By: Liz Queen
Dear Liz Queen:
You probably get messages like this every year this time. It’s Thanksgiving week but my heart is so heavy.
Here’s my answer, with understanding and compassion:
Try to love your existence enough to be GRATEFUL for even what you’re not THANKFUL about.
I’m not thankful about those extra pounds that take so much longer to get rid of now. But I’m grateful for the daily sustenance that put this weight on my body. And I’m grateful I can move my limbs so I can add exercise to a more healthy nutrition plan.
You may not be thankful about the excruciating pain that came from ending toxic relationships, but be grateful the excruciatingly toxic relationships finally, FINALLY ended.
It’s hard to be thankful about a workplace that consistently doesn’t value its people, but be grateful you’re one of the people who has a workplace for now. And be grateful for your gifts and skills that will lead you to the environment where you belong.
You can’t be thankful about circumstances you feel ripped your world apart, but be grateful that what’s ripped apart can be delicately, thoughtfully mended.
If you can’t be thankful about your interactions with all of your family and friends, be grateful for those friends who love you like family, and family members who are close to you like friends.
It’s tough to be thankful about a financial situation that’s just not working, but be grateful in knowing you’ll work it out…again…
When you’re not thankful about your health diagnosis, it makes you even more grateful for your belief system that transcends the physical.
I’m truly not thankful about everything that’s landed on my “to do” list right now. But I’m grateful for the anticipation of how good it will feel when I finally get a priority taken care of.
How can I be thankful about everything I’m hoping for when I haven’t seen my hopes come true? Because I’m grateful for the spirit inside me that annoyingly insists on keeping me hopeful.
I’m not thankful when I feel the angst of souls like you who share with me, but I’m grateful that the fact you shared means you know I’m concerned about your concerns, too.
I’m not thankful for the circumstances that brought us to this same space, but I’m so grateful we’ve had this time to join together. That’s with Foot on the Rock means to me…today…let’s
KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE ROCK.