Happy Thanksgiving!

I know. I know. I win the prize for most original blog title today.
I've spent most of the day being lazy--sleeping, eating, a little writing, but basically taking it easy. And it needed it.

And now I start the part of my day where I really celebrate Thanksgiving. A week or two ago, I wrote about an email I had received about not taking Christ out of Christmas. Today I address the people that want to take Thanksgiving out of Thanksgiving. OK, probably no one really does, but I hate calling it Turkey Day. First of all, my family also has a turkey for Christmas and sometimes even for New Year's so calling Thanksgiving Day Turkey Day doesn't really make it a unique and special holiday. And, why do so many of us just eat turkey for the holidays. Turkey is a great low fat protein source that we could be eating year round.

And if I argue that we shouldn't have one day set aside just for Turkeys, perhaps I should remind myself that we shouldn't have just one day set aside for giving thanks either.

So, here are some things that I am thankful for. The list isn't complete, but it does contain things that are important to me at this moment.

I am thankful for music.
I am thankful for technology that allows me to connect with people across the world that share similar goals, values, and desires.
I am thankful for choices.
I am thankful for the chance to start over.
I am thankful for the blessing of seeing the world and all in it as inseparably connected.
I am thankful for people that reach out and share of their abundance.
I am thankful for a home, a bed to sleep in, food to eat. It's easy to compare what I have to what I want and feel deprived, but I have so much more than so many people in the world.
I am thankful that I was taught to love others regardless of whether or not I agree with the choices they make in their lives.
I am thankful for an example of giving without thought of the personal risk or consequences.
I am thankful for family and friends that love me, even when I am not being very lovable.
I am thankful for a job I love and a chance to share something I love with my students.
I am thankful for the beauty of nature, and the opportunity to remember that it doesn't have to be a sun-shiny day with bright flowers to be beautiful.
I am thankful for teachers, both those that teach as a profession, and those that have just been at the right place and the right time to help me learn something important.

Now I'm off to do more celebrating.

Happy Thanksgiving.