Today I had turkey for lunch. Nothing out of the ordinary for most Americans, but for me it was a first on this particular date. Like most of the world, I do not celebrate Thanksgiving. Having lived most of my life in catholic countries, where people are more used to ask for divine help than thanking God, the idea always seemed a little odd to me. Add to that the fact that I am a convinced atheist and you will understand why I haven’t really paid any attention to this festivity.
Today was different though, that turkey made me think (at least it did not die in vain). In a world where most spend too much time complaining about all the things they cannot afford, it is actually good to spend some time analyzing all the good things that surround us and that we too often take for granted. This shouldn’t turn into a complacency exercise though. We should always do our best to improve our life but that effort shouldn’t be motivated by living in a constant state of misery, thinking that happiness will only be achieved when all our goals are met. The way I see it, Thanksgiving is a pause to remind everyone that everyday life can and must be enjoyed, even if we haven’t reached all our goals yet.
So, today, even though I do not have a God to thank, it doesn’t mean that I have reached my current situation (whatever that is) without any help. That is why I want to thank my parents, my wife and kids, my friends and colleagues for the life I have enjoyed so far. Happy Thanksgiving to all.