The Inspiration for Gratitude
November 22, 2006
Thanksgiving is a very American holiday. It was created, as we all know, in 1621 by the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony after they had enjoyed a good harvest. What many people don't realize is that it replaced a very different ritual that they had been practicing for many years.
Ben Franklin explains:
"There is a tradition that in the planting of New England, the first settlers met with many difficulties and hardships, as is generally the case when a civilized people attempt to establish themselves in a wilderness country. Being so piously disposed, they sought relief from heaven by laying their wants and distresses before the lord in frequent set days of fasting and prayer."
All that "constant meditation" and fasting made them "gloomy and discontented," Franklin says, and "like the children of Israel there were many disposed to return to the Egypt which persecution had induced them to abandon."
Happily, Franklin tells us, a farmer "of plain sense" suggested to the Pilgrim Assembly that instead of continuing to bother the Lord with their complaints and requests, they for once thank Him for the blessings they had been given. For although times were still hard, things were getting better:
"... their seas and rivers were full of fish, the air sweet, the climate healthy, and above all, they were in the full enjoyment of liberty, civil and religious."
Instead of a fast, the farmer suggested, it would be more fitting to proclaim a day of thanksgiving. His advice was heeded, and "from that day to this," as Franklin said, we have "every year observed [these] circumstances of public felicity."
Since Early to Rise is named after a gem of Franklinian wisdom, it's fitting that we should be reminded of the purpose of this holiday by the man himself. And the point he was making - in case his slightly old-fashioned English baffles you - is that the Pilgrims didn't wait till everything was perfect before they gave thanks. They looked at the good and the bad of their situation and made a conscious choice to spend the holiday being thankful for what they had rather than wishing for things they lacked.
Franklin was taking a moral position in describing the first thanksgiving the way he did, but he was also making a very useful observation: By focusing on their problems and asking for help, the Pilgrims had gradually turned themselves into grumpy, unhappy campers. If you want to feel better about your life, Franklin was implying, the first thing you need to do is be grateful for what you have.
And we all have plenty.
That's the point Robert Ringer was making when, in 2004, he wrote this in ETR:
"Since every negative has an offsetting positive built into it, and vice versa, you always have a choice as to whether to focus on the abundance or the scarcity in your life. My firsthand experience has convinced me beyond all doubt that if you want more negatives in your life, all you need to do is think about the negatives that already exist.
"Likewise, if you want more positives in your life, focus on the positives that you already have. You'll be amazed at the number of new positives that will almost magically make their way into your life as the result of focusing on the positive side of the equation."
Think positive, Ringer is saying. You will not only feel better (the benefit Franklin promises), you will actually enjoy more positive events in your life. Ringer says there's a scientific basis for this.
"What makes it possible is the fact that (1) all atoms are connected and (2) atoms vibrate at tremendous rates of speed. This is why when your thoughts are positive, science works its wonders and causes those vibrating atoms in your brain to draw positive forces into your life."
For Ringer, science is an extension of what he calls the Conscious Universal Power Source, "or what people variously refer to as God, Yahweh, Allah, Supreme Being, etc." He also believes that since we are all always connected to this Conscious Universal Power Source, we all have infinite power at our disposal.
I have two thoughts on that. I do think that we are all connected to a universal power source, but I don't know whether that power source is conscious. And even if there is such a thing as a universal mind or collective unconscious (Who could deny it?), I haven't seen any evidence that any one of us can use it to create unlimited power. Except in comic books, I haven't seen people fly. And despite everything science has been able to accomplish in terms of battling disease, we all still grow old and die.
No, we are not masters of the universe. However hard we try to tap into outside sources, we never will be omnipotent. But being limited in our powers doesn't make us impotent. There is so much that we can do - especially if we are confident in our potential, persistent in our efforts, and intelligent in our choices.
In short, we should be wise enough to accept our limitations but bold enough to believe in what we can do ... which is a great deal.
For example, I think it would be wise for you to accept the fact that:
1. You won't live forever.
2. You won't ever be able to fly under your own power, travel through time, etc.
3. You won't be able to lose weight without eating better and exercising more.
4. You won't be able to "attract success" unless you take action.
On the other hand, think about the things you can do:
1. You can deepen and improve your relationships with everyone you meet.
2. You can eat well and exercise vigorously to maximize your health.
3. You can learn something useful every day.
4. You can write good books, paint good paintings, and learn new languages.
5. You can start your own business next year.
6. You can become wealthy within seven years.
7. You can become kinder and more generous and enjoy the benefits of being so.
Most of us aspire to better, richer, happier lives. Be thankful that, whatever handicaps you have and obstacles you face, you still have the means to improve yourself. You may not be able to get a paralyzed limb to move (although that may one day be possible), but you can strengthen the rest of your body and you can endlessly improve your mind.
And you can be thankful.
At Thanksgiving, many people talk about being thankful, but I wonder how many actually practice that virtue?
It is a very powerful behavior - one that can transform your life.
posted by M. Masterson @ 9:02 AM,
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