Thanksgiving is a time of plenty… opportunities! 

I spent some time with a dear, sweet, caring friend this weekend, and it reminded me of the importance of cultivating gratitude for what I have. This is something I struggle with (This may shock some people, as I hide this struggle well). Through my work, I see a lot of people’s financial situation in which there isn’t enough… enough money to cover the cost of basic necessities, enough food to make it through the month without rationing or going without meals, enough time to meet with and access all the support programs available. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and struggle to remind myself that people are strong, resilient, and resourceful. 

And they are! So many people I meet with through my work are doing good, positive things to help themselves and their families. I am often so impressed with the lengths to which people are going to survive. My clients are loving, caring, hard working people who are looking for a second set of eyes to look at their finances to see what else can be done. It feeds my sense of hope. I am thankful to meet interesting and lovely people through my daily work. I am honoured to listen to their stories, and it is a gift to offer ideas, information, and support. 

I wish things were easier to access and there were fewer barriers to getting what people really need. And I am so impressed with the lengths to which social service staff go to support their clients and participants, working within systems that are difficult to understand and navigate. The warmth, care, and love in action are clear and fortify my hope. I am thankful to work alongside these wonderful human beings. 

In a culture that pushes so to strive for, buy more, be more all the time, taking a breath and thinking about the things we already have is a radical action that can help us feel like we are enough and we have enough. 

I asked my beautiful coworkers what they are grateful for this Thanksgiving, and this is what they shared:

•I am thankful the SERT (Special Education Resource Teacher) at my child’s school is so helpful. We are on the same page, rowing the same way.

•Health, home, and a house over our heads.

•I am grateful for the support I have around my children and me. I am grateful to be part of a community of people who look out for each other in tough times as well as good. I am grateful for the health of my family and the support of the healthcare system when in need. The saying is abundantly true; it takes a village. 

•I am grateful to be surrounded by highly intelligent people who ask the right questions, the ones I never think of, to build on what we’re hoping to achieve.

•I am grateful for this morning’s muscle aches because it reminds me that yesterday I pushed my limits successfully and did things I’ve not done before.

•I am grateful for the change of season, not just seasons of the year but seasons of my life. Heading toward my crone years and seeing my children spread their wings. The amazing growth and change I’ve seen in them and me emotionally and mentally has been very rewarding. 

•I am grateful for the amazing team I work with in the community and for the way that the people work with clients and the team helps me grow. 

•I am grateful for all the ways that I’m learning to take care of myself. 

•This Thanksgiving, I’m especially grateful for my friends and family who fill my life with love, laughter, and support. They’ve been my constant reminder of what truly matters. 

•I am thankful for my cat, Izzy, whose little moments of comfort and joy always brighten my days. 

I never want to disregard or diminish the difficulties we are all experiencing. While doing this, we can also think of the things we do have. These are physical things, time, space, thoughts, relationships, etc. What are the things you are grateful for? Share this with your friends and family (blood and chosen) and in the comments.