Give Thanks for Our Blessings, Big and Small

Tom Purcell on Nov 16, 2021

It comes easily to the young as they frolic. We forget that we don’t do enough of it as adults — until we gather with our childhood friends and enjoy many much-needed belly laughs.

Now more than ever we need more belly laughing in America to disrupt our seriousness and political anger, which is resulting in a narrow understanding of current events and our fellow human beings.

Freedom of speech is certainly one of the biggest things we Americans should be grateful for at Thanksgiving — and every day — but it's something too many of our fellow citizens are trampling on.

We all need to renew our understanding of the importance of free speech and why it’s so crucial to a civil, well-functioning and clearer-thinking republic.

In any event, whether it's for something as large as free speech or as small as pizza, giving thanks for our blessings is good for our health, according to the Harvard Health Publishing. Gratitude makes us happy.

Which is why we must go out of our way to embrace it this Thanksgiving.

Tom Purcell is an author and humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Email him at Tom@TomPurcell.com.