A Thought on Thanks

Thanksgiving.

It's easy to spout off a list of the things are you are thankful for. We know what we should be thankful for, even if we take them for granted. We spout these things off in a numb cadence every year right before we overfill our stomachs.

What if instead you think about what you've lost this year. Maybe you've lost a family member, a friend, or a pet. Maybe you've lost your job, health, or good times. Maybe you've lost the love of your life. Maybe you've lost a part of yourself.

Reflecting upon what we've lost might help us to understand gratitude. Gratitude for when these things were ours and for life after loss.

We don't like to think about loss but, it gives us perspective about giving thanks. So maybe this exercise can be something reciprocal. Thinking about loss (not dwelling on it), bears gratitude, which helps us heal and move forward.

Just a thought.