A Time to Be Thankful

A Time to be Thankful

Let me begin by saying that I would like to dedicate this article to my wife. Normally I like to write very intense opinion articles, but given that we are currently in the holiday season, I thought I would deviate from that and write a sentimental article for the Daily News.
During the holiday season, we are often reminded of the blessings and gifts that we have in our lives. Not all these gifts can be purchased in a store or can be ordered over the internet. The gifts that I am speaking of are the gifts of friendship, family, love, and our relationships with one another.

We’ve all heard the line "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All Men", and this is something that we are especially reminded of during the holidays that often we have a tendency to forget outside of the holiday season. We have a tendency to forget this when stuck in traffic or the lady ahead of us in the check-out line is shelling out 237 coupons that will save her a net $3.45. However, each one of us is capable of loving one another and being warm and courteous (even helpful) to complete strangers. Such is the essence of "Southern Hospitality" and is one of the most attractive qualities of the area. Absent the South, you hardly find people who are willing to help another or even openly accept a stranger as a new addition to their family. It happens sometimes, but not as frequently as the South; my travels have taught me this. I am, and always will be, touched by the good natured people of this earth, a majority of whom live in Southern states.

Some of us do not have the luxury of worldly riches. The world likes to measure our worth by the size of our retirement plan, how much we have in our checking account, and how many worldly possessions we have or do not have. I myself am not a rich man by the world’s standards. However, when I think about my friends and family and all they have done for me, I realized that if my wealth is measured by their love and their dedication, there is not a wealthier man than me. There’s just something about spending time with the family that really gives you the wholesome, warm feeling; a feeling that I have long associated with the holidays.
The holidays have been, and always will be, a time of remembrance for those loved ones that have passed, a time to laugh with my family and friends, and a time of thanksgiving for having them in my life. For my family, it is a time for not only reflection of lost loved ones, but a time to laugh and rejoice in their lives and the influence they had on each one of us. The Lawsons are a family of story-tellers and I would have it no other way. The stories that we tell define our family and the experiences that have made us unique and cohesive.

I’d like to pause and speak to those that have lost a loved one recently or will remember that loved one this coming holiday season. The holidays are often the hardest time to deal with the loss of a loved one. I know this from experience. However, their life is a testament to the love they had for you and the love you had for them. I know that every time the Lawsons gather at the dinner table for Thanksgiving and Christmas or we gather around the tree to exchange gifts, these ‘departed’ individuals are amongst us, laughing and rejoicing, smiling and nodding in approval. They live on through us and through our love for one another and the love we still have yet to give the next generation. I also take solace in the idea that when someone has departed, there is always room to welcome another; not to take their place because these people can never be replaced, but because families are meant to grow. Families, much like a tree, are meant to grow and can never be too large.

So this morning, when I was thinking about the holiday (along with my wife, family, and friends) and subsequently decided to write this article, I began to think about the following subjects and their purpose in our lives. I hope that the readers enjoy these thoughts and that somehow, someway, they resonates with you in some form or fashion.

Love. We are called to love each other and love ourselves. Love is essential today, yesterday, tomorrow, and all the days we live. Love is one of the most fundamental purposes we are here. Love without reservation and recklessly. The love you give can make someone’s day or even turn it around. Love how you see fit, but love nonetheless.

Faithfulness. Your faith to others is important. It builds trust into the relationships that rely on love as a foundation. A lack of faith erodes love. Put full faith in others and ask them to put full faith in you. If you have broken someone’s faith in you, resolve to them and yourself to correct this wrong. Faith and love are inseparable, so treat them both equally.

Charity. Give! Giving money to the Salvation Army bell-ringer is a noble action, but do not just give money in lieu of your time. The best charitable giving is doing something for others in person. This does not mean give up all charitable giving or that you should absolutely go volunteer for some cause, but give of yourself to others in need. Bring charity home to your neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Help out when needed or when you feel called to do so. The giving of oneself and one’s time is one of the best ways to show you care. One drip in the pool of humanity through a charitable contribution will set off a ripple effect for all.

Kindness. This can be the hardest one for some of us. Be kind to others. Be kind to agitator that pushes you. You never know the kind of day that he has had. Show kindness to others to show them love. Show kindness to others and restore some faith in humanity. Show kindness through charity. I am not condoning being a doormat for others, but one can be kind and care for their own self-interests at the same time.

Generosity. Be generous! This is different than charity in that charity is the giving of something whereas generosity is the habit of giving. Making a habit of giving of yourself to others will open them up to giving back to you and to others; it presents the perfect ‘pay it forward’ scenario. Just as when one drop of charity creates a ripple effect, generosity will wake the waters and everyone will feel the stirring.

Friendship. Enjoy your friends and make as many as you can. Friends are the brothers and sisters that you select. Good friends are the ones that are there through the good times and bad and help you laugh through it all. For me, friends are an extension of family and family can never be too big.

Kinship. Brothers and sisters are friends chosen for us. Mothers and Fathers provide us with much needed guidance and provide examples of how we are to model our behavior. Family provides us with the support, love, and encouragement that we need to develop and chase down our dreams.

Gratitude. Be thankful for what you have because things could always be worse. If things are as bad as they can get, then be grateful that things can only improve and make the changes necessary to improve your life. Be grateful for friends, family, your life, and more. My father always said, ‘Count your blessings...’ and when I do, I realize that I am very blessed. Show gratitude to others for their love, charity, and devotion.

Above all else, enjoy the upcoming holidays with your friends and family. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.