Thanksgiving Day conjures thoughts of the original "Big Bird," the turkey. I ran across an intriguing, yet timely Chinese proverb: "The Bird of Sorrow has to fly about, but see that it does not nestle in your head."
While I consider the ups and downs of this past year, I would like to share a few reflections with you.
You may recall the scene in the movie, Forrest Gump, during a marathon race, and the saying, "It happens" was born. It's true, stuff happens. Maybe we expect life to be easier than it was ever meant to be.
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Perhaps if our original expectations of what life should be like weren't unrealistic, our disillusionment would not be so great. If the Bird of Sorrow nestles in your head, you may feel too disappointed with life's curve ball to notice your blessings. Yet, we all know there is opportunity in crisis. Sometimes, we need to look hard to be able to recognize a blessing that does not arrive gift wrapped with a big bow on the top.
This Thanksgiving, make a list of everything for which you are thankful. Compare it to your troubles. You may find that your list of problems pale in comparison to the bounty of your blessings, or even that a problem is a blessing in disguise. When the Bird of Sorrow flies overhead, don't forget to wave!