I can’t take credit for the title of this article. I give all the credit to Don Henley, who included this line in the lyrics to his amazing song released on his album Inside Job, in 2000. I have a Morning Affirmation Playlist (see below) that I listen to, immediately following my morning meditation and the first song that played when I hit shuffle this morning, was “My Thanksgiving.” It’s been a long time since I heard it and the lyrics hit me like a splash of cold water in my face – they woke me up!
Life can be beautiful, but life sure can be hard sometimes too. Even in the darkest times of my life I have always tried to look for things to be grateful for. In the space where I’m at right now, I’m really having trouble with that. So, I start each morning saying “thank you” because I opened my eyes and have another chance to make this day better than yesterday.
And as I move through the day I try really hard to hold onto that grateful heart, which can be very tricky on those days where stress and disappointment are coming at you from all directions. Recently, I lost a friend; someone who is/was very important to me. They didn’t die, they just exited my life with no real explanation. So, not only do I miss my friend, but I’m also all twisted up in the wondering why. What is there to be grateful for in that? The lessons. I’m grateful for the lessons. Because of him I learned that I’m still able to love someone. After the last couple relationship disasters I endured, I didn’t think that was possible. Now I know it is, so thank you.
Even though it was painful, putting that relationship behind me, it was what I needed in order to fully see where I’m heading. In the light of that burning bridge I see that I deserve better. I deserve someone who can meet me at my level and not drag me down. I know I’ll be much more cautious before giving my heart away next time, but I will not let it stop me from loving again because now I know that I can. For all this I am thankful, and I will continue forward in the light of this burning bridge with patience, hope and confidence.
Since the last time we spoke
Some of them are funny
Some of ’em ain’t no joke
And I trust you will forgive me
If I lay it on the line
I always thought you were a friend of mine
Sometimes I think about you
I wonder how you’re doing now
And what you’re going through
The last time I saw you
We were playing with fire
We were loaded with passion
And a burning desire
For every breath, for every day of living
And this is my Thanksgiving
Now the trouble with you and me, my friend
Is the trouble with this nation
Too many blessings, too little appreciation
And I know that kind of notion-well, it just ain’t cool
So send me back to Sunday school
Because I’m tired of waiting for reason to arrive
It’s too long we’ve been living
These unexamined lives
I’ve got great expectations
I’ve got family and friends
I’ve got satisfying work
I’ve got a back that bends
For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving
Have you noticed that an angry man
Can only get so far?
Until he reconciles the way he thinks things ought to be
With the way things are
Here in this fragmented world, I still believe
In learning how to give love, and how to receive it
And I would not be among those who abuse this privilege
Sometimes you get the best light from a burning bridge
And I don’t mind saying that I still love it all
I wallow in the springtime
Now I’m welcoming the fall
For every moment of joy
Every hour of fear
For every winding road that brought me here
For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving
And for everything that broke my heart
For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving
