Greetings and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
It doesn't seem possible that Thanksgiving day has come and gone with all the preparation of cooking and baking to make our tables an abundant harvest from the earth. Mindful however of all those who waited in soup kitchen lines and shelters this year for a meal. Maybe they were first timers with their families who experienced a downturn financially and had no where to turn for a good Thanksgiving meal. We are lucky to have these places who serve so well the needy of our times. We thank God for those who donated their time, talent and treasure to help out.
I often think about the term 'Black Friday', and having a retail background , I know quite well it means; big dollars and cents for the retail industry. However, when I look at the people in the shelters, soup kitchen lines and food pantry lines these days,I can't help but think how many 'Black Fridays' they will experience which won't be of the material kind. I feel for all those who are having it so difficult. I pray for hope to dispel fear during these uncertain and anxious times.
Myself, I feel called to live on much less. I am disposing of all those things that I don't really need or want. I have made more trips to the Salvation Army boxes and Resettlement Refugee Donation Center. I feel free in knowing that I am sharing with others who are so less fortunate. It is a real good feeling!
What are your thoughts?
SP
2 comments:
As a person currently working in the retail world. I have mixed feelings about this year's "Black Friday". Yesterday was the slowest "Black Friday" I have seen in my 5 years in retail. On one hand it upsets me because poor sales means poor commission. On the other hand, I am happy to see that people are cutting out unnecessary "things" from their lives. Although it is upsetting that it took an economic crisis for people to realize that they CAN live without so many material items (myself included). I think that the good in all of this will perhaps result in the TRUE meaning of Christmas being remembered and reflected upon rather than the superficial one.
~GiuseppeBono
Yes, it is too bad that it took such a crisis to make us realize the important things in our lives and the values. But I do think this unfolding will make us a better people, better nation. Maybe things in time will be in balance for the next generations to come. In retailing I made my living for 10 years on commission. The 70's were good to me in retailing. I am sorry that this Black Friday fell short for you. However, the word that comes to mind is HOPE. This is the first day of Advent. Hope is calling to us and reaching out to us. All we have to do is listen. I hope the best for you! Thanks for your comment and let's continue the conversation.
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