Thanksgiving: Cartoons and Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day weekend is an American holiday. It's our version of the harvest celebration that I suspect most or all cultures developed: probably not long after shifting to agriculture as a source of food.

The American holiday, according to a Wikipedia article, "...has its historical roots in religious traditions, but today is celebrated in a more secular manner...."

I wouldn't mind if the religious aspects of Thanksgiving got a little more attention, but I also don't mind the secular angle: particularly since I can have fun with it.


(From Apathetic Lemming of the North (2012))


(From Apathetic Lemming of the North (2010))

Something I didn't see in the Wikipedia article was the American habit of visiting family during the four-day weekend. My wife and I are at the point where the kids come to see us, and that's another topic.

Theological Implications of a Spaghetti Hat

The poster featured a profoundly unhappy baby wearing a bowl of spaghetti. The slogan was something like 'thank God anyway.' Or maybe it was 'praise God anyway.'

It was cute, and made a sensible point.

Being thankful for good health, or an above-average income, is fairly easy.

Being thankful after coming down with the flu, or being fired? That takes effort.

Readings for November 22, 2012, Thanksgiving Day in America, included this:

"² And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth; Who fosters men's growth from their mother's womb, and fashions them according to his will!"
(Sirach 50:22)

Being alive could be near the top of a list of 'reasons for being thankful:' particularly when one considers the alternative.

- - - Aside from That, Pretty Good

I was used as a lab rat as an infant, without my parent's knowledge. (February 3, 2009)

I slogged through decades of undiagnosed major depression and ADHD-inattentive, or maybe Asperger's; lost a dear friend to suicide; and nearly lost my wife when one of our children died during childbirth. (June 3, 2012)

But aside from that, I've had a pretty good life:

"...I've been blessed with good parents, and a mind that's thirsty for knowledge. My wife stood by me through some very rough times. Four of our six children survived birth, and are as wonderfully varied a new generation as I could have hoped for...."
(June 3, 2012)

Emotions, Reason, and All That

I'm not one of those permanently-cheerful folks.

Even with pharmaceuticals that make thinking easier than it's been since my preteens, I'm all too capable of seeing life's serious side. Which doesn't make me a 'sour faced saint,' and that's yet another topic. (September 13, 2011)

I don't have anything against emotions: they're part of being human. But I try to avoid making decisions based on feelings.

If it sounds odd for a 'religious' person to say that: bear in mind that I'm a Catholic. We're told that:

• Reason
  • Isn't opposed to faith
    (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 35)
  • Is a critical part of
    • Conscience
      (Catechism, 1778)
    • Human law
      (Catechism, 1902)
    • Natural law
      (Catechism, 1954-1960)
  • As intellect, an attribute of God
    (Catechism, 271)
  • An ability which makes human beings like God
    (Catechism, 1730)
• Emotions
  • Are "natural components of the human psyche"(Catechism, 1764)
    • Aren't "good" or "bad" by themselves
      (Catechism, 1762-1770)
  • Should be governed by reason
    (Catechism, 1767)
  (December 18, 2011)

I've felt grateful: an emotion. I've also decided that I was grateful: a reasoned decision. There are times when I have to think a lot before deciding to be grateful.

Somewhat-related posts:

• Gratitude
  • "Recovering From Sandy: Breezy Point, Queens; Santiago, Cuba"
    (October 31, 2012)
    Particularly
    • Floods, Fires, and Sturdy Masonry
  • "Fasting, Penance: and Infinite Depths of Joy"
    (June 3, 2012)
    Particularly
    • "Sing for Joy to the Living God"
    • God, Rain, and Me
  • "Being Catholic on Memorial Day Weekend"
    (May 27, 2012)
    Particularly
    • Patriotism, Citizenship
  • "Compassion, Apathy, and This Catholic"
    (June 5, 2011)
    Particularly
    • (Real) Apathy? Not a Good Idea
  • "Pride, It's Not Just a Group of Lions"
    (November 7, 2010)
    Particularly
    • Pride, Cursing God, and Other Bad Ideas
• Emotions
  • "Evangelization, Belief, and the Common Cold"
    (September 30, 2012)
  • " 'Religious People aren't Reasonable?' "
    (December 18, 2011)
    Particularly
    • Religion as an Emotional High?
  • "You think You had a Bad Day? Elijah, Jezebel, and a Reality Check"
    (January 16, 2011)
  • "Becoming Catholic for Reasons, Leaving Because of Feelings"
    (August 5, 2010)
  • "Really 'Spiritual' Experiences: Those are Okay"
    (April 22, 2010)
    Particularly
    • Rational Religion: No Kidding
    • Getting High on Jesus, Rousing Revivals and the Dark Night of the Soul