It's December 1, and my November Thankfulness Project is
complete. To be honest, I could keep doing the entries for at least
several more months - I didn't cover even half of my list, even with my
"cheating" of grouping people together in one entry. And
interestingly enough, as I added an entry each day, it spurred memories of
others, and my list continued to grow. This November project has been good
for me. It has brought to my remembrance many people who have at some
point in my life made an impression - collectively, they have made me who I am.
I am so blessed through the people in my life, and I need to make sure
they know that.
However, I must be honest with you about my
"list." There are several names on that list that I decided not
to write about, even if their name was randomly drawn. Why? Because
the influence they had on me, and the lessons I learned from my experiences
with those people were not positive, and I would never air that in a public
forum. Some of them were hard - very hard. So, why am I thankful
for them, and why are they even on the list? Because we learn from every
relationship we have in life - both the good and the bad. In fact, I have
probably learned from the bad, painful experiences I have had with people in life
much more than I have from the good - or at least as much. Those
"bad" experiences have made me more sensitive in a lot of ways to the
needs of others, and for that I am thankful.
As I started this project, I quoted from "It's A Wonderful Life" in my October 31st entry. One of the most memorable scenes in that movie is when Clarence tells George,“Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” Clarence was so right. The quote I used in the title of this entry speaks to the same concept. I AM a part of all that I have met, and that leads to a sobering thought - All I have ever met are a part of me. Now that I am through looking outward at others, I need to take a long, hard look at myself. Every day I come into contact with people in a multitude of ways - some live in my home, some I talk to on a regular basis, some I keep in contact with via email and Facebook, and others I simply encounter in random ways. If they were to make a list like I have made, would they be willing to write publicly about me, or would I fall under that category of those who had an impact, but in a painful or difficult way? That's something I need to consider.
I don't know for sure what direction I will go with this blog for now. I enjoy writing, and will continue to add entries, but probably not on a daily basis. I hope you will continue to stop by as you have opportunity. I'll close for now with the following thoughts from the Apostle Paul, penned in Phil. 2:1-8: "So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,even death on a cross." When we live with a Christ-like mind, we will be that positive influence in the lives of others. I plan to work harder at that, and I hope you will, too.
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