Thanksgiving 2019 and the need for humility.

For many of us, our Thanksgiving will be consumed by huge amounts of food and drink - much of which in this nation will be wasted, but still consumed to a point of misery and danger to our health. That along with sleepy-eyed consumption of gladiator-style entertainment afterwards. Thanksgiving for many in America entails a large dose of gluttony and consumerism, along with rage and fear should politics be mentioned at our table.

Either alone or with others, there certainly are other ways to spend this day. Today, let us think of those less fortunate and make our commitments to helping them and to show gratitude for the basics of life this earth provides to us. Unfortunately for millions of Americans, misery and suffering are on today's menu.

In our own way, I feel it's healthy to humble ourselves every so often and perform a gratitude list, either by writing it down or saying it in a meditation or prayer. For me, it is very refreshing and a stress-reliever to write down things most precious and sustaining in my life. I wonder how many of us truly do that on Thanksgiving rather than worry about the trials of Black Friday.

I lost both my wife of 54 years and my very best friend outside of family this year. Having depression, it's easiest to slip into self pity and isolation but I have a lot to reflect on with regard to the things they both brought into my life (including two great children and a beautiful granddaughter) and in some ways saved my life. Along with sanity and sobriety, basic food and shelter and not yet having extreme health problems, I have quite a list to compile.

A few I've known in this mid-size city do a ritual of helping to serve food in a homeless shelter or recovery center as a way of expressing humility. Any anonymous act of kindness is good for our soul, but that applies to any day. I enjoy carrying a needy friend to the grocery store and paying the bill. We can all find a means of charity and winter amplifies the need for food, shelter and clothing. Over the years, I've collected enough clothes for a small army and I've overdue for a trip with boxes full for one of our shelters.

Thanksgiving day should be a day of quiet reflection and humility, either visiting or calling and thanking those who have helped us throughout the year and committing to be a better, more humble and more sharing member of the human race. Big hugs are in order all day long!

Thanks go out from here to all DU members who have been here every day to help relieve the stress of modern life - with solid facts and thoughtful opinion along with large doses of humor and progressive brotherly love.

KY.............. ...........