Dear Dad,
Give thanks, be grateful, count your blessings. Can you believe that Thanksgiving week is already here?
When you count your blessings this Thursday what you are literally doing is acknowledging the “abundance” in your life. Special events, cherished family members, and favorite food at a level beyond what’s needed to achieve satisfaction. That’s what a blessing is. Abundant beyond satisfaction.
The Thanksgiving feast is an annual ritual used to celebrate our blessings. A tradition that we take so seriously that we tend to stuff our bellies so full that the only reasonable expectation the rest of the day is to lounge around and watch football. It’s an odd way to celebrate our abundant lives. Heap on some more abundance with a side of gravy.
We are so lucky to live in a time and place where food is abundant. Food abundance is inconsistent with most of human history. Not too long ago, and for many others who are less fortunate today, food is scarce. In times of food scarcity it would make more sense to feast as a celebration. When food is abundant, available all the time, anywhere we go, as much as we want, whenever we want, what makes Thanksgiving indulgence so customary?
As comedian Jim Gaffigan says on stage when scratching his head and considering the Thanksgiving tradition of over eating… “we do that every day…”
What’s the best way to celebrate our food abundance? To recognize and internalize the fact that what you don’t eat today will be there tomorrow. That’s the joy of abundance. Enjoy delicious food this week, with loving family, friends, and hopefully good football. But there is no reason to eat like there’s no tomorrow because tomorrow will come and everyone loves Thanksgiving left-overs.
This is just as much for me as anyone else.
With love,
JSR
