The Brass Ring is Still Out There

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I am in a different place than I was one year ago. The exercise of trying to post every day in the month of November has paid off in a way I didn't expect. Without checking I think I missed 5 days - how about about I treat those in an Anglican manner and call them "feast days" (cheat days as some of us call them)?

Truly the real meat and potatoes (turkey and dressing?) was served while keeping a thankful outlook this last week. The quotes I have posted have been rather tasty - chewed thoroughly and digested completely. I understand now, perhaps for the first time in my life, that a thankful heart is not only "happy" but a choice one makes. It's not a feeling or an emotion. It is a way of living.

After surveying what I have versus what I don't have, I will take that which belongs to me. I'll be the first one to admit that I wish things were better - not only for me and my family but for those many folks around us genuinely hurting. This was made completely clear by the sudden death of one of our writers at Hopeful Parents the day before Thanksgiving.

So I conclude the month of November 2009 with a new insight and perspective. I am fortunate to have this blog where I have met so many wonderful people either physically or via the cyber universe. In a way I've been reminded that I'm still on that Carousel of Life with the brass ring still dangling within my grasp - more than determined to grab that sucker the next go by.