At Thanksgiving, many of us think about what’s good in our lives and what we should be grateful for. In our hurry-up world, we’re not always very good about stopping to smell the roses – or even about being thankful that we have roses at all.
In my e-mail this morning, I received a list of things to be thankful for, originally published in Ann Landers’ column years ago. Some of these are very obvious; some take a little more thought. Here’s a sampling:
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Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.
Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.
Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you are employed.
Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.
Be thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.
Do you suppose this is what the Pilgrims had in mind?
Their first Thanksgiving arose out of adversity. There was an agreement that all crops, fish and trade goods would remain in the common stock, from which all colonists were to take their food and goods. The economic system was pure communism.
The colonists starved. Sharing everything was found to breed much confusion and discontent.
Something had to change, so each family was assigned a parcel of land to cultivate, and each could keep whatever it could grow. The already hard-working Pilgrims planted more corn than they would have had under the old system, and reaped an abundant harvest.
To celebrate their blessings, the Pilgrims set apart a day of thanksgiving.
Did the Pilgrims understand that they were setting the stage for our economic system? That an abundant harvest will come when people are free to keep the fruits of their labor?
I’m not sure that was their original intent, but as an entrepreneur and business owner, I am thankful that the Pilgrims figured it out, and understood the importance of showing their gratitude.
That got me to thinking about what I should be considering my most important blessings. Interestingly, some of these started out more as curses, but became assets in the end. For example, I am thankful for:
My family, who has stuck with me from the early days, when I was on the verge of bankruptcy, and watched my dreams come true.
My employees, who have been loyal to me for so many years, even when they could have jumped ship for more money, a lighter workload or an easier boss.
The technology that makes our business run so smoothly – and the techies behind it – because it makes our lives so much easier and more efficient.
The setbacks we have suffered, because they have paved the way for comebacks.
Our competitors, because they’ve made us improve our business and made us a better company.
Our customers, not just for the obvious reasons of making money, but for their constant feedback and input, and the lessons we have learned from them. In fact, for that, we have sent our customers Thanksgiving cards.
The volunteers with whom I’ve worked on countless community projects, because for no real personal gain, they give of themselves to make their little corner of the world a better place for all.
The people who have come to me for advice, because it means I have learned things along the way that could help others in their careers.
As a speaker and an author, I am thankful for my audiences and readers who flood me with great ideas, stories and inspiration. I’ve used hundreds of them over the years. You’ve also given me a wonderful second career, which I have enjoyed immensely.
I’m even thankful for a lousy round of golf, because it’s still a chance to be outside on a beautiful day, enjoying the company of good friends or business associates.
Do you see how easy it is to find the good things in your life? Think about these things as you enjoy your Thanksgiving feast, and I guarantee your life will take a turn for the better.
Mackay’s Moral: If we pause to think, we’ll have cause to thank.
Harvey Mackay is author of the New York Times bestseller “Pushing the Envelope.” He can be reached through his Web site, www.mackay.com, or at Mackay Envelope Corp., 2100 Elm St., Minneapolis, MN 55414.
