The Art Of Being Thankful

(A beautiful fall day)

Some years ago I had very serious financial problems. So serious that I had to not just cut back but cut out a lot of things I was accustomed to. I wasn't able to eat in restaurants (except Wendy's, that dollar menu was a life saver), I wasn't able to shop for the clothes I normally wore, I had to move from my apartment which had an amazing view to a tiny apartment with a view of another apartment. You get the picture.

Thankfully I was able to do what many people are not able to, recover.

So as many of us count our blessings, I have a new perspective on the blessings that I count. I see the simplest things as a blessing. In fact I see my ability to live an increasingly simple life as a blessing. I desire small comforts.

I try to be kind. Being kind is a gift and I'm thankful for it. I wasn't always kind. I've never been mean but I had my moments of insensitivity.

I try not to waste food or energy or money. I'm not always successful but I try. I'm thankful that I have food, energy and money not to waste.

I'm thankful for the new perspective that I have. One that did not come easily, but through trauma. When I was 'broke' I began to see poverty all around me. I noticed what I had never noticed before. I saw people I had not seen before, people who had been invisible to me.

My experience taught me the true meaning of fear. I remember on more than a few occasions thinking I was going to end up homeless. It was by the skinniest of margins that I didn't. So now having a roof over my head has new meaning. My home is a constant reminder that I am truly fortunate. There were times when I cried myself to sleep because I didn't even know where my next dollar was going to come from. It's a daunting thing to have to give literally your last cent to pay the rent.

I always feel grateful when I can go into an organic market and buy fresh wholesome food. I remember when fries from Wendy's and a Frosty was dinner.

I am thankful to have my computer and my ipod and my DVDs and books and all the accoutrement that we, if we are fortunate, accumulate in our lives. Because I remember a time when I could almost fit everything I owned into a backpack.

I think most of all I am thankful for the two things that can't be lost through financial crisis. That's knowledge and true friendship. I found out who my friends were and I found out what having knowledge could truly do for me.

So on today, Thanksgiving Day, I understand thankfulness. It's wasn't an easily acquired understanding, but it's one I'm glad to have, I earned it.