11.27.08

Thanks giving on Thanksgiving

Posted in Career, Family & Friends, Life, London at 10.24 pm by Caitlin

No turkey and pumpkin pie on this side of the Pond, but I’ll take the opportunity to give thanks all the same

Happy Thanksgiving to any American readers. And happy belated Thanksgiving for my Canadian friends (who celebrated it a month ago).

Being Australian and living in Britain, Thanksgiving does not form part of my cultural heritage. Halloween has crept in (and actually has its origins in Europe anyway) but Thanksgiving is out and out a North American phenomenon.

Despite some debate over whether celebrating Thanksgiving is respectful of the native American population, and despite the fact that I don’t literally believe in a God to give thanks to, I do like the idea of Thanksgiving.

I think we could all do with a little more gratitude in our lives – after all, it’s said to be the secret of happiness. So much unhappiness in the world is caused by people wanting more than they already have – not only does this breed discontentment, but also their greed can be enormously destructive the other people and the world.

I don’t want to preach – I’m no angel, after all. But I thought I would take this moment to share with you some of the things I’m grateful for, at this very moment in time.

• The love of my very wonderful partner and the fact that we are committing to spending the rest of our lives together.

• My wonderful family and the fact that I see them once or twice a year and can speak regularly on the phone relatively cheaply, despite living half a world away – something that would have been unthinkable in times past.

• My friends, both at home in Australia, here in the UK, and around the world. I feel very connected and never lonely.

• My warm leather gloves. Also my coat, hat, scarf and knee-high boots. Not to mention my warm bed.

• The fact that I still have work despite the recession – from both old clients and a few new ones.

• The fact that I’ve been able to travel and see so much of this beautiful planet, from the Arctic to Africa.

• The pick-me-up from a good cup of coffee in the morning.

• The opportunity to spend a few years living in such a big, exciting city as London.

• My Australian passport and knowing that I can always go back home.

• Having enough food to eat. Having good food to eat. My health.

• Playing Miranda in The Tempest next Tuesday and the fun and creative fulfillment that comes from that.

• My lovely writer’s circle and the great feedback I get on my attempts at fiction.

Once I start, it’s hard to stop – I keep thinking of more and more things. Maybe there’s something in this gratitude thing! I’ll sign off now.

See: 25 Gentle Reminders to Cultivate Your Gratitude Attitude on EcoSalon.

Permalink