You don’t need a shrink.
Wait, what? OK… if you already see a therapist, please continue. For others, this is an effort in self-analysis. After all, who doesn’t need that these days. Wars, scandals, inflation, politics, and pressure on every front it seems. We have a theory… not a magic wand… but sound thinking about dealing with troubles here, there, everywhere. It’s called Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving on the Couch
No, I’m not going to start with a platitude pleading for you to be thankful. Rather, we’ll start with the shrink part. Lay back on the couch and answer this query. Who’s more stressed… under more pressure… you or your parents? Your generation or theirs? Or take it further back… your generation or your grandparents? I’m betting your vote… is you. Your generation has the weight of the aforementioned negativity and it’s not even close. Or so it seems.
Thanksgiving Orientation
Let’s say that’s true. From whence came all this stress? Surely finance, fake news, social schmedia don’t help. But they are external instigators. The real source, we suggest, is internal. It is our orientation.
We are by nature oriented to take care of ourselves as well we should. Those who fail to do so generally do not make it in life. But we live in a day when self-care, self-love, self-absorbing focus is off the charts. Marketing feeds it. So do endless screens we stare at for hours a day. Our orientation is inward. It is a me-first, selfie world. Some take it even further… always offended, a victim, deserving of better. Am I talking about you? Of course not. But an undeniable spirit of the day would have us believe we’re not our brother’s keeper. Don’t have time for him anyway.
What’s the Formula?
Now we could list a host of outward-facing good people and causes who give, love, sacrifice. This is self-analysis though, so let’s stay on the shrink couch for a minute. We’re geared to take care of #1 and our culture has taken it too far. What is the remedy? What would make me happier than taking care of me… less stressed and centered? The exact opposite… an external orientation. See the plight and possibilities of those around you… and act.
What’s the Key?
Fine, but what do I need to start?
That’s easy.
Gratitude. Even the secular pros agree. Go beyond that to the sacred. However hard you have it, whatever troubles you most… take stock of health, family, employment, friends, foes, even challenges. Be grateful for all of it *. And remember who sets every table ** in the first place. A grateful spirit will change the day… even your life.
Stuff the Negative
Which brings us back to Thanksgiving. Calculate blessings… exercise gratitude… offer thanks… and we just might find peace… the opposite of today’s chaos ***. Don’t delay… the day will done and gone even before all those leftovers.
Up off the couch now. Let’s have Thanksgiving with some thanks in it. Give gratitude a shot. Stuff the naysayers and any turkey talk to the negative. And Happy Thanksgiving to you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 * James 1:17 ** Philippians 4:6 ***
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