The return of gratitude
It is three months to the day after Thanksgiving – but I think we need to re-visit that holiday. It seems to me it came and went without a lot of appreciation.
On Thanksgiving Day 2008, we had just elected a new president who campaigned on, “the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.” Remember how abysmal it was when we went to the polls? Unemployment was at 4.7%, the Dow at 9,625.
Back in those days, workplace grumblers and complainers were grumbling and complaining. They bemoaned their jobs, their salaries, their lives. Thanksgiving was observed in the usual manner – the network newscasts treated us to an onslaught of expectations for the Christmas shopping season.
Fast forward one-quarter of a year. People are losing their jobs, businesses are losing their customers, Dow is losing its points. But people aren’t grumbling and complaining about work as much. I think it is because our definition of thankfulness has changed.
Last night on television, a story aired about a man and his wife. They both have jobs, but recently found out that their salaries would be involuntarily reduced due to the economic slowdown. They must lower their household budget to cope with the shortfall. And the reaction of the man who was asked about having his salary cut?
“To be honest my first reaction was, I’m just thankful and blessed I have a job.”
I expect more people will have similar sentiments nine months from now, when we observe our next Thanksgiving Day.
