Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot.  Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.
-Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

I picked this day before Thanksgiving to focus again on a goal I wrote down at the beginning of the year:  To be “occupied with gladness of heart.”

I’m a journal-er and a planner.  At any time, I can look back and read where I’ve been; and I get all excited about trying to figure out what’s coming next in life.  But spending the bulk of my time focusing on either will cause me to miss what’s happening right now.

And if I get into the habit, I could lose a lot of “nows” before I realize it.  Once gone, there’s no getting them back.  Enough wise people I respect have told me that. 

So as I prep the turkey for tonight’s dinner with my side of the family and execute on all the details I set in motion weeks ago, I’m keeping both my literal and my mental cameras close at hand.  I can’t promise that I won’t “reflect on the days of my life” at all, but in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am reminding myself of how much I have for which to be grateful today.   It’s enough to keep my mind and my heart full!