How Can We Possibly Give Thanks in Times like This

Oh Please — We live in the richest, best fed, best housed, best everything country on the planet.  Maybe we could give thanks for that. All this nonsense about the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer is just that: Nonsense.  Take a look at this professor if you don’t believe me. He explains it all in three minutes.

In a nutshell he notes that its like a pizza. Would you rather have 1/6th of a small pizza, or 1/9th of a large pizza. It turns out that the ninth is more than the sixth.  We have a very large pie here, and even though the percentage some people have may be less, what they actually have is more.

I know many don’t want to hear this, but the very large majority of people in the US, in the high 90%, have roofs over their heads and live in houses and apartments that are larger than most anywhere on earth. They all go to bed well fed.  They all have clean water to drink and those that want them have cars.  Sure, you can find people who don’t have all these things, but they are such a small minority that they can be and are helped by government aid, charity, and the like.

Are times hard — sure.  But don’t forget one thing.  96% of college graduates have jobs.  Those complaining simply don’t want to take the jobs offered. Those in the middle that are hurting bought houses they couldn’t afford and then lost them and had to return to renter status. But they still have roofs over their heads. Those that are on unemployment (by the way, they paid in to unemployment insurance) have it for two years. I know finding a job is difficult, but its really difficult if you pass over jobs you don’t like because you don’t really have to take them

This too shall pass.  In spite of our lunatic congress, and I blame both parties, in spite of folks who believe that they are ‘owed’ a retirement that they didn’t pay or save for, that someone else has to pay for (read this as benefits packages that are provided to government workers and some — can you say GM – private sector workers) and in spite of what the DC talking heads say, yes this too shall pass.

Why, because we live in the most resilient, hard working, wise country on the planet.  The pendulum swings and its swinging back. I truly believe that common sense will prevail, although there will be some ‘pain,’ it will mostly be on paper. Some will lose their houses, some will have to rethink their live styles, some will have to become realistic, but most will be able to watch the games on their flat screen TVs, drive their new SUV’s to the river to play, and have a maybe reduced but merry Christmas season.

So lighten up. Give thanks to the good Lord that you live in a place where our biggest health problem is overeating and things seem to work in spite of what we do.

If you thought you were going to be somewhere economically, socially, educationally, or job wise and you aren’t there yet, suck it up. It may take a few more years. Just because we can now communicate at light speed doesn’t mean that everything else works that fast. If you are 50 you might not make it until you are 60. If you are 60, hey, its the new 40. You have plenty of time. I knew a fellow who began studying to be a doctor at 52. Someone said that he wouldn’t be a doctor until he was 60. He commented that if he didn’t start now, what would he be when he was 60.

For just a day or two, take a look around. Look at your family, your friends, your neighbors. Look at all the ‘stuff’ you have, how healthy you are, and all the good things that are to come. All you have to do is go out and get them. And you can, and you will. It just may take a little longer.

Now, dammit, get out there, appreciate what you have, love those around you, and give thanks.

JVH