Thanksgiving
This week with Thanksgiving triggered me to think a little deeper than I normally do every year in terms of my being thankful for many things. I consider Thanksgiving as an important day in our American lives and for me it’s perhaps the most special of all holidays as I am completely in synch with the concept of being thankful for something or everything always!
When I was in my teens, I was taking a public speaking class outside of regular school and this was a huge thing for my parents for me and my brother to do early on. I credit both of them for this early training I went through that has born fruit in terms of my career in so many ways. As part of that class, I was given an assignment to write and speak on with the topic being : Count Your Blessings. As a family, it wasn’t the best of times for us with my Dad’s illness looming over everything. I struggled to come up with content as I struggled with the thought of counting my blessings or really being thankful for anything. I will never forget that first experience of bonding with my Dad as he helped me conceptualize the speech, come up with specific things to be thankful for and most importantly, no matter how tough things may seem to always count my blessings. And this was from a man who was withering away with his illness with no cure to come. My Dad passed away shortly after. That lesson has though stuck with me ever since.
As we all have experienced change, transition, loss and challenges this year in particular, it may sometimes feel hollow to be thankful in general. People ask me what keeps me cheerful, optimistic and forward thinking in this pandemic and I have come up with one response all year: My Faith and Belief in America as a concept so unique, so precious and so mighty. My Dad believed in this concept as a young man who moved to America to attend the Wharton Business School in the late 1950s. He loved America for what it was, what it stood for and what it would always be. In his last days which is over 36 years ago today, I still remember him watching the 1984 LA Olympics on TV from his bed with such pride, such joy and such wonder. I will never forget that twinkle in his eye, despite him being extremely unwell.
Since those teenager days, I have carried my Dad’s mantle and grown into the same mantle as a man to naturally believe in America as something higher, nobler and again mighty that is above the day to day endless chatter, challenges and mire that seems so overwhelming for many.
This pandemic will come to pass soon. Political changes will come to pass soon. For those of us that are feeling disappointed and lost, things will naturally continue to evolve and we must keep our charge to fight for what we believe in. For those who are elated and celebrating, things will naturally continue to evolve as well and like all things. it’s good to remember that nothing lasts forever.
I am excited as always about Thanksgiving and I am thankful to you, America for all that you are and will always be.
Be Mindful & Be Thankful.