Some Food for Thought: Why Should We Give Thanks If We Have so Many Problems?

We are facing the worst economic crisis we’ve seen in years. Our economy is getting closer and closer to a full blown recession. Deflation is affecting every business and as a result we may be receiving the so dreaded “pink slip.” We are all loosing our homes even though we’ve tried so hard to negotiate a loan modification or minimize the banks’ loses by doing a short sale. We are seeing our retirement accounts loose money every day.

All these thoughts are probably running through the minds of many people today (partly because these are the popular headline news). So if we have so many problems, why should we be thankful for anything?

I will tell you why we should be giving thanks today and everyday for that matter.

I give thanks because even though I lost my home due to a declining real estate market, I still have my family together; so I give thanks.

I bought a home I could not afford and now I am in foreclosure but I learned from my mistakes and I am better informed now; so I give thanks.

I lost potential buyers and sellers due the economic troubles of today but I still have the respect and trust of all my clients; so I give thanks.

I lost my job due to a slowing economy but I still have my health for the next job; so I give thanks.

I got sick and ended up at the hospital but it could have been much worse; so I give thanks.

I lost thousands of dollars in the stock market due to the market crashing but I learned not to put all my eggs in one basket; so I give thanks.

I declared bankruptcy due a large amount of credit card debt but I can sleep stress free at night knowing that I can manage my money better today; so I give thanks.

I got divorced but I learned that sometimes a divorce is better than an unhealthy marriage; so I give thanks.

All of these things are what you should be saying and thinking everyday.

There are a lot of bad things that may have happened, but there are also good things that we should be thankful for.

Often times we get overwhelmed with all the bad news we hear or the personal problems we have that we fail to see the good things in life.

One of my secrets to living a happier life is using what I call the “three for one” rule. It is simple to follow. All you have to do is think about three good things in your life for every one bad situation or thing that is happening to you. If you do this often, you will live a happier and healthier life. So get your thinking cap on and give thanks.

That is it….I just wanted to give all of you some food for thought.

Now I have to go back to hosting my family’s Thanksgiving party.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

[Update 11/26/08]: I woke up this morning and got ready for some showing appoints (any day is a good day for some eager buyers). I briefly checked my emails and I found a great story in the San Jose Mercury News. This very well written story reflects the meaning conveyed with the post you just read.

The story is about Rodney and Lydia Reynolds of Fremont, CA; who have overcome the stresses of financial troubles including foreclosure and the heartbreak of a rocky marriage.

Julia Prodis Sulek for the SJMN writes, “As they sat around the Thanksgiving table, they considered their journey. They are still paying off medical bills, but are healthy now. They lost their privacy, but rediscovered their marriage. They no longer have a house of their own, but this family, on the verge of breaking up just a year ago, is still together. And for that, they are thankful.”