Blessings

Sorry for the long time between posts -- it's just that crazy time of year.

It's also that time of year when we are all encouraged to think about all the blessings in our lives.  I think the song from White Christmas says it best:

If you're worried and you can't sleep/
Just count your blessings instead of thinking about all the junk you could buy that will bring you neither emotional nor spiritual fulfillment/
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.

Okay, so maybe the actual song was more poetic, but I think my version is more applicable to our world today, or at least to the topic of high-speed debt reduction.

So often we are focused outside ourselves -- what is out there that we can buy which will make us happier, more fulfilled?  We go buy something, and all too soon any good feelings from the purchase are gone, lost until we buy the next Good Thing.

Problem is, we will always feel that sense of loss and dissatisfaction until we learn to be grateful for the blessings we already have in our lives.  When we do, the most amazing thing happens -- not only do any new purchases we make fulfill us, but we feel less of a need to buy them in the first place, as what we already have is enough for our happiness.

As you look at your Christmas gifts, appreciate what you were given, instead of focusing on what you didn't receive.  As you make your way into the world to take advantage of those after-Christmas sales or to use those gift cards you received, think of what you already have in your life, and whether those new potential purchases will really make your life better or not.  Be grateful for what you have, because what you don't have will never fill the emptiness in your life.