Gratitude When the Going Gets Tough
November brings thoughts of Thanksgiving.
What are we grateful for?
It’s easy to say family, friends, our home, having food on the table. What happens when we change our view and look at the things we might not consider as something to be grateful for?
For example, we had a fire at our temple in 2022. The fire wiped out our basement and its contents. Smoke damage permeated the main floor rooms, hondo and onaijin. Such an event doesn’t seem like anything to be grateful for. However, as we look around our temple today, we see upgrades andrenovations that have made this temple a building to be proud of. These projects were needed, but would have been put off for the future. We can be grateful for the disaster clean-up crews, contractors, donors, volunteers, and Mike Iseri. Out of the disaster rises a reinvigorated temple.
Another example is that I had a series of unfortunate events during the last month. I am going to try to find something to be grateful for amidst the chaos. Hopefully my attempts will help you to find bits of sunshine in times of negativity. As I was driving from Nampa to Boise, I had a tire blow out. I didn’t experience any loss of control of my car (which I am grateful for), but I heard a strange thumping sound. I made my way across a couple lanes of traffic to the right shoulder and parked my car. Since it was rush hour on I-84, I was reluctant to get out to check the tire. Luckily, I had my cellphone so I called Boise Police Department non-emergency dispatch and was transferred to Idaho State Police dispatch. The state trooper arrived, checked the tire and then asked about a spare tire. Unfortunately, many new cars don’t have spare tires either because of lack of storage space or to reduce the weight of the car.
So, I had to call a tow truck. My first call was not answered. The second call was an hour wait. Luckily, the first company called back and headed my way. In the meantime, my husband, Bob, arrived to wait with me. The tow truck arrived and took the car to a tire store whichwas open for another hour (lucky!). They had the needed tire, however, since my car is all-wheel drive and two of the other tires were worn, I needed to replace all four tires. Despite the unfortunate situation, I am grateful to ISP, the tow truck driver, the tire store, having four new tires, and my husband. I was reassured and felt comforted because of the actions of all these people.The same reassurance came with my other unfortunate events. Soon after I had the blown tire, I managed to trip on an uneven sidewalk.
But then the week after, I was rear-ended on I-84 on my way to Nampa. I am grateful that I didn’t hit my head or break my nose. My car wasn’t seriously damaged in the rear-ender, and I wasn’t injured. These accidents have made me more mindful of where I walk and how I drive, and I am grateful to know there are so many people around that truly do care.
Gratitude can be easy, and we can find things to be grateful for all around us every day.
However, the real test is being able to have gratitude in the face of adversity. In the current climate that we find ourselves in, it is important that we keep looking for things that we can be grateful for—sunshine, blue skies, autumn colors, Halloween trick-or-treaters in their costumes, family and friends gathered around a table. We don’t ignore the chaos. We acknowledge it, but we don’t let it consume us. We look for ways to be grateful.
Enjoy a wonderful fall. Find something to be grateful for each day.
NAMO AMIDA BUTSU
Rev. Kathy