I was playing charades with my youngest granddaughters and I had the word “milkshake”. I acted out the milking of a cow by hand which they caught onto right away. Then I starting shaking and giving all kinds of clues. They didn’t get it. Like a contortionist I twisted and trembled, rattled and rolled but the only response was up roaring laughter. Now we were all out of control and no amount of acting brought out the second part of the word.
As I reflected on this hilarious and very special memory, I thought of the word THANKSGIVING. It is easy to get the “thanks” part. For I am thankful for my precious family of amazing grandkids and their ever present and patient parents. I am thankful for the abundance of life – the many friends who carry me through the storm, the neighbors who jump in at a moments notice, the people I work with and those I work for. I am thankful for my community (and every community I have lived in) and I am thankful that I live in a country of opportunity.
The second part of the word caused me to consider this question: Was I giving?
In the past, the assumption was that with the word “thanksgiving” was simply giving thanks. Yet if we consider the core of true gratitude, it brings to light that “giving” may actually be a call to action. To give more of ourselves and our abundance, of our time and our talent. To share the joy we feel so that others may reside in a space of hope.
When asked once to define my purpose in life I responded that it was “to inspire – to bring light, love and joy into every room.” I confess to failure. I got the thanks part but there are often excuses on the giving. Too tired, too busy, too unsure, too lazy. Whatever the reason we create, it reflects that like the “shake” in milkshake, we just can’t grasp the meaning – regardless of the clues.
Take a moment to consider how an act of simple kindness brings joy, how a visit to an elderly person is so very enlightening, how helping a single parent or mentoring an unsure child forever solidifies in them that there is goodness in this world.
In this age of distraction – that of which is being tied to a device – we have created a society of acute isolation and of loneliness – even within our own homes. Servitude and acts of kindness break the chains of living in another person’s digital world and brings us back to our purpose and our blessings. If we start our giving with one thing this year – let it be the gift of of attentiveness. Let us listen, participate and engage with those around us – lending of ourselves in whatever our capacity and in the true spirit of “Thanks – Giving”.
