Giving thanks for the crises averted

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you deserve.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,

For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,

Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

Are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

And they can become your blessings.

-- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

“Greetings, I haven’t seen you in a while. What’s new with you?” the cashier asked the man in front of me in line at the market.

The man smiled and said, “Well, I guess there isn’t really anything new, but, it’s a new day, and I’m always thankful for another day. It’s great to be alive, and it’s a great time to be thankful. Heck, it’s always time to be thankful, don’t you think?”

The cashier smiled as she unloaded the few items that the man had in his basket and said, “I couldn’t agree with you more, but you can’t believe some of the people that I see come through the lines here; so many of them seem grumpy. But judging by the way they are dressed and the foods they buy, I’d say that they have plenty to be thankful for, but they sure don’t act that way. Me, I’m thankful for my family, my friends, my job, my health, and so much more.”

After the man signed for his food, he said, “I’ve been thinking about this, seeing as we’re heading into Thanksgiving and all, and I think I’d like to say to people, if you can’t be thankful for what has happened to you, then why not start by being thankful for all the things that haven’t happened to you?”

The cashier thought about the man’s comment for a moment, and then handed him his copy of the receipt.

“That’s not a bad idea; you may be onto something there,” she replied. “We’ve all been spared more problems than we can imagine. It was great to see you again, and if I don’t see you next week, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.”

The man returned the greeting, picked up his bag of groceries, and headed out the door.

The cashier unloaded my items, and I said, “That man had a point. There are so many problems we’ve avoided that we don’t even think about, let alone be thankful about.”

“It’s another way of looking at things, of finding the positive in life,” she answered. “I’ll have to try it.”

After hearing that conversation, I found the quote that begins this column. I like the reminder to see the positive potential in problems. We can be thankful that God knows how to turn our limitations into opportunities and our troubles into blessings.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at [email protected] or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive, Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

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