Last Sunday in Holy Mass, the priest started enumerating the world’s problems – stuff that CNN normally delivers. He started with a mention of the crumbling economy, the mass layoffs, the rising unemployment, and the record foreclosures. He reminded us about the alarming number of people losing their homes. He warned about the wars that affect us all and worried us about the millions of people starving and dying of disease.
He touched on global warming and the deteriorating environment. He preached that our current ecological problems—pollution, acid rain, and the depletion of the ozone layer—are due to our carelessness. He then moved on to our moral dilemmas—same-sex marriage and abortion. He went on and on with a long list of ills.
After a while, I found myself missing the point of his sermon. Like many people, I’m usually not a fan of long sermons. But I think what he meant to say was, despite our problems, we can be thankful for so many things.
The first American Thanksgiving was recorded in 1621. It was a day of feast and celebration. Despite the many problems confronting the early settlers, they managed to muster the spirit to give thanks. They celebrated the harvest and gave thanks for the bounty of the crops. The early European settlers did not know exactly how to live in a new world that we now call North America, but they were thankful. Tough times were ahead as they acclimated to life in a completely different territory. They were able to celebrate and give thanks in the midst of those tough times. That is the spirit we revere on Thanksgiving Day.
If you still have a house, be thankful. Millions are losing or have lost theirs. And if you have lost your house due to foreclosure, you can still be thankful for the opportunity to rebuild and to start anew. For many, there is even an air of relief after the emotionally hard-fought battle to keep their homes. Some advocate renting instead of owning due to fluctuating real estate prices. Some experts believe that since home values took a significant dive, renting may be a smart move. If you are able to rent, be thankful.
With unemployment numbers soaring, be thankful if you still have a job. If you have lost your job, check to see if it’s time for a career change. Maybe you need to move on. Take a deep breath and take a step back. Look around you and use the holiday vacation for some reflection. Use this time to rethink your life’s direction. Nothing in life is guaranteed. There is no job security anywhere. Just ask all of those highly paid CEO’s who got sacked when their companies tanked.
Losing a job is difficult and stressful. Accept your current situation and be open to new possibilities. Don’t wait for things to happen. Take responsibility for your life and follow a path of action. You may have to make a shift in attitude or re-adjust your outlook. If you’re healthy, you can find a new job or a new career. You can expand your horizons. Be thankful for the opportunity to bring change into your life.
For many immigrants, it was disappointing that the immigration reform that was supposed to legalize many families failed this year. There are still over 12 million illegal immigrants in the US who are uncertain of their future. We hope to see a significant movement in immigration reform early next year. Be thankful that you have safely immigrated to the United States. This nation is far from perfect, but this is still a country of plenty. You can still pursue your dreams here and, despite the recession, you can still succeed with good effort.
If you are ill or sick, get a new perspective on life. Many doctors believe that stress contributes to illness. Many people are so stressed out due to work, family, and fear of the future that they forget to take care of themselves. They get so bogged down with daily routines and maintenance. See if you can delegate, eliminate or otherwise simplify. Try to slow down. Catch your breath. Look for some balance in your life. Don’t ignore good medical advice, but do be open to new paradigms and ideas. Give thanks that we are surrounded with good doctors and wonderful new ideas about living a full and healthy life.
Be especially thankful for all the love in your life. There are many broken families in America and around the world due to loss of love, of life, of liberty and countless other evils. Look at your family and improve your relationships with them. Spend quality time with your kids, as they are the focus of our world’s hope. And they are only with us for awhile. Then reach out to other families and share your good fortune.
Despite the current problems, our world is full of wonder and beauty. It’s easy to become discouraged and even depressed when we watch the news. But when we realize the full potential we have to transform ourselves, we see that we can create solutions and new possibilities despite our problems. Time and time again throughout history, we see courageous men and women transform themselves and the times and societies around them. Let’s be thankful that we have the capacity to create change and live meaningful and productive lives.
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Lazaro Law Group, Professional Corporation represents immigrants all over the United States and the US Embassy in Manila. The firm’s offices are located in San Francisco, Fremont/Newark/Union City, and Sacramento, California. Attorney Johnson Lazaro can be reached at (415) 800-5775 or toll free at (855) 4-LAZARO. His email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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This article should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. This is not meant to create a lawyer-client relationship.
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