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Happy Thanksgiving Day.

My holiday wish for you is that this holiday becomes just one more day of giving thanks, that you find a way to be thankful every single day for the family and friends in your life, for your health, for the material abundance in your life.

If you are reading this, it’s likely that you own a computer and that you are in a warm and safe place. Think about that! Think of the millions upon millions in this world with no shelter, no electricity, no computer, no nothing. If you’re reading this, you are very likely blessed every single day of the year, not just the last week of November.

This year, I’ve been engaged in a gratitude project. Every morning, I write a list of at least two dozen things that make me grateful. I’m alive, I’m sober, I’m healthy, I have a home and a car, I have family that loves me, friends that comfort and delight me. Some days, I can’t stop at 24 and just keep going. One day, I found 100 things in my life for which I could express heartfelt gratitude. I actually believe the list could be endless. Yes, I think I am just that blessed. For one thing, there are far more than 100 people who have blessed me by being in my life, including high school teachers who inspired me and law school professors who disciplined my intellect. I’ve had mentors in at least three professions. I’m one lucky guy.

Sometimes, I feel sorry for myself. I’m on the number one hit parade of pity party givers (or takers, as you like it). I can get really down. Oh, boo hoo, John. Things didn’t go your way. Someone said something you didn’t like. Your little feelers got hurt. I think I’ll just crawl off and eat worms and die.

Sometimes, I get taken over by envy. Who wants a Mid-Life Chrysler convertible when someone else has a nifty Ferrari?

When I get to feeling sorry for myself, I’ve found a great way to battle that feeling. I just remind myself that the starving children of Darfur are gathering in a prayer circle to express their dismay at how life’s treating me. The image makes me feel a little ridiculous.

May you feel deeply blessed this day and every day. Happy Thanksgiving!

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