Every year around July, it seems, Tyne asks for my Harvest of Thanks commentary. I’m joking, but to plan that broadcast, many pieces must fall into place early on. Ideally, the segment is shot on a picture-perfect autumn day, but this year our weather went from trying to keep cool in the grain trucks to chilly, gray and wet almost overnight. We’re usually still harvesting or doing other fall work when the real deadline approaches. Consequently, I typically miss the picturesque golden background. Getting done by Thanksgiving is an ancient and anxious goal for farmers, making deep thinking harder than usual prior to completion. Additionally, I may have run into the classic pastor’s dilemma. I once asked my pastor what his biggest challenge was, and he replied, “The Easter sermon. What hasn’t been said?”
When I scanned back through my remarks from the past few years for this occasion, I noticed something slightly different about this year. While I know the world has not overcome all the struggles we have been facing, this year they seem a little less ominous. Or maybe I’ve slowly adapted to the stresses of our times. Certainly, I have acquired new habits to improve my chances of happiness.
For example, I’m more selective in what I read. I am at ease with less contact with others, except a precious few. After hating it for years, I look forward to my modest exercise regimen, even just walking. I’ve come to accept my physician is not just there to nag me but is sincerely trying to help. With initiative that surprised me and those around me, I’ve added more history, biographies and economics to my reading list in place of space operas, and I reduced my TV time so I can actually read them. I’m a little more grateful for the mundane and for what used to be boring tasks in my life such as yard work; cleaning my work areas, which seem to clutter themselves while I sleep; and communicating with you every week and readers several times a year. I think I’m in danger of slipping into contentment, after a lifetime of restless ambition.
So when a time for reflection like Thanksgiving arrives, I think of moments I used to consider boring pauses or relentless drudgery between exciting life events. This may seem sad or unambitious to many of you, but I’m thankful for such unexpected, and probably undeserved, moments of peace in my life.
