Expanding the palate of our gratitude
We all have our favorite Thanksgiving sides: the ones we love to bring and the ones we can’t wait to enjoy made by that sibling or aunt. There also might be one or two side dishes we know need to be on the table but that we wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot spoon. Sweet potatoes with marshmallows? No thank you.
The same might also hold true for the list of things we choose to give thanks for – not only at this time of year, but every single day. Expressing gratitude even for the hard things is essential in faith and in leadership. Here are a few additional “alternative sides” we might try to work into our daily thanksgiving:
We all have our favorite Thanksgiving sides: the ones we love to bring and the ones we can’t wait to enjoy made by that sibling or aunt. There also might be one or two side dishes we know need to be on the table but that we wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot spoon. Sweet potatoes with marshmallows? No thank you.
The same might also hold true for the list of things we choose to give thanks for – not only at this time of year, but every single day. Expressing gratitude even for the hard things is essential in faith and in leadership. Here are a few additional “alternative sides” we might try to work into our daily thanksgiving:
For the times we feel humiliated
Yuck, who wants that? However, every time we are humiliated, we have an opportunity to draw closer to the cross and give thanks for the redemption that came from the humiliation our Lord chose to endure for us.
For the times we are forced to wait
What about our grand plans? Especially for those of us “type-A” folks, taking a moment to be grateful for a forced pause can be a way to remember the freedom we receive from realizing we aren’t in control. God’s plans are always much better than ours.
For the times we doubt
“But I need to know!” When we experience times of uncertainty, we can find rest when we choose to give thanks to God, knowing that he doesn’t expect or ask for our understanding, but rather for our trust.
We might need to push ourselves to add these challenges to our thanksgiving plate, but if we choose to see them as a part of the cornucopia of God’s infinite goodness, the grace that will pour out can make even those sweet potatoes with marshmallows taste better.
Dan Cellucci is the CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute.