Giving Thanks ?

We live in such an ugly world, don't we?

Everywhere we look, there is war, division, hate, bigotry and ignorance. Politics, politicians and their supporters urge us to adopt their myopic bigoted views and through their narrow minded bigotry, create division and disunity in our society. Gay folk, women and people of all colours and races face repression, prejudice and outright hostility on a daily basis. The ugliness in the world feels ever present.

But today is Thanksgiving in America. A time for reflection and for finding those things in life which lift us up. A day which helps us find the best in ourselves and the best in others.

So, when Politicians urge us to hate on immigrants, perhaps we should try to see the positives in controlled migration that meets the needs of skills gaps.

When they urge us to hate the rich, perhaps we could reflect on the fact that without the tax revenue derived from the rich, our national finances would be in a cataclysmic state.

When they spout hate against Israel or Palestinians, perhaps we should urge them to see that the only path to peace is through respectful dialogue, compassion and reconciliation.

When they target any particular group for criticism and hate, perhaps we should ask ourselves why they are targeting those people and wonder if it is justified.

When politicians and their supporters work ever harder to divide us, perhaps we should actively come together to bury our differences and find those things that unite us and bring us together..

Perhaps we should should strive for peace instead of taking the easy path to division and hate.

Thanksgiving and the Christmas season tend to bring preach that we should be more thoughtful of others.

Perhaps that's something we could adopt all year round. All we have to do, is decide to do it.

I wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving, whether you celebrate it or not.