I'd be More Thankful if...

Is it selfish of me to wish for more things to be thankful for?

It’s Thanksgiving week.

You know, that time of year when we take a moment to reflect upon the goodness in our lives and be thankful for it. The time of year when we consciously decide to not take those things for granted.

I admit, this year has been full of 2020 vibes. In some ways, it really feels like 2020-2021 has just been one very, very extra-long year.

It’s been a difficult time in our history the last few years. A pandemic, racial tensions, political upheaval, it’s been a lot. That’s the world we seem to be living in these days. We humans don’t like to make it easy on ourselves.

But that doesn’t mean that we can’t be thankful.

On a personal level, I have plenty to be grateful for. I actually have been granted more in this life than I ever expected - a beautiful wife, two amazingly smart and charming daughters who entertain us daily, my sidekick for a dog and a house that keeps us all warm at night. My wife and I have jobs that allow us the opportunity to provide for our family. These are not to be taken for granted. I’ve hit the jackpot many times over.

Somehow lately, I keep asking myself this one question…

Is it selfish of me to wish for more things to be thankful for?

I wish that we could be thankful for a welcoming healthcare system that doesn’t financially punish people for their ailments. People shouldn’t have to decide between healthcare that can be life-saving and what they can afford. I’d be grateful if those were one and the same.

I’d be thankful for reformed law enforcement. Police departments in this country have been tasked with having to do too much, often with too little training. It’s impossible to ask our police officers to act as public safety and social workers and be able to respond with lightning-quick actions to threats of violence against them and others. It’s not fair to them or the community they have vowed to protect.

I’d be grateful if, at some point, Americans faced the reality that we haven’t been truly great yet. How could we be, if diversity and racial equality are just catchphrases? If the LGBTQ community is still begging for a seat at the table? If homelessness is still rampant, are we great? How can we be great if we are willing to step aside while the richest of the rich gain even more wealth while millions struggle for meals every day? We aren’t perfect, that’s unattainable. But, we could be better than we are.

I wish that fewer people had guns. Before you roll your eyes, listen. I’m not anti-gun. I’m truly not. I’m not a gun enthusiast, but if you are, that’s cool with me. However, I’d be thankful for fewer guns in the hands of people who really shouldn’t be gun holders. It’s just not great for a community to hear gunshots or read reports of gunshots within miles of your house on a nightly basis.

I’d be thankful if more people just smiled. Like, at each other, in passing. Even if it’s smiling at a stranger. I’m not always the best at this, but I want to be better. You never know when a smile can make someone’s day just a bit brighter.

I have plenty of more wishes - politicians to actually work for their constituents and not lobbyists - media to actually be neutral in presenting the news - dogs to live forever - the Chicago Bears to actually be good - the list goes on, but not everything is realistic.

I wish that I had the capabilities to make all of my Thanksgiving wishes come true. I don’t, because I’m not a superhero.

We can, however, do our own small parts every day to make this world better for each other.

A better world would make us all more thankful.

-JG