Share Your Thanks

 “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

— John F. Kennedy

Americans fuss a lot over Thanksgiving: making plans, buying groceries, traveling to visit friends or family, preparing a huge meal, watching parades and football games. Like many holidays we focus our efforts on the one day, celebrate, and move on (often to the next holiday, if we haven’t already started). Sure, we take a moment to contemplate the Thanksgiving message and meaning, but then we get back to our lives, careening out of control along daily capitalist drudgery, packed schedules, overwhelming anxieties, and desperately stumbling along through everything the world throws at us. We like sitting around the table with our guests talking about the things for which we’re thankful; but our gratitude can go so much farther...and should, to help make this reality just slightly more bearable. Throughout the year reach out and send a kind word to the folks who enrich your life.

It’s easier to do this in our insulated friend and family groups. We invite people over for shared meals and games at the table. We attend holiday gatherings where, amid the small talk, we try to forge greater bonds with others. Reaching beyond our secure social spaces can help us spread gratitude where we might not always realize it’s deserved. Certainly we can do this in the course of our everyday activities. Simply being grateful for our positive interactions with others deserves note: a pleasant “thank-you” to the cashier at the store; stepping up to help someone we see in need; a smile, nod, wave, or tip of the hat to a passerby; some patience on the roads and in the parking lots (especially this time of year when drivers seem like they’re in some Mad Max live action roleplaying game). At the very least we can try maintaining polite and civil attitudes dealing with others, despite our own moods or the particular situation.

Although we should strive to demonstrate thankfulness face-to-face in everyday life, we can also extend our reach to the many online relationships that enrich our lives. The internet has — despite numerous ills — helped us connect with others around the world, often sharing elements of our lives we enjoy or admire...including adventure gaming. In many cases social media platforms provide a place where we can offer thanks to those who affect positive change in our lives throughout the year.

My exposure to new ideas and interaction with others has enriched my life. Online contacts introduced me to new games, books, experiences, perspectives, and ideas. My contacts keep me up-to-date with news of industry colleagues and friends, photos of people’s games and travels, opportunities to live vicariously through others and celebrate their accomplishments. I learn of new releases and book tours from my favorite authors (as well as a host of new book recommendations), new games that cater to my interests. I hear about evolving developments in gaming, from serious wargaming professionals, gaming academics, creators and publishers, and those, on many levels, pushing the bounds of our understanding and enjoyment of adventure games. Maybe I find something that diverts me for a moment and brings a smile to my face amid all the world’s woes; other times I discover something new worth exploring on my own.

Occasionally I’ve found some meaningful engagement that enriched my life or, better yet, gave me some small satisfaction of uplifting someone else. My online circles might not extend very far or consist of thousands of people, but “liking” and “sharing” — especially with an encouraging comment — can offers some small support and spread the word to those who might appreciate it, too. If you appreciate a creator’s work and are are financially able, buy their stuff, drop them a tip, help support them; but promoting folks you like online doesn’t cost anything and can make a difference to those who don’t experience a lot of positive feedback

It may not seem like much. But to many, a kind word can make a huge difference just getting through the trials of the day.

I hope you, dear reader, find your holidays filled with a spirit of thankfulness at the goodness in your life. That you have the time and means to gather with those who mean the most to you, around the table for food and perhaps some games and good fellowship. That, as we careen into the end of the year, you find a little spark of light to sustain you in this season of darkness. That when in need you find sustenance, support, encouragement, and relief. And that, when you have the means and opportunity, you share your bounty with those in need...especially in these troubled times when the world’s turmoil has inordinately disrupted people’s lives

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.”

— John Milton

Postscript

Most years I opine about the winter holidays of Thanksgiving and yuletide; they’re among the least-read of my missives each year. Those seeking those saccharine sentiments on thankfulness can look back at this post from a few years ago where, buried toward the end, they’ll find further links to my past Thanksgiving messages.