Reading and talking with children about what matters is a habit parents want to nurture and putting those conversations on a holiday menu is an opportunity not to be missed. The conversation can take many forms, the usual being a list of what, in our lives, we are thankful. The conversation can also take a less conventional route of noting those aspects of our lives that don’t go as smooth as we would hope, best captured in the poem: Be Thankful, Author Unknown, posted November 23,2009 in Musings. I continue to think about the ideas found in that poem—
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire…
be thankful for the difficult times…
Be thankful for your mistakes…
It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Take Time For 8 Matters of the Heart by Ed Young is my holiday thought for this year. It is less a list of what I am thankful for and more an ode to what constitutes a meaningful life.
Take time for repose
it is the germ of creation.
Take time to read
it is the source of wisdom
Take time to think
it is the source of strength
Take time to work
it is the path or patience and success
Take time to play
it is the secret of youth and constancy
Take time to be cheerful
it is the appreciation of life that brings happiness
Take time to share
it is in fellowship and sound relationships one finds meaning
Take time to rejoice
for joy is the music of the soul
