I really don’t wish to appear greedy. Be that as it may, I wish for myself and you that every day would be Thanksgiving Day. Before I say anything else, however, I must offer a disclaimer.
I know that some of you reading these words are undergoing great suffering, perhaps from the loss or difficulties of a loved one, from your own physical or emotional pain, or from limitations that set you apart from the majority.
How hard, if not impossible, it must be for you to give thanks for your circumstances. As another human being, I can only say there is much in life beyond our understanding, but please know my heart goes out to you.
It is the human heart that I would like to focus upon during this season of Thanksgiving, for I believe that the capacity to appreciate and give thanks is what makes our hearts fully human.
If we fail to make the effort to give thanks on a daily basis, not just once a year, we have diminished the humanity of our hearts.
I am a rabbi who treasures God’s presence in my life beyond my ability to fully articulate. But next to my awareness of the divine as the foundation of my existence, I would place gratitude.
I believe if we can establish gratitude as one of the building blocks of our lives, then gratitude can lead us toward the manner of life that would bring a smile to the very countenance of God.
Hopefully, when we begin to count and be grateful for our blessings, we realize how so many others are less fortunate than we are. By doing so, we increase our compassion for our fellow human beings.
Surely as we develop more compassion, we bring increased joy to our Creator.
Furthermore, when we are grateful, we are more likely to be kind to others. The kindness we show to others not only enriches their lives, but ours as well.
What a wonderful expression Paul Williams gave to us all in writing about the late, great puppeteer, Jim Henson. Williams described Henson as possessing “the elegance of kindness.”
There is a magnificent legend in the Jewish faith that speaks of God looking down upon creation and seeing us humans and the myriad of ways that we have come to describe Him.
How bitterly we can sometimes argue and even destroy those whom we feel do not possess the true understanding of the divine.
In this legend, God says, “If only my children would stop worrying about who or what I am, and simply learn to be kind to one another.”
“….and simply learn to be kind to one another.” Oh, what a different and better world ours could be if each of us could contribute, even just a tiny bit, to the elegance of kindness that God would desire for us all.
During the Thanksgiving season, and every day, may we give thanks and show compassion and kindness to others.
In doing so, your presence will be a blessing to all you touch and to our Creator.
Alvin Sugarman is rabbi emeritus of The Temple in Atlanta.
