Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings. Definitely we have a lot to thank God for. A lot of good things have happened in our lives. A lot of success stories. And then we can be thankful for the many relationships and our family. May be then there are prayers answered. More the reasons we have to thank for, greater the joy at the celebration.

Do we really have to have a positive outcome to thank for? Can we not be thankful for the very process itself? Our football team lost in the playoff game. Can we still thank God for the fact that we reached this far and that the boys put up a good performance? Do we have to win to be thankful?

When we pray for the healing of someone and find that our prayers are not answered, can we still be grateful? I believe we have to be thankful for the fact that our prayers showed the depth of our love for the person or for the fact that it showed the depth of our faith. Or, for the fact that a lot of people showed their support when we needed it most, we can be grateful.

So if we do not look just for the outcome, or the finished product to be grateful, we would find that there is reason to be glad all along the way. Often we are so caught up with the future that we fail to enjoy the present. Especially these days when we are multitasking, we fail to enjoy each moment. Let us forget focusing on the future, but focus on the present and do things well. A present lived well will surely ensure a better future. Then there is joy to be had, not just in the future, but also in the present. Happy Thanksgiving!