Thanksgiving 2019 In these United States of America
Some have suggested that instead of Thanksgiving we in the United States should be mourning the genocide of the Native Americans by those who came to this country after them. Some have suggested that we dedicate this day to not only mourn the historic genocide of Native American but also that of African Americans. Other are suggesting that we have a national day of confession for the way these United States have treated adult and child immigrants in recent years; especially the past couple of years. Those directly affected emotionally, spiritually, and economically by the ineffective and mean judicial system that expects negative treatment in prison/punishment to heal people would suggest that we practice what 12 step programs call the HOW (Honesty, open mindedness and willingness) in examining the assumptions underlying this system. Many suggest that we avoid such discussions all together because it may seem as if we cannot trust ourselves, friends, family or colleagues to have a civil and helpful debate.
Today in 2019 many of us continue to enjoy a rich serving of food and many other necessities. Many of us have more than our share and are doing all we can as a nation and individuals to ensure that we continue to have more than our share of resources. Today in 2019 we continue , as have humans and even other animals throughout history, to often feel better about ourselves by doing all we can to be or have more than others in our tribe.
There is certainly a strong argument to be made for suggesting that this day be set aside as a national day of mourning. Yet, as many in the past have demonstrated, there is much goodness in the deeds we humans do even here in the United States. Restaurant owners I know today will close cash registers and open doors to welcome those who need both a meal, a warm respite and a reminder that they are a blessing to be celebrated. People I know are setting up temporary tables, digging out the family china, resurrecting chairs and benches and serving up a feast to the friends, family and those who remain a stranger up to the moment they are not.
Today I personally have pages and pages of people and items for which I am grateful. When I use the term grateful I do so in the context of grace – unearned gifts. As Father Gregory Boyle has often stated, some of us won the lottery in terms of intellectual, mental, economic and physical health. Some of us were gifted the ability to get an education and to have the opportunity to use that education to make a decent living; even to do work for which we have a passion.
I could easily take the reader on a tour of my home and point out the luxuries which impose on me a responsibility . Luxuries provide one with the opportunity and responsavility to leave a footprint commemorate with those luxuries.
So today I will shed tears, laugh, love, eat more than I need, and give thanks. Today I will do my best to practice gratitude which has been baked with love and huge amounts of humility. Today I will celebrate the rich bounty of my life while recommitting myself to use the gifts I have been leant to practice justice – to walk the talk.
Written November 28, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Some have suggested that instead of Thanksgiving we in the United States should be mourning the genocide of the Native Americans by those who came to this country after them. Some have suggested that we dedicate this day to not only mourn the historic genocide of Native American but also that of African Americans. Other are suggesting that we have a national day of confession for the way these United States have treated adult and child immigrants in recent years; especially the past couple of years. Those directly affected emotionally, spiritually, and economically by the ineffective and mean judicial system that expects negative treatment in prison/punishment to heal people would suggest that we practice what 12 step programs call the HOW (Honesty, open mindedness and willingness) in examining the assumptions underlying this system. Many suggest that we avoid such discussions all together because it may seem as if we cannot trust ourselves, friends, family or colleagues to have a civil and helpful debate.
Today in 2019 many of us continue to enjoy a rich serving of food and many other necessities. Many of us have more than our share and are doing all we can as a nation and individuals to ensure that we continue to have more than our share of resources. Today in 2019 we continue , as have humans and even other animals throughout history, to often feel better about ourselves by doing all we can to be or have more than others in our tribe.
There is certainly a strong argument to be made for suggesting that this day be set aside as a national day of mourning. Yet, as many in the past have demonstrated, there is much goodness in the deeds we humans do even here in the United States. Restaurant owners I know today will close cash registers and open doors to welcome those who need both a meal, a warm respite and a reminder that they are a blessing to be celebrated. People I know are setting up temporary tables, digging out the family china, resurrecting chairs and benches and serving up a feast to the friends, family and those who remain a stranger up to the moment they are not.
Today I personally have pages and pages of people and items for which I am grateful. When I use the term grateful I do so in the context of grace – unearned gifts. As Father Gregory Boyle has often stated, some of us won the lottery in terms of intellectual, mental, economic and physical health. Some of us were gifted the ability to get an education and to have the opportunity to use that education to make a decent living; even to do work for which we have a passion.
I could easily take the reader on a tour of my home and point out the luxuries which impose on me a responsibility . Luxuries provide one with the opportunity and responsavility to leave a footprint commemorate with those luxuries.
So today I will shed tears, laugh, love, eat more than I need, and give thanks. Today I will do my best to practice gratitude which has been baked with love and huge amounts of humility. Today I will celebrate the rich bounty of my life while recommitting myself to use the gifts I have been leant to practice justice – to walk the talk.
Written November 28, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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