{Belleville street art - Paris, France}
Though it's been shamelessly commercialized, each year I am touched at how much my favorite holiday elicits giving and gratitude as it should. While pondering my “thankful list” yesterday, it occurred to me I may never understand its breadth. I’ve had my fair share of struggles and setbacks, but in the grand scheme of life, I've suffered very little. Then I read this New York Times article:“While we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember that the difference between being surrounded by a loving family or being homeless on the street is determined not just by our own level of virtue or self-discipline, but also by an inextricable mix of luck, biography, brain chemistry and genetics.”This compassion and empathy (or lack thereof) Nicholas Kristof discusses is “a mark of civilization” unfortunately being lost in the United States. On a policy level, it’s a concept we could borrow from our European neighbors. Scandinavian countries may provide the best examples: "modern social democratic states where wealth is more evenly distributed, education is typically free up through university, and the social safety net allows women to comfortably work and raise a family.” As individuals, we could be kinder, too. I urge you to read this viral essay. So much of the reality she speaks of is chilling, but the “we will never feel hopeful," struck me especially. I immediately and without intention thought to the plague of endless possibilities that keep me up night with anxiety far too often. Are they not what lets me be grateful and give? They should be. If nothing else then for the fact that expressions of gratitude make us feel socially valued. And everyone deserves at least that much. Post-Thanksgiving food for thought, I suppose. Hope your holiday was happy and full :).
