I really enjoy our Thanksgiving gatherings of family and friends, and partially because it’s a holiday that is not about shopping. It is more about getting together with family and friends and doing what most people love to do. That is to consume mass quantities of food, then either watch TV or take a nap.

Now that 2017 is almost in the record books I find myself reflecting on how things in the world have changed and how many things have not. I was taught from an early age that personal responsibility was a normal part of life. Because of that conditioning my family and I should be consistently improving those things that improve our self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

The harsh reality in life is there is only so much that I, as an individual, can do to influence what happens in the world. Instead my focus should be on those things that are within my power to change and improve that will have an impact on my family and myself.

Within my power I can make decisions on the type of job I seek, chose a money investment, decide where we live, to buy a newer automobile or to exercise today……. or not. I cannot make my home worth more than it is, make the gold bars or stock market shares I purchased go up in value. I can chose to see my doctor, dentist and eye doctor on a regular basis and follow their directions to try and stay healthy…. or not.

I cannot rid the planet of any disease like cancer or Alzheimer’s. Nor do I have the power to stop Terrorism, North Korea, or put term limits in place to rid our government of the crooked politicians within our government.

So, what can you or I do to try and improve our place in the world? In my opinion first is prayer. While I have been a Christian all my life, at best I have to admit a lazy one but I’m trying to improve a little each day. So may I offer this prayer.

Heavenly Father

Thank you for all the blessing you have given me, my family and my country for so many years. On this Thanksgiving, may God bless your home, the house in which we Americans live, and the world in which we reside. Please bless our service men and women who are serving our country, bless those veterans who have returned home and need help both physically and mentally, watch over our Police, Fire and EMS personnel and keep them safe.