An organization's fitness to compete successfully depends on its social capital-the collective value of people who know each other and what they'll do for each other.

Re-Sources Organizational Support Newsletter

Thanksgiving in Canada - 2002

PDF Version

John Kenneth Gailbraith is a World famous Canadian economist. One of his early and important ideas had to do with poverty. Basically the idea boils down to this: what is poverty in one family, or community, or country might seem like wealth to someone else living somewhere else. Imagine living in Afghanistan right now in a bombed out part of Kabul. Or closer to home in any number of communities. But let's be real, for many of us, much of the time though, we don't give thanks or feel wealthy for what we have. Instead we think about what we don't have. – Cheryl Crowe is a famous singer/songwriter. I'm not sure if she knew Gailbraith but she had an idea that boiled down to a song entitled SOAK UP THE SUN: "I don't have digital / I don't have diddly squat / It's not having what you want / It's wanting what you've got."

I don't know about you but I want a loaded Audi A6 to drive to work and a new Honda Pilot for family trips. What do you want? I don't really like driving an 85 Toyota with silicon caulking on the roof of the car to keep out the rain. Who likes driving a rusty old car? Even if it is paid for and the repair costs are minimal. New stuff makes me feel good. What about you? Unfortunately the good feeling doesn't last nearly as long as the payments do. What about you? If you're like me there is a voice inside of your head that wants new stuff. Like the person-eating-plant Audrey II in the movie / musical Little Shop of Horrors it calls out, louder and louder: "FEED ME!... FEED ME!... FEED ME!

We found this text in a Maranatha Daywatch posting for Thanksgiving Day, 2000. We are not too certain about how some of the numbers were derived, but even if they are only partly true, the message is still valid and a reminder of what we have.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than the one million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world today.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death... you are more blessed than three billion people on this earth.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of the World's population.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the World's wealthy.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder... you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.