Think about it, Thanksgiving is probably the best holiday on the calendar. There’s no pressure to buy gifts, families and friends get together for food and fun, and it’s a great way to end the harvest season and enjoy the autumn just before the chaos of the Christmas holidays. I mean, it’s a “just show up and enjoy” mentality. So there’s a lot to be glad about and thankful for each and every Thanksgiving. Here’s my top ten—and then some:
- If you’re employed, be thankful.
- If you’re unemployed, be thankful that those still working are doing your old job as well as their own and they’re positively exhausted.
- If you enjoy good health, that’s great cuz then you can do anything.
- If your health is not so good, sit back and let everyone else do everything for you.
- If you’re in love, revel in the bonding, comfort, and warmth of it.
- If you’re single, revel in your freedom and variety of choices; and revel in knowing you’re not paired with a psychopath.
- If you’re happy with your life, be thankful that you’re more fortunate than others.
- If you’re unhappy, be thankful it’s not worse than it could be; and not jealous of those who are happy.
- If you’re rich, be thankful for all you’ve been blessed with (and give some away while you’re at it).
- If you’re poor, be thankful you don’t have to worry about everyone taking advantage of your wealth, ripping you off every chance they get, and resenting you for having it.
Five More Good Reason to Be Thankful: The Five Freedoms
Freedom of Speech
- Be thankful we can say just about anything we want in this county; cuss, blaspheme, rank on politicians, diss celebrities, knock minorities, obese, gays, Muslims, religious fundamentalists, conservatives/Republicans, the Taliban, ad infinitum … then sit back smugly while doing it.
- Be thankful if you don’t say anything; you are far the wiser for it.
Freedom of Press
- Be thankful we have a system that allows us to write just about anything we want with little or no censorship.
- Be thankful that those journalists who ply their useless propaganda will henceforth be taken with a shakerful of salt.
Freedom of Petition
- What the hell does this mean anyway? Probably our right to legally beg.
- Be grateful for it cuz it must mean something.
Freedom of Religion
- Be thankful for the right to worship. Love for God, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the Wicked Witch of the North, the Tooth Fairy, or whomever ... is a breathtakingly beautiful freedom; more people should try it.
- Be thankful we have the right to choose how you want to believe with few repercussions from all the other gods and goddesses of the air and sea via Bullfinch’s Mythology.
Freedom of Assembly
- Be thankful for this. Look carefully: this is your freedom to party.
- Be thankful we can—in the immortal words of John Lennon—“come together” for rock concerts, presidential inaugurations, blessings in Vatican Square, and queuing-up for the madness of Black Friday.
So there’s a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day. Go for it—with gusto and with gratitude.
