Again we arrive at the first of the multiple annual holidays celebrated throughout the remainder of the old year and kicking off the new one. Appropriately enough it begins with the common denominator of Thanksgiving—that transcends all racial, cultural and religious boundaries.
Also appropriate is that the tradition began in America, the world’s newest nation that still has far more to be thankful for than any of those superior to it in age. We should therefore be cognizant of the fact that, “In no other country is the promise of organic unity more immediately demonstrable than the United States because it is a microcosm of the diverse populations of the earth!”
Consider that this American nation is less than 300 years of age- among those thousands of years old. Consider also the Revelation of Baha’u’llah, (Whom Bahai’s believe to be God’s Manifestation for this New Era in the ongoing history of mankind) is less than 200 years old. Yet there are innumerable collections of Holy Writings available to mankind to date from the three Central Figures of the Baha’i Faith as they relate to the times and exigencies of the past—and especially to this New Era–applicable to all religions. Among them is a book titled The Divine Art of Living from which we have chosen to explore Perfecting the art of Divine Living.
The writings assert, “All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization…Having gone through the stages of infancy and turbulent adolescence, humanity is now approaching maturity, a stage that will witness the reconstruction and the demilitarization of the whole civilized world…Yet this promise remains largely unrealized even here in America because of the endemic racism that, like a cancer, is corroding the vitals of the nation.”
Thanksgiving Day is the one national holiday that diverts attention to being more cognizant (and appreciative) of the things and especially the people in our lives that may otherwise get submerged in our day-to-day priorities. It is also the one day that most families will gather together at the same dinner table–once a daily tradition in families of old.
With the constant advancement of technology, however, the primary focus on Thanksgiving has shifted to parades and football with the children and youth engaged in their respective favorite activities. Commercialization of the holidays has also taken its toll of ingratitude for our current innumerable blessings and possessions while flooding the markets with new items and technology that draw long lines awaiting store openings.
Along with this natural attraction to holiday hype, however, may we remember to ask in our attitude adjustment attempt, compared to what? Not so much to how good we want things to be, but rather to how much worse things could be. May we need not be reminded, “There, but for God, go I,” but, in the words of my mother’s favorite Bible passage: “Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” ~Phil. 4:11.
Here we find another word fast becoming non-exist in modern society’s vocabulary, “respect,” being taught neither by word nor example. This very critical virtue, as with all others, must be taught at earliest age by both to be most effective, starting with self-respect. In the words of William Shakespeare, “It will then follow, as the night the day, thou cannot then be false (or disrespectful) to anyone.”.. nor of the property or possessions of others.
As we gather at this year’s Thanksgiving table may we be reminded of these two key words in perfecting the art of Divine living (appreciation and respect) and vow to teach both (by word and example) to those with whom we come in contact throughout the year—one day at a time.
~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING ~
