Believe it or not, Thanksgiving Day is already here, and Christmas is just a short four weeks away.
I usually spend the Thanksgiving holiday in the kitchen sipping wine and chatting with loved ones, watching the Cowboys game, and pondering what I’m thankful for.
Every year, for the most part, there’s so much to be thankful for that I feel a tinge of guilt. Should I not be feasting and then loafing around on the couch shouting various expletives and praises (usually, during the same game) at Romo?
As a writer I’ve had the opportunity to interview and spend time with numerous intriguing and inspiring people. I can think of several immediately — Greenhill School student and Vogel Alcove supporter Ariana Luterman comes to mind — who have channeled their sense of gratitude into action that helps the community.
But what about us regular folks that aren’t inclined to run 26 miles in one shot or organize a charity race?
As I stepped off the elevator and left the office last week, I was feeling perplexed about how I ought to express my gratitude this year when I nearly ran into a sweet older gentleman, who happened to look a little befuddled himself.
The man was waving his credit and debit cards in the air and asked me if I could help him figure out how to use the ATM machine. It was a simple act that probably took less than a minute for me to do, but I walked away from the ATM feeling like it was the most important thing I’ve done in awhile.
What’s the best way to express gratitude this Thanksgiving? Volunteering and donating money is a great start. But by simply enjoying what you have and paying attention to the people around you, a chance to express thankfulness in a way that you never imagined may be just around the corner.
