Well, this is officially my first post on my first blog. Today is Canadian Thanksgiving, and once again we're all being dutifully reminded to be thankful. Many will say grace today or tomorrow (depending on which day your family sits down together), and some will even give some thought to the origins of the day.

As I think about Thanksgiving, and struggle in my own way to be a little more thankful then usual, I'm struck by the need to live thankfully, as though each day, pleasurable or painful sensation, and each opportunity to act out of kindness were a gift. A friend of mine was sharing in our faith community this morning that the opposite of thankfulness is envy. I hear what he's saying, but I think that the polar opposite to thankfulness is actually the feeling of entitlement. When we feel we are owed something, there is no need to be thankful when we have it. We feel possessive about our entitlements, and justified in demanding them. Entitlement is one of the great mechanisms that come into play with consumerism. A good advert will make you feel as though you DESERVE that $60 000 SUV. You DESERVE to have a hi-def flat widescreen television with 5.1 surround sound re-enforcement.

Let's take a step back and realise that we are *owed* nothing in this life. All is a gift. Even when you feel pain, it means that you are still alive. I don't say this tritely, it's been tested. Today, while I am thankful for friends, family and reasonably good health, I am fundamentally thankful the goodness of God. This great Spirit is obligated to give us nothing, yet lavishes the gifts of life and free will, and gives us the means to celebrate through every joy and every suffering we may encounter along the way.