benedictus

Thanksgiving, and let’s face it – it’s about time I focus on what I have versus what I’m missing in my life. I mean, really. For the past couple of months I’ve been all too focussed on everyone else’s opportunities, successes, coups, adventures and life gifts, and it’s been miserable. Miserable! Not that I want what they have instead of them. That would be covetous, which I’m definitely not. No, I’m giddy as a schoolgirl for each friend who’s being published in an anthology or hired by the Discovery Channel, whisked away to exotic locations or allowed to traipse the world for a year – or just reside for that amount of time in Paris. Not “instead,” “as well,” I say. Hello, what about me?

In a way, it’s like I’ve been looking around for the cake while greedily stuffing my face with pie. “Is there anymore,” I ask in a sticky voice, cheeks bulging with lemon meringue. “I want that, too. And that, and that,” I point gluttonously, fingers coated in double cream. I’m so busy noticing everyone else’s plate that I’m totally neglecting the lavish buffet on my own. And it’s shameful, really shameful.

So enough of that, and onto the blessings in my otherwise rich and textured life. And I’m not talking good health, family and the most beautiful, supportive friends this side of NBC – although I’m pleased to report I have all that, as well.

This year, I am thankful for short, crisp (but not too crisp) autumn days, the rich gold, rust, orange colours of leaves that scatter around me as I jog through Ben Lee Park, a cup of no-whip spiced pumpkin latte with a close friend in the afternoon, e-letters from around the world and a pen and paper (or in this case, a laptop) to record it all on.

I’m thankful I’ve been given the opportunity to pursue a career that allows me the privilege of getting to know some of the most interesting and talented people in the city, to talk about things that would never otherwise come up in conversations.

I’m thankful for a treasure trove of memories that I wouldn’t trade for any material wealth, finance or position.

I’m thankful for the smile I received this morning from a homeless man as we passed in the parking lot across the road from my house. It was the most beautiful smile I’ve felt in a while.

I’m thankful for the music that plays in me all day and all night without ceasing. Whatever I’m doing, wherever I go it’s there, providing a soundtrack to my life. Sometimes it’s upbeat and fun, other times quirky, or angry, or heart wrenchingly sad – but it’s always there, within me.

I’m thankful that I was raised to put my spirituality first, before anything or anyone. Sometimes I forget this, and get distracted with trivial concerns (job status, what I haven’t achieved, etc.) but when it is in the forefront of my life nothing else on earth offers the same degree of comfort or empowerment. And all the blessings I’ve just listed (plus a zillion others that I haven’t) mean so much more when I recognize them for what they are – abundant and unanticipated gifts from God.

Well, that’s my list for this year. I could go on. I won't. At least not here (brevity - that's something you might want to add to your own list!). What else do you have?