Thank Goodness It's Monday #383

 

THE ART OF THANKSGIVING

No, not kid pictures on refrigerators.

·         No Puritan forebears in stiff white collars, shiny buckled shoes and funny hats dining with clad-in-deerskin Native Americans with feathers in their hair.

·         Not the Mayflower and Plymouth Rock.

·         Not stalks of corn and pumpkins. 



· Not even silly turkey cards.

Sure, some of those images have a powerful place in our culture. And while the “art” factor may be questionable and the evolved version of history is not particularly accurate, they are symbolic of the abiding sprit of the seasonal celebration.

But “The Art of Thanksgiving” for TGIM purposes is linked to an idea put forward by Wilfred Arlan Peterson (1900–1995).  And it too is about the – 

Spirit of the season. Peterson found his life’s calling when his inspirational essays began to appear in This Week magazine. His most well-known piece, The Art of Marriage, has been called the one of the "most frequently recited English-language wedding poems and one of the greatest odes to matrimony.”

But marriage is not our focus today. Looking forward to the upcoming Harvest Home/Thanksgiving celebration, I’d like us to consider Peterson’s suggestion that -- 

The Art of Thanksgiving

is

The Art of “ThanksLiving”

Expanding on the idea of “ThanksLiving,” Peterson suggests it is –

GRATITUDE IN ACTION: It is applying Nobel Peace Prize winner Albert Schweitzer’s philosophy: “In gratitude for your own good fortune you must render in return some sacrifice of your life for another life.”

The Art of ThanksLiving then is --

►Being thankful and showing your gratitude for the gift of life

… by living it triumphantly.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for your talents and abilities

… by accepting them as obligations to be invested for the common good.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for all that others have done for you

… by doing things for others.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for opportunities

… by accepting them as a challenge to achievement.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for happiness

… by striving to make others happy.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for beauty

… by helping to make the world more beautiful.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for inspiration

… by trying to be an inspiration to others.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for health and strength

… by the care and reverence you show your body.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for the creative ideas that enrich life

… by adding your own creative contributions to human progress.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude for each new day

… by living it to the fullest.

► Being thankful and showing your gratitude

… by giving voice to your thankful spirit.

► Adding to your annual celebration of Thanksgiving

… an all-year-round commitment to these Acts of ThanksLiving.

Pollyanna nonsense and greeting card sentimentality? I see your point.

But –

This year, particularly in our storm-wearied part of the Northeast, the exuberant parts of a Thanksgiving celebration may be dampened for many who remain hard-pressed. And while even a large number of these folks will manage to take heart and give thanks that greater troubles and cares did not bear upon us, the burden still weighs heavily.

But Acts of ThanksLiving still surround us. Despite a reputation as a state bursting with “What exit?” Jersey Attitude, abutting a city where “Up yours!” has been deemed a friendly greeting, everyone -- virtually EVERYONE – can recall a recent tale of outreach, compassion, or support in the wake of SuperStorm Sandy’s devastation.

Those are splendid examples of

Acts of – as well as –

The Art of ThanksLiving

TGIM Takeaway: I’m thankful for these – and much, much more in my life. And I trust, no matter how difficult current circumstances seem, you too will find and share some of the Thanksgiving/ThanksLiving spirit in the days and weeks and years ahead. 

Finally, as always at this time of year: I certainly don't imagine most of you will busy yourself with too much head-down, nose-in-digital gear behavior on Thursday. (Please be present with those who are near and dear; don't neglect "the human touch.") So I want to take this TGIM opportunity to –

Thank YOU, one and all: For your generous acceptance of these TGIM blog post messages. Thanks for sharing the ones you like with folks you think will enjoy them or benefit from them. I’m pleased to make their acquaintance.

And thanks for your feedback, both critical and favorable. 

I appreciate your views and the effort you make to convey them. I learn from what you have to say and hope that TGIM can continue to be a conduit for sharing that wisdom and understanding.

I hope this message finds you far from want ... that life is always plentiful for you ... and that once again on Thanksgiving Day you will use the occasion to resolve to be thankful every day of the year. 

Geoff Steck   
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373
tgimguy@gmail.com

P. S. "Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." A contemporary of William A. Peterson, inspirational speaker and writer W.T. Purkiser (1910-1992), said that.