The thing I'm most thankful for are my 5 wonderful, grown children, my 12 grandchildren (most of them grown also) and my 9 great grand children. They are all relatively healthy, law abiding, productive citizens, and for reasons beyond my understanding they all love me as much as I love them. I'm thankful that even though I had to retire 3 years earlier than I intended to and had debt that was really hard to handle on retirement income that I'm doing OK financially. I'm thankful for the roof over my head even if it is a 36 year old mobile home. My blessings are too numerous to count and when I get down in the dumps and feel like the world is collapsing in on me, I have to sit and make myself count all the things that I have that so many are doing without.
1 person likes this
kerriannc
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
17 Dec 08
In the bible the book of Psalms to be more specific David encourage us that in all things we should give thanks. Be Thankful every day not only on specific holidays. What grieve me the most is that during Christmas everyone is giving and during the 11 months when person are seeking assistance no one are willing to give. Instead just of giving thanks for what you listed because of the holiday I implored you that every day when you wake up Give Thanks and you will see the abundance of blessing that will bestow upon you by God.
1 person likes this
Barb42
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
17 Dec 08
You are so right, Kats. We have lots to be thankful for even if we don't have much. At least we have our health, a roof over our heads and food to eat. Some people in Israel (the refugees) are rummaging in the garbage to find food to feed their families because they can't get a job. That is sad! We might not have as much as we once did, but at least we are able to eat when we get hungry from food in our cupboards or refrigerators. We are able to go to the doctor if we get sick. I'm thankful that all my family is fairly healthy and nothing but minor things have hit them. I'm thankful we have a home to live in that is paid for and that my kids still are able to pay their house payments. My husband has a job, but he hasn't worked in a week because of the rain, but I'm thankful we still are able to live without starving and able to pay bills so far. I'm thankful that I do have a family who cares for one another. So many families have drifted apart and don't even have a thing to do with one another during the holidays. And I'm thankful that we can still pay for Internet service; otherwise, I would not be on mylot and wouldn't have met you and other friends.
1 person likes this
katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
17 Dec 08
There's so much heart ache in the world we forget about. I forget about the refugees, both in Israel and in Africa... there is still a horrible war in Africa that isn't getting enough help to solve, or even recognition. People around the world are scared for their lives, and we sit here worried about if our kids will enjoy their Christmas presents, or if our neighbors will mind if we don't get them something. It's a horrible world we live in. We should all just be happy that there's nobody out there trying to kill us because of the color of our skin or a tribe we were born into or our religious beliefs.
2 people like this
Rocketj1
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
17 Dec 08
Beautifully said!I'm so thankful for the fact the God gets me up each day. He makes my heart beat and my blood flow and that he gives me something to do everyday. I'm thankful that He loves me so much that He came to earth in the form of the weakest among us: A BABY. That he chose to live in the world in which we do to show us that He understands and that He wants to relate to us in such a way. I'm thankful that He loved me enough to take all the rotten things of this world to the cross with Him so that He could pay the price that I rightly should be paying. That he not only says "I forgive you" but that He says "You are now righteous". Oh!...I do not deserve that! I'm thankful that He rose from the grave giving me the hope of heaven someday! I'm thankful for the country that let's me worship without fear of persecution. I'm thankful for my family, my health, a roof over my head and food on the table. And especially for the love that is shared in our home! Thank you katsmeow for this discussion! I really appreciate you! I think about you raising your children and taking care of your home and husband and I really relate to what you are doing. It is reassuring to know that others are out there just doing the best they can as women for their families! God bless you and your home!
katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
17 Dec 08
All wonderful things to be thankful for, and that really gets to the root of it. So long as we have our faith, then we are rich. Material possessions mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for your response and your kindness. Bless you and yours as well my friend!
1 person likes this
Nhey16
@Nhey16 (2518)
• Philippines
20 Dec 08
hello katsmeow1213, you are right, we have a lot of things to thank for even we go through a lot of troubles... I'm thankful for my family who's always there supporting me whenever I feel down, My kids who give me strength and keeps me alive, my husband, who at times we have arguments, he still support me. I'm grateful that we were able to keep our marriage despite all the troubles we've had. Our health, our friends... and a lot more... there are still so many things to be grateful for.