So my American friends are today recovering from all that turkey, and many are heading out to the malls to start some serious Christmas shopping. I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve written before about Patti Digh, author of the wonderful and inspiring Life is a verb: 37 days to wake up, be mindful, and live intentionally. Her Thanksgiving post links to another from 2008, which opens with the quote:
“The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.” – John E. Southard
She goes on to encourage readers to think of the people we are grateful for and be sure to thank them.
“Where we place our attention is where things surface. If I am looking for things to complain about, I will find them. If I am looking for things to be grateful for, those will emerge.”
Be grateful. Say so. Get even.
A friend-of-a-friend on Facebook recently commented about our mutual friend’s misfortune with this advice: “We’re learning in our small group to be thankful when things happen that are hard to be thankful for.” I also think that’s good advice — thanks and grace are so closely entwined.
Thanks for commenting, Sue! Patti touches on that point in her post as well.