Beyond Thanksgiving

Well it is now December!

It is hard to believe that the year 2013 is winding down and nearly over. It seems like it was just yesterday that everybody was preparing for the end of the world (or at least the end of the Mayan calendar) on 12/21/2012.

This year's big year end fears come from retailers that complain about the short shopping season, Obama haters that rail against the Obamacare roll-out and poor performing website, doom and gloom economic forecasters that would have us believe that the best economy in the past decade is somehow a bad thing or a host of any other negative, fear-generating prognosticators that seem intent on creating drama and disaster where none exists.

The daily "I'm thankful for..." posts on Facebook will come to and end and we can all go back to our normal routines that don't require us to come up with something to post about something for which we don't usually give a second thought.

BAH! HUMBUG!

I say let's keep on being thankful!
Let's look to 2014 with hope instead of fear!
Let's share our hope and our happiness with those that seem to be in darkness and despair.

Let's have an attitude of gratitude that is shown in everything that we say and do.
Let's emphasize the peace and goodwill theme of Christmas rather than the greed and capitalistic part.
Let's treat one another well each and every day.

...And let's share those moments on Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.

If you feel awkward about sharing something nice that you've done for somebody, share about somebody that did something for you or somebody else. Let's keep our eyes open for the good things that people are doing...and let's share that and encourage others to join us in living with the attitude of gratitude.

Thanksgiving shouldn't be confined to a month...or a day!
Good will shouldn't be confined to a season.

I'm going to be on the lookout for those that are being nice. Schools or kids' camps often have awards that are something like "Caught being good" awards. That's what I'm looking for!

Be kind.
Be generous.
Get caught being good.

John <><