We have Thanksgiving just around the corner. Are you thankful for all you've accomplished this past year? How about your harvest? Even in a city - you don't have a garden or crops--what about your job of work and income derived from that job? Are you living a life of plenty? What about good health, friends, family? I think just about everybody has something to be thanful for. Why not share what you have with others less fortunate? They may have more money than you but we're not talking about money totally. If they are loaded with cash they are most certainly lacking in something else. Find out what it is and try to fill that gap. For those who are really poor, why not help out some? You'll not miss a little but they'll appreciate it a bunch. Talk to a preacher/priest in your location and find out about the needy familys in your area. Buy some groceries for those people and let the churche/churches distribute the goods. If you want to do it instead-then--get the groceries and start deliverin to those needy families! After all, when you die you're not gonna take any material things with you--! "Well done my good and faithful servent. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I'll make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), October 26, 2000

Answers

Hear! Hear! I am definitely a believer in the idea of karma - what comes around, goes around. I can't claim to be any less selfish than the next person, but I do try to live by the following rules:

1. always trust a stranger 2. let someone cut in front of you in traffic 3. share the bounty of your garden 4. pet dogs you meet while out walking 5. hold the door for others

Each day I try to find some new thing like the ones listed above and add it to my repertoire. I live in a pretty 'moneyed' area where people aren't necessarily unkind, they seem to be just oblivious to others around them, and the net result is that people live in fairly insulated worlds. It's really apathy, but without the hint of meanness.

I think it's important to do good, friendly deeds on a daily basis. Why wait until Christmas or Thanksgiving and then make a brief, concerted effort to be nice to others? If you work in small things every day, your net gain at the end of a year is awe-inspiring.

For a while there I was somewhat involved in a socialist Christian group which stressed the words and deeds of Jesus as being of core socialist value: care for all people, lessening the misfortune of the poor or destitute, devaluing money and stressing morals, etc. It was a wonderful group.

Anyway, just my thoughts on your posting.

- Justin

-- Justin Shelton (justinshelton@netscape.net), October 26, 2000.

Many thanks, Hoot. We have an open door policy at our home, the door is always open for those in need, food, clothing, prayer, fellowship and esp. the door is open for those who wish to come and share Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner with us. PTL we raise our own turkeys! We have been on the receiving end of others generosity when we had hard times, this is our "payback" to them.

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), October 27, 2000.

I am thankful for the many little things I can enjoy due to a few large sacrifices I have made. Deciding to homeschool brought harsh scorn from my family, to the point that my mother is no longer allowed into my home. Since freeing my daughter from public schools she has become kinder to her siblings, more responsible, more helpful, and asking many questions. She respects me much more and her friends have visited more than when she was in school. It has been a good year for her and I.

I am thankful for the support I received to stand strong in my dealings with my exhusband which has resulted in more joyful time for my other daughter during her visitation with him and an end to her nightmares and causing strife in our home. It has been a good year for her and I.

I am grateful that I had the courage and support to stay at home with my girls. I got to see my youngest's first steps, hear her first words, and comfort her when she was sick. Money is tight, but we can sit in the yard and watch the dancing of the long grasses in the wind. We can talk and play beneath the apple trees for entire afternoons. We can play with the horses, dog, and kittens. We cook together, eat together, and all sleep under the same roof. I will never again have this time with them and I hope to make the most of it. They grow too quickly.

I am grateful that I had the courage and support to relentlessly, for two years, request help for horses being starved to death at a "rescue" until it was finally closed this year and the horses given to the care of those who will treat them well.

I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to be there for a neighbor and her children when times were rough and she needed someone to watch them. We have become good friends and help oneanother.

I am grateful to have been able to help a friend through a time of abuse from her husband which culminated into his arrest.

I cannot give money, but I can give time, support and love, which bolsters others to do better themselves. You are right, it is not always money or food people need.

-- Epona (staceyb@myway.com), October 27, 2000.

I am grateful for so many things and I try to at least mentally acknowledge them as often as I can. But I would like to share my thanks with you all about one thing. Please note: I am not trying to be sappy or cloying. I am earnestly sincere.

I am thankful that we can all share together on this forum. Because of some of the things that have been posted here, I have become stronger in some of my convictions. However, I have also sometimes found fresh perspectives, and yes, even changed my mind about a few things!

I have learned a great deal about subjects that not many folks have even an inkling about, much less would feel qualified to comment on. I have found a community that I can identify with, despite our myriad differences. We have more in common than we have "in different." I have also found some of the most caring people here.

Thank you to the Belangers and to Phil Greenspun for allowing us to be here. Thanks to our forefathers for the significant part about free speech! But mostly, just thanks to all of you!

I think about you daily and will especially remember you on Thanksgiving Day.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), October 27, 2000.