Giving Thanks: Half Empty, Half Full or What?

Cute turkey, photo by me!

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul." – Rabbi Harold Kushner

A friend told me a tale last week. He shared a story of a time he was involved in a group of people who were debating the philosophies behind that age-old question: “Is the glass half empty or is the glass half full?”

They were debating the question to learn how people’s brains process things differently.

Now, I like to consider myself as a “glass half full” type of person, by what my friend’s response was to that conversation from their story was this: “Hey, I’m just happy I have a glass!”

This year has been full of ups and downs for me. I’ve been faced with challenges, the likes of which I’d never imagined having to face. I used to think that when a person reached a certain age, they were done growing up. It would seem life wanted to prove me otherwise this past year.

Yet, as we’re in the season of thanksgiving, I find myself giving thanks for the most elementary of things.

I’m spending the holiday at my parent’s house in the country and my youngest brother, 13, keeps coming in to distract me while I’m writing this post, but are each giggling when he leaves. I’m grateful that one of my sisters is enjoying her life as a newlywed, having found a man she can grow old with. While growing up my youngest sister and I were distant, but now I’m thankful to realize that we’ve grown closer. And then there’s my other little brother; while his seventeen-year-old self and I may not always see eye-to-eye, when I really need a strong shoulder, he is the one I look to.

Of course, I’m thankful for my parents too – for their decision to homeschool me and for giving me the best life they knew how, filled with wonder and discovery. I’m thankful for my extended family – grandparents, aunts and uncles who have supported me. For numerous cousins I can share inside jokes with.

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." – Albert Schweitzer

And friends. I’m also thankful for friends – new and old – for those I’ve only ever met in the virtual world and for those who’ve known me since before I could walk. I’m thankful for my fellow writers who know what it’s like to be going through the trenches, and I’m thankful for fellow readers who make the battle worth the effort.

And you, dear reader of this blog. I am blessed because you took the time to visit today, for when you’ve commented and encouraged. I just want to say…thank you.

"Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life." – A. J. Cronin

So, do you see the glass as half empty, half full, or are you just grateful for a cup?  

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And if you care for a little Bible code, look up Ephesians 1:16 J