[Years ago I worked for a local chamber of commerce and wrote a similarly themed piece as appears below – with some topical revisions – for the November newsletter one year. It’s still relevant today whether we’re part of a community of commerce seeking success, a geographical community of neighbors and citizens, a nation facing challenges ahead, or a community of gamers.]
“We
count our miseries carefully and accept our blessings without much
thought.”
– Chinese
Proverb
* * *
It’s easy in these anxious times to succumb to the worrisome hype and fear of the unknown, the unsettling feeling that our lives might descend into hardship, sacrifice, and loss. We should resist the urge to complain and instead embrace the challenges before us by considering solutions to problems and stepping up to improve our own lives and those of others less fortunate.
All too often we take for granted the many things we do have. Gamers enjoy an engaging, dedicated community of players, creators, professionals, and friends who realize their combined well-being – and that of the adventure gaming hobby – is just as important as their individual strengths. Whether we’re part of a small circle of gaming friends or a greater community through online interaction or conventions, each new contact is more than a chance to improve our own gaming life; it offers an opportunity to enrich someone else’s.
In this season of thanksgiving – on the eve of the season of light-within-the-darkness – let us reflect on the many gifts we enjoy, both simple and extravagant, and commit to investing some of those in making our world a more positive place for our neighbors in need everywhere. Many local and online institutions strive year-round to help the community; they rely on donations of time and money from volunteers to continue their mission to help those in need. Are you seeking opportunities to make a positive difference in our community this holiday season? Thanksgiving and the holidays come once a year; but we should remember to always remain grateful for our blessings and continually seek to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
* * *
“In
ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more
than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes
rich.”
– Dietrich
Bonhoeffer
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