Thank Full

By Stephanie

For most Americans this Thursday is the big day of scrambling to visit family and eat lots of food you normally only eat on this special occasion. It’s also a day for giving thanks, another thing we might not normally do on any other day.

Why don’t we eat more pumpkin pie? And why aren’t we more thankful?

Especially in these hard economical times I’ve found my conscience scolding me for complaining about all the housework and all the clothes I have to launder and all the toys I yell at ask my kids to pick up. The shopping for groceries, the making of dinner, the washing of the dishes.

Looking at the big picture of it all, I am truly thankful that I have a house. It’s not even big (can’t imagine trying to keep up with a bigger house) and wow are we blessed that we have so many clothes and the kids have all the toys they could ever want. We have food to eat and dishes to eat off of. We even sometimes have left overs.

There are so many Moms out there- in the United States even!- that have so very little. Or nothing at all. I imagine they wish they had a house to vacuum. So much stuff that they had to complain about cleaning up. Food in the cabinets and fridge that they could be too tired to cook so they just decide to order a pizza or go out as a family.

There is so much to be thankful for. Not just the big and obvious. But the little and mundane. The very things that are the foundation for just making it through the day, even though I’m guilty of wondering if I will actually make it sometimes.

But yes I will make it. That’s a given. But for some… not so much. Shame on me for not being more appreciative of the dust on my tv.

I have so much but if you hear me speak or read what I write sometimes you might think I’m running quite empty.

I’m thankful I can at least admit this. And be honest. That I’m not perfect and am so very human. I make lots of mistakes and often times sound ungrateful. I am thankful that I am allowed to make those mistakes.

I’m kinda thankful that I’m not perfect. And I’m thankful for this sudden realization that I should stop living my life like I am.

Stephanie Precourt is the managing editor of 5 Minutes For Parenting and also blogs at Adventures In Babywearing.

Running a household can be tougher than running a business, so why not use that experience to get an online MBA from Marylhurst University in the comfort of your own home? 

 

14 Responses to Thank Full
  1. Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)
    November 25, 2008 | 12:13 pm

    Steph, you are soooooo very right… we are so fortunate and yet it is so easy to complain.

    As Canadians we had turkey day back in October, but I’m definitely still going to take a day of extra Thanksgiving this Thursday.

    Thank you for the reminder to be constantly thankful.

  2. Carrie at NaturalMomsTalkRadio
    November 25, 2008 | 12:32 pm

    Whenever I am feeling a little overwhelmed with housework, four kids, a business, etc… I just remind myself how blessed I am to have such “Abundance”… after all having lots of laundry and stuff to do is Abundance!

    God must love me and trust me a whole lot to give me all this Abundance. 😉

  3. Erin
    November 25, 2008 | 1:23 pm

    You make such wonderful points. I didn’t want to do the laundry yesterday, and I definitely didn’t want to go to work, but I need to step back and be thankful that I have an abundance of clothes to wear and a job to go to every day!

  4. Carolyn Vaughn
    November 25, 2008 | 3:07 pm

    You are perfect as is everyone else in their own way. It is our definition of perfection that needs adjustment.

  5. Carrie of Ceaseless Praises
    November 25, 2008 | 6:14 pm

    Thanks so much for this reminder- my little family (hubby, baby & I) are going to be home together for Thanksgiving & Christmas this year instead of visiting family, and I keep focusing on what we’re missing- seeing our families, and all, instead of being thankful that I have a husband & baby to enjoy this time with.

  6. Blessed
    November 25, 2008 | 9:48 pm

    thank you for this timely reminder, I so often get overwhelmed with the same things and complain – I need to be more thankful!

  7. midlife mommy
    November 25, 2008 | 11:57 pm

    I just ordered one of those plastic bracelets (well, several) that says “Thank You God, I Am Grateful.” I saw the woman who was making these on a talk show this morning, and I want to have it on my wrist so that I can remember to count the many, many blessings that I have. Thank you for the great post!

  8. Miche
    November 26, 2008 | 3:05 pm

    Awe, Steph, what a GREAT post! You are quite right-I often feel like I fail as a parent because the house isn’t cleaned, I didn’t make it to library time….but you make a great point-I am able to afford staying home. Heck, I work from home just for the EXTRA money for me to spend however.

    All of us should be thankful, especially now as we watch people lose their jobs and homes. We should be thankful even for that dust up on the TV and the stain on my carpet I have yet to get out.

  9. Mechelle
    November 26, 2008 | 6:07 pm

    This is such a great reminder. I was just thinking about this too~ How easily we forget how good we have it ~ We may not have everything we want but we have everything we need for the most part. Yes there are hard times but nothing can compare to not having a roof over our heads or food on the table. We have never had to stand in line, just to get a cup of rice or oatmeal.
    Thank you for your honest and heart touching post.
    ((hugs)) Mechelle

  10. Melissa
    November 28, 2008 | 3:06 am

    Good for you!

    I think I should make a sign reminding myself to give thanks for the dust on the tv (or the piano, or the window blinds, or the framed family photos). 🙂

  11. Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)
    December 4, 2008 | 5:07 am

    Oh yes – it is so important to stop and be grateful. I find myslef telling myself that all the time. I grumble that I am tired or that I don’t have enough time to get everything done, but what a beautiful life I have. My “problems” aren’t problems at all in comparison.

    THANKS for a great post!

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