Silver Linings, Thankfulness, and All That Stuff

I don’t have a lot of space so let me get right to the point. Are you thankful for what you have?

As I sit down to put this column together I typically consider several different themes. Things like the current state of the futon furniture business (which is very good all things considered), recent shifts in the economy (or earthquakes for some), and many times my total frustration with the fact that we get no respect as a true furniture category (in the furniture trades) are usually at the top of my list. But this issue, as I look back over the past year with all of its personal, business, national and global tribulations, I decided giving thanks would be the best theme. With all that is going on in the world, at this moment in time, giving thanks couldn’t do us any harm, and I hope you will indulge me this once as I explain my need for thankfulness.

Thankfulness is an attitude or state of mind. It is a way of life and a worldview with a purpose. It changes your mood when you wake up, and affects every facet of your day. It tempers your interactions with every person you meet or work with, and ultimately it changes the very way you live. It does these things because it is a foundational element of your conscious existence, should you choose to build on its warmth and energy.

Thankfulness or gratitude has both a what and a who. For me the who is God. I do not expect a universal affirmation on this point. Obviously you can agree or put your own “who,” in that slot.
On the what side is a list too long to fit here. If you think I’ve missed something really important, like “your name here,” take it up with your “who.”

First some global things. I am thankful that I am an American and that I live in a country that affords me, my family and business associates the greatest level of freedom on planet Earth. I am totally amazed that I get to do so many of the things I want to do. I am thankful for the people I get to work with. They are hard working, creative and keep me on my toes (most of their names are listed in the table of contents). I am thankful for my advertisers and their continued commitment to support this publication. I am thankful for my job and the great opportunity it gives me to express myself. I am thankful for policemen and firemen in ways I had never thought about before. I am thankful I wasn’t born in Afghanistan, or anywhere else for that matter. I am thankful for my competitors who drive me to be even better than I would probably be satisfied with.

I am also thankful for some individuals. I am thankful that George Bush is President of the United States and that his cabinet is as good as it is. Donald Rumsfeld kicks butt with such sophistication and savoir faire. I am thankful that Todd Beamer and company were such heroes. They are the epitome of good triumphant over evil in our day. I am thankful for R.C. Sproul and his faithfulness. I am thankful for J.R.R. Tolkien and his stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I am thankful for my granddaughter Felicia who decided that I was Santa and everyone else in the family were my elves (including my dad, oops!). I am thankful for my wife Sharon and her constant encouragement and good counsel.

I would encourage you all to sit down for a few minutes, or a whole day if you have the luxury of time, and come up with your own list. Things will go sour somewhere along the line and a review of your list will pull you back to the reality of the things that are most meaningful to you.

Whew! I made it. Being thankful as a lifestyle is my goal for this year. I’ll let you know how I make out.

FL