Editorial Director's Note: I wrote this in 2016. I can hardly believe it wasn’t just last week. In fact, so much is relevant today — even more relevant — that I wanted to share it with you here. And Happy Thanksgiving!
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| By Dawn Pennington |
It's Thanksgiving Day, and that means it's time to literally give thanks for all the blessings in our lives.
As Americans living in the 21st century, it's easy to take for granted all the bounty we enjoy.
Let's face it. No people in human history have lived in so much relative luxury, and enjoyed so much wealth, so much prosperity, so much peace, so much freedom and so much safety.
Yet despite our good fortune, many of us feel our lives really aren't in our control.
Many of us feel disconnected from our fellow citizens. And many of us feel the nation is far too polarized both politically and culturally.
Now, I certainly understand the impulse to concentrate on the problems one faces in life. I also understand that America isn't a perfect union. All one has to do is observe the animus of the presidential election to arrive at that conclusion.
Yet despite her flaws, America remains a bastion of liberty, free minds, free markets, free choice and free thought.
Yes, I know that there are certain forces in Washington, on Wall Street and in academia and other institutions that are intent on exercising control over the economy, the markets and the culture.
Yet keep in mind that you are in control of the most important ingredient in your recipe for success … and that ingredient is your own choices.
- Only you can control how you react to events.
- Only you can control how you approach reality.
- Only you can control your inner life, and how you process the world.
Indeed, the fact that you own your own life is perhaps the ultimate reason to be thankful this holiday season … and every holiday season.
So, as you reflect on the fortunes in your life — whether it be family, friends, financial success, career success, good health, your church, your community, etc. — I also want you to reflect on that most important ingredient that makes it all possible.
That ingredient is you, your independent mind and your relationship with reality.
This Thanksgiving, be thankful for everything you have … especially yourself.
To your health and wealth,
Dawn Pennington
Editorial Director
Weiss Ratings Daily
