Thankful

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. It is a time to be aware and give thanks for all you have and for those with whom you are able to share your reality. Sadly, the masses have now become accustomed to it being a time to start bargain shopping for Christmas. A holiday which should be a very beautiful moment to spend with family of birth and choosing and friends both old and new has been turned into a footnote for another holiday whose true spirit has been forgotten. I hate the mass marketing of manufactured happiness. I hate that Thanksgiving (even Christmas for that matter) started showing up before Halloween even arrived. I hate that the simple idea of giving thanks has been turned int Grey Thursday.

There is plenty of time for each holiday on the calendar. Traditionally Black Friday was the start of Christmas frenzy in America. With the onset of the internet and more businesses trying to get your butts in the stores no longer is Friday the best day to start. Currently the employees of various places will be striking to show their disgust at poor working conditions which include working on Thanksgiving. Several other places now have extended hours on Thanksgiving instead  of being able to spend time with family. Last year a woman pepper sprayed a crowd in order to get the last item of the big deal sale. People have been stealing, maiming and out right intentionally injuring others in order to be the first in line or with the last item of the sale. America is so obsessed with "stuff" that we have lost sight of the reality of life.

What happened to being thankful? What happened to family dinners? What happened to helping those in need? What happened to spending time with those you love? What happened to common decency? What happened to morals and values? What happened to being thankful for what you have and appreciative of what you get? What happened to feeling good at a job well done? What happened to hard work being it's own reward? What happened? I mean really, what happened?

I am thankful that I have enough common sense to know better. I am thankful for all the wonderfully amazing individuals in my life who have helped in bad times and good. I am thankful to be employed. I am thankful for family far and near. I am thankful for budding romance. I am thankful for a roof over my head, clothes to wear and food to eat. I am thankful for my simple life which I know is more extravagant than those suffering elsewhere in the world but not as fancy as those who need too much and spend unnecessarily here. I am thankful for a mind that still works, limbs which may creek but still keep me on my feet and eye sight that isn't weak. I am thankful. I hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving.