This image prompts me to be more introspective and less of a creative story telling venture. An honest look is never a bad thing no matter what it might reveal because that is how we grow.
Oh, where to start on the day after Thanksgiving and the one holiday that propels us to be thankful even if we don’t feel it. Yesterday we stuffed ourselves with to much food, family, football and plans to rise early to spend money we may not have on things we may not need just because the world tells us we should. After 18 years working retail and long exhausting shifts the day before, day after and all weekend of Thanksgiving, I still don’t get it.
There is so much I am grateful for in my life and to just begin in no particular order –
- My freedom to exercise my faith in my God
- My family – beautiful wife, daughter and others
- My friends – near and far, old and new
- My daily bread – I never go hungry for lack
- My jobs – that provide the means
The list could go on and on stretching into pages and pages, but lets stop there for now as there is so much more and all those things we (I) take for granted every single day.
I am more than thankful that God has given me a mind that can and should be always filled with gratitude; but is not always and He extends His mercy accepting this weakness!
Maleko ©2012
(This was written from the image prompt above ‘GRATITUDE’ for Free Write Friday using what is called stream of consciousness writing, no editing, no proofing just writing! Please check out Kellie Elmore’s blog for more information on Free Write Friday’s, comment with you link on Kellie’s blog, post on twitter hashtag #FWF and join the fun! )
Thanks so much for sharing Mark! It is so important to never give up on remembering what we should be grateful for!
Amen!
Wonderful, Mark! Kelly really selected the right word for the day AFTER Thanksgiving! Here is mine: http://catnipoflife.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/free-write-friday-10-gratitude/
Thanks Sharla, I left a comment on your great post also! Grateful for the connections made in cyberspace!
YES!!! Yes, we SHOULD ALWAYS be filled with gratitude for our many blessings. If we have a roof over our head and clothes on our back, we should be thankful. We get so CONSUMED with the things we want and those greedy desires of the world that we forget what is important or just how bad we could have it! Thank you for an awesome post!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Kellie, your prompts always seem to hit a nerve in a good way. I love participating!
A great reminder for me too, Mark!
My pleasure Shawn as you so often do that for me!
You are talking aboutBlack Friday, when mentioning the world telling you to go out and buy stuff, right? Living in the Netherlands, I have never experienced a day like that. Is it really that bad?
And thank you, Mark, for you lovely post. Your words radiate calmness, contentment and gratitude.
Yes, Marion Black Friday is the reference at least here in the US. It really can be that bad but as it all things there are some really good people too, but it so easy to get caught up in the frenzy of consumerism and greed for most. The worst part for me was always being away from my family during the holidays. Thank you for the kind words, glad you liked the post. I am truly blessed and try to remember to be grateful for that!
What a concept! To be thankful on other days besides Thanksgiving! I love it!!!! 😀
Beautiful post – thanks for sharing! Gratitude is something to embrace every day.
Thank you so much! And I especially appreciate the follow, hopefully I can share something that will inspire you from time to time!