How often have you heard the platitude that you should cultivate an attitude of gratitude? Many of us will nod our head in agreement when we hear those words and then continue on in our self-centered lives, firm in our conviction that we are independent and self-sufficient, and that all that we have is the result of our own efforts. Wikipedia describes a platitude in these words, “A platitude is a trite, meaningless, or prosaic statement, often used as a thought-terminating cliché, aimed at quelling social, emotional, or cognitive unease. The statement may be true, but its meaning has been lost due to its excessive use.”
In the United States, one day a year is set aside to give thanks, Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally Americans will gather around a table and before they eat, each person will be asked to name one thing for which they are thankful. Some people find it difficult to be put in that position.
Why is it so tough to be thankful? Our society bombards us with messages that we should never be satisfied with what we have and should always want more—we can easily be trapped into focusing on what we do not have rather than on what we do have.
Last night at a Zoom church service I heard again the words of Scripture that reminds us to give thanks “in everything.” In everything? Yes, we should be thankful in absolutely everything. The experience of the last nine months has caused me to reexamine a lot of things that I had previously taken for granted. All of the sudden I was increasingly thankful for essential workers, for fellow citizens who wore masks and stayed at home, for the food that was present on the almost empty shelves at the grocery stores, for my relative good health, and for the roof over my head.
As many of you know, I have been blessed to be able to continue to find refuge in nature and to share my photos and experiences in this blog. I recently noticed that I have done a posting every single day so far this year. I really want to all of you for your overwhelming support and encouragement, which has been one of the few constant factors in my life as the world around me has swirled out of control.
Whether you are in the United States or not, I hope that today you will pause for a least a few moments and reflect on those people and things for which you are truly thankful. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day 2020.
In case you are curious, I photographed this handsome Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) earlier this month at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Some people hunt wild turkeys, but the turkey that I will consume later today will be one that I purchased at the supermarket.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great photo, Mike. If I were a turkey, I’d be looking over my shoulder, too. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Day, Mike 😊
Nice shot, Mike. We would also be consuming a store bought bird…if it wasn’t still frozen. Oh well,we don’t often have a special Sunday dinner so that will be nice. Have a wonderful day.
I remembered to move mine from the freezer to refrigerator almost a week ago so it looks like it is thawed. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
When we bought ours it said to use of freeze by 11/30 but we were nervous about letting it sit so long so froze it. Took it out Saturday but 5 days wasn’t enough it appears. Next year we’ll take the package’s advice and just keep it refrigerated.
I don’t think David was talking about publishing blogs here, but it is fitting… Psalms 26:7 “That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.” Happy Thanksgiving! William
Great quote. I love reading the Psalms because they cover a wide range of human emotions, including wonder, depression, anger, and joy. Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and yours.
Beautiful post, and photo. I pray we never loose our thankfulness. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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Thanks, Mitzy. Have a wonderful thanksgiving day today too.
Beautiful post, Mike. I’m so thankful everyday. Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for sharing this truth! 🍁🦃
I never thought a turkey could look regal but your portrait has accomplished it. There is something of the peacock pose about this chap. I love the way you’ve captured those warm colours of the foliage and feathers.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike! I am thankful for your blog posts and for our interactions.
Thanks, Laura, for your kind words. Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and to your whole family. Recently I helped a fellow photographer with a portrait session and I was amazed at the degree that poses can help to emphasize or de-emphasize certain physical features. I think that the way that the turkey was looking back over its shoulder helped to make him look “regal,” and allowed us to view simultaneously his face and his beautiful tailfeathers.
Personally, I look forward to receiving your daily posting. Have a great day, my friend.
Happy Thanksgiving Mike! I enjoy your posts, keep it up! I do believe this turkey is very relieved that he won’t be on your table. 🙂
Excellent post, Mike. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Dan. Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving Mike !
Thanks. Have a wonderful day too.
You are such a blessing! I am thankful for Mike, Angie, Kathy, Emily, Jeff, Robert, Jesus, Lori, Jessica, Jason, oh so many more! Sairam, Breanna, Tiffany, Sarah. Not just one day, but EVERY day we should give thanks to the One Who keeps us!
Amen. “In everything give thanks, for this is will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” That is one verse that I memorized as a child and, because of that, I suspect that it is the KJV wording that I still can recite. 🙂
There is much to be thankful for every day of the year. I hope your turkey was tasty!
Happy Thanksgiving Mike. You have done well to post daily! Thank you for sharing your images and thoughts and for your weekly visits on sv-anui.com. I appreciate our interactions.
Thanks, Chris. I think we all benefit from this virtual community that we have established via our blogs and help to mutually support each other. For that, I am truly thankful.
You’ve put a lot of thought into this post, and it’s a wonderful one. On this occasion I’d like to convert Mavis Staples’ lyrics: Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears (from Hard Times Come Again No More) to: Let us pause in life’s trials to bless what we hold dear. Here in NEw Zealand we combine our traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas Day family dinner celebration into one, which we call Thanksmas. I order a free-range turkey a week in advance through our local, very competent butcher, and he procures us one from an organic farm of happy turkeys in the South Island. The one we had this year was the best ever.
Believe it or not, Gary, the posting was essentially a stream of consciousness type of posting. I did not know for sure what I was going to say until I sat down at the keyboard. I like your tradition of combining holidays–for me Thanksgiving tends to be the bigger feast food-wise.
Good for you, Mike to post every day! 😃 What a handsome looking turkey! 🦃 I enjoyed reading how nature comforts you too during these uncertain times.
Nice, thoughtful post, Mike. I believe being grateful calls more good into one’s life. I try to maintain an ‘attitude of gratitude’ since there is no ROI on negativity. 🙂 Hope your day was a good one!
Thanks, Eliza. I totally agree with your comment about negativity. I has a wonderful Thanksgiving with a married couple that make up the rest of my “pod.” I ate too much turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing earlier today and returned a while later for apple pie and coffee. There are lots of things to be thankful for today.
Glad to hear you’ve had a great Thanksgiving day and meal. I didn’t know about the tradition of taking turns to name something for which one is thankful but it seems a lovely thing to do! Being part of an active blogging community certainly is a blessing 🙂 Take care Mike.
Thanks, Liz.
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