Giving thanks is good medicine

In October 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest with feasting, games and prayer. The celebration served to boost the morale of the 50 remaining colonists and to impress their allies.

Although the event of 1621 is known today as the first Thanksgiving, that harvest feast had many secular elements and would not have been considered a religious day of thanksgiving by the Pilgrims. Thanksgiving is one of our main national holidays here in the United States, but a good question to ask is: Are we as Christians celebrating it the way God would have us celebrate? Or have we lost the emphasis on thanksgiving and prayer and shifted it to a gluttonous feast of good food, drink and games?

More and more the media refers to the holiday as "turkey day" instead of Thanksgiving Day. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed our national day of thanksgiving with these words, "a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father." God was included in his declaration.

Psalm 95:1-3 says, "O come; let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with Thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."

Jesus and the Gospel authors knew what they were doing when they said, "Give thanks unto the Lord" because being thankful serves multiple purposes. When one gives thanks for "anything," he not only honors God but he helps himself as well. Oprah Winfrey suggests people keep a daily gratitude journal -- a great idea.

Scripture talks often about giving thanks to the Lord. Giving thanks for possessions, good health, talents and family and friends elevates people's self-esteem and sense of well-being. They notice what they have, rather than feeling sorry for themselves and complaining they have nothing, only bad things happen to them -- and "life sucks." However, when one reviews what he can be thankful for he begins to see life as being filled with plentiful opportunity and possibilities rather than inability and lack. He sees his life as being full rather than empty.

When one makes the "choice" to be happy and, consequently looks for reasons to feel blessed, his blood pressure normalizes (barring any pre-existing problems), his heart rate is regulated and one's general health improves. Cancer patients who are cheerful and thankful respond best to treatment. Deep-seated resentment, thanklessness and unhappiness contribute greatly to many health problems.

Another benefit of thankfulness is an improved social life. Others, naturally, enjoy interacting with people who uplift their spirits. When people see and verbalize that life and the world is filled with gladness rather than despair, they cause others to re-examine their perspectives.

Everyone knows one cannot always choose his circumstances but he can choose his attitude toward them. If one can pry open the bars to his, often, self-made prison of despair, he too can recognize everyone has something for which he can give thanks.

People often say the world is an evil place and make sure everyone knows of their appraisal. Take note and remember "one's world exists within his mind." Although the universe contains evil, we can each make a change within our own little corner of it. Everything begins with individual parts.

But when pieces connect, they complete a larger whole. The same holds true when people assemble to give thanks on Thanksgiving or any other day. When each joyful voice is heard in unison with others, happiness is spread and the evil in the world is forgotten for a time, at least.

One sees the good rather the bad, and says "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 136:1) Search for what you can be thankful.

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.