Instead of posting anything specifically legal this week, I thought I would share some thoughts on Thanksgiving, which Abraham Lincoln made a federal holiday in 1863. If you ever want to review a prior newsletter, I've got them archived on our website. Thanksgiving is a single day, but it reinforces that having a grateful attitude is a key to personal wellbeing. You might get annoyed by that question, "What are you thankful for this year?" but sifting through the lousy news and identifying a blessing is a skill that can carry you a long way. As a starting point, realizing that we aren't actually entitled to any comfort or benefit makes it easier to take stock of the good things that you and I have which we can share and pass on to others. 
 

I am thankful that I live and work in Vidalia, Georgia, in the United States of America, in 2022, rather than any other place or time in history. It's not perfect, but I wouldn't trade it, and I believe it's where God intended me to be right now. I am also thankful for all of the people who came before us, toughed it out, and dealt with more harsh conditions than us to enable us to live today and fight today's battles.  I hope you feel the same about wherever you are in your journey. We seem to live in a culture where the sentiment is that we should complain about everything, but I don't see the benefit in that. Content people find something to be grateful for, even in tough times. My favorite Bible passage related to gratefulness is from James 1:2-3, in which James writes, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." You can't control everything that happens, but two of the things you can control are how you view  your circumstances in a larger context and how you react to the circumstances around you. Viewing one's circumstances with a grateful attitude puts one in a better position to persevere and do life well, often helping future generations beyond what we can see.

Enjoy your time with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

And if you get a chance, watch a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving with your folks. Snoopy and Woodstock host a fine Thanksgiving dinner of toast, popcorn, and jellybeans. It's hard not to enjoy!