Oh Irving....

It is almost Thanksgiving!!!! I am so excited. I don't know what you are doing for turkey day, but I hope that you have a great time doing it. As for me, I will be feasting with 30 of my closest friends and family at my Aunt and Uncle's house. I will also be doing a creative presentation on the history of Thanksgiving. Don't be jealous, my family is just obviously that cool.
Creative presentations aside, I am so looking forward to wearing some of my comfiest/cutest clothes, eating delicious food, and communing with my favorite people while we reflect on all the blessings in our lives. Just by that day I will be truly blessed.

Anyway, the title of this post says it all. Granted, I borrowed the line from the ever-eloquent Irving Berlin. But I find it to be so true. The world we are living in is such a volatile place- it's ever shifting, ego-centric, scary place. And there are a lot of days that I find myself lamenting the state of things and feeling helpless and angry that I can't change it. I can't grab people by the shoulders and shake them to their senses, and even if I could what right do I have? I don't have all the answers.


What I do know is this: I just deleted a whole rant about people and how disappointing they are when it comes to social causes. And I am really glad I did. Because I got to the end of it and I realized something.
I didn't feel any better.
I was just as bad as the rest of them if I wasn't willing to do more than just write a post on a blog that no one follows.
I am disgusted at the self-centeredness of our society, but am, at the same time, defining it so perfectly with my own egocentric rantings about others. How others need to take a stand, need to shut up and stand up. But how dare I accuse them of doing exactly what I just was.

That is what makes me so sad about America- because at the end of the day I am just as guilty as the rest. And perhaps that's why we are turned around right now- because we have been relying too long on others to get up and go for us when what we really need is to do it ourselves.
That is when real change will happen. That is when real good will prevail.

So today, instead of ranting about schools and politics and welfare, I choose to focus on what I have to be thankful for. I have a loving family, a job, great friends, always enough to eat, a car and money to put gas in it. I have freedom to go anywhere and do anything I can dream of. I have the right to post what I think online without fear or persecution or imprisonment. I can "grow up" to be whatever I want to be. Most of all, I am saved and cherished by a God who loves me, good days and bad, and has a plan for me and my life. He even loved me (and you!) enough to send his own son to the death to pay the price set on my head from the day I was born.

I am truly blessed. And I bet you are too. Even on your worst day, there is always a silver lining. What do you have to be thankful for today, and everyday?


Also, for those of you, my non-existent followers, that would love some crafty updates, just hold on a few more days. My mom and I are making cards AND decorations this weekend, and I promise to keep you informed! Here is a sneak peek of what we've already done a test run on... :-)

It's a trifold card! And it still fits in a regular envelope. Looks complicated, was so easy. Just make sure you're wearing your patient cap when it's time to cut out all the precisely measured pieces. You can find the tutorial we used here, from the blog "Busy With The Cricky."


Have a great Thanksgiving folks! I am thankful for you :-)