Be Thankful for the Journey

Often this time of year, we see people mentioning on social media the things that they are thankful for. And it’s a common tradition for families to go around the table and share what they are thankful for at Thanksgiving dinner. We’re thankful for the good things, the people around us, the blessings that occur in our lives, the houses we live in, the opportunities we’re given, the things we achieve and rewards we receive. And deservedly so!  Its important to give thanks for everything we’ve been given in life, the families and friends we have, and the resources we have as we are fortunate to live in a country as great as this with so much to offer, even though it may not seem like it at times.  I am especially grateful for all those aspects in my life and the things I’ve been given.

But perhaps more so, I am thankful for the tough times – the failures, trials and tribulations that I encounter from day to day. Those things that bring out the blood, sweat and tears in our lives. You might be reading this and say “What?  What’s he talking about? Why should we be thankful for the bad things?”  Well, its not that I am thankful for the disasters, problems, and suffering in this world and the problems endured by myself, my family and my friends; no one wants to see that or experience those issues. But these things happen in life, and I am thankful for the good that comes from the bad - the personal growth that occurs as a result, and the clarity of thought, character and blessings that comes about. I have never encountered a trial, nor witnessed one, that has not resulted in some sort of blessing either for those involved, or for those witnessing from afar. Yes, I am thankful for the times when I have screwed up. I am thankful for when I have made mistakes and failed, because it has been in those times when I have learned the most and grown the most as an individual. It’s at these times where I have learned invaluable lessons that have kept me humble and have allowed me to grow as a person, a father, and a husband. I'm thankful for those times when I haven't been the person I aim to be, because its those times where I've grown the most to become the person I need to be. Believe me, I don’t want to make mistakes, but I am thankful for what comes out of them.

The last couple years have presented a few trials for me and my family. Nothing major in the grand scheme of things, and to someone else, they might seem minor in comparison. But to us they were significant and were things you just don’t want to go through as a person and as a family. Speaking for myself, these trials really made me look at myself and who I was as a person and who I strive to be. Looking back, they were the best things to happen to us, and have lead to many blessings, good experiences and positive relationships that we have encountered this year as a result. I am so thankful for the result, the blessings that have occurred and what I’ve been given. But I am more thankful for the journey - the perspective and character that has been instilled in us and the patience and integrity we had to maintain. Problems come and go, but character lasts a lifetime and as our journey continues, we are better prepared to handle the trials and successes that we’re sure to encounter down the road.  Without the journey, without the hurdles to build that character, we often revert to our old ways, and our same mistakes. So I’m thankful for the journey.

When we look at the world, our problems often seem trivial. Wars like we have in the Middle East, the natural disasters like the Typhoon in the Philippines, and the poverty and suffering in places like Haiti, it is all so overwhelming and nearly impossible to be thankful. Suffering, fighting, and poverty is everywhere, and we’re not immune to it. It happens right next door, with our neighbors. When we’re encountered with trials that result in illness, injury or losses of life to innocent people with no apparent reason, it is hard to be thankful. How can we be thankful for the suffering that occurs right here at home, the sickness or death of a loved one, or things that occurred this year like the Boston bombings and the loss of innocent lives during what was supposed to be a joyous occasion?

We need to be thankful for the good that it brings out in us, in our relationships, and the good it brings out in humanity by inspiring us to be better.  None of that can fix what happened, or take the suffering away, but it helps you to realize what you already have and how blessed you are, bring you closer to the people in your life, and perhaps help someone else down the road as a result. Below is what I wrote back in April while reflecting on the bombings, and it applies to my thoughts today:

“We can’t comprehend why. There is no reason that will justify why this occurred. We’ll never understand why for this, or for times like Newtown, Conn. My inspiration in times like this, amongst all the carnage, are the helpers, the good people, and the genuine care for people. It wasn’t the inspiration I was expecting to see yesterday, but maybe the inspiration I needed to see as graphic as things were. Because while there was a bad person or group at work yesterday, there were a half million good people along that route out there for the joy and when things went bad, willing to help. That’s the perspective we need to look at this from, and I wish it didn’t take event like this for the best to come out in people, but it’s during these times that I’m glad it does.”

Sometimes it takes a tragedy for the best to come out. Sometimes it takes a stumble for us to notice a blessing in our path. Sometimes it takes political strife and disagreements to revolutionize and bring about change. Sometimes illnesses, injury, or tragedies occur and the result is a healed relationship, a new perspective on life, or a positive impact on a neighbor in need. Sometimes we need to be humbled so that we can be of greater benefit to society and the less fortunate. So my prayer this Thanksgiving is that we not only be thankful for the good things in life, but also be thankful for the tough times we encounter, be thankful for the journey and what it yields. Because it is only through the struggle and hurdles of the journey that the truly good things in life occur. Always has been. Always will be.