Thanksgiving thoughts…

The year winding down is always a good time for reflection. And on this Thanksgiving, I have to say that I cannot remember a year like this one. A year that has made me so depressed and dispirited. A year that has pretty much made me lose faith in my fellow humans.

The reactions to President Obama’s election, the recession, the debates on health care and global warming, have all brought out the worst in people. What has been laid bare is a shocking lack of compassion and empathy for the suffering of others. Our selfishness and greed have been exposed, and we revel in a sense of unprecedented entitlement, especially at the expense of others. Bald-faced lying and red-faced screaming have become the basis for debate. Racism, ignorance and unfounded fear of the “other” are trumpeted, as if these are qualities of which to be proud.

The mood that surrounds me has plunged me into depression. I have been battling my loss of hope, that this country — or even this species — will survive our own fear, anger, greed and short-sightedness.

So on this Thanksgiving, I must remind myself that I have to put into the world what I want to get out of it. If I value compassion, I must show compassion in all my actions. If I want to feel respect, I must behave respectfully. And if I want to feel joy, I must give joy to the world first.

Even if we are all doomed, and there is nothing I can do about that, there is still one small thing that I can do. I can do everything I can to make this world a better place. Because that is what I want for myself and for the people I love — for all people, really — a better place to live our short lives.

I hope that if anyone is reading this, the next time you find yourself reacting with anger and outrage and fear, that you will stop, take a moment, breathe. And remember: what you put into this world is what the world gives back to you.

Finally, I am linking to this even though I am sure you have seen it already, simply because it made me happy.