Patheos

BuddhistCatholicContemplativeEvangelicalGeneral ChristianHinduJewishLatter-day SaintMuslimNew VisionsProgressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Patheos

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

chocolateforyourbrain

Everything is Available Now, Nothing is Available Later

Last updated on: November 5, 2021 at 8:34 am   by Sherry Antonetti

Everything is Available Now, Nothing is Available Later 2021-11-05T08:34:34-04:00 Sherry Antonetti

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

INSERT PICTURE OF ANNOYING SALES PERSON SAYING BUY NOW OR RUIN ALL HOLIDAYS FOREVER WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY HERE.

If there’s a theme to November television, it’s buy now or regret forever.  The commercials are convinced we will be dueling over dented cans of beans and oversized packages of white tennis socks if we don’t order everything for Christmas now now now now now now NOW.     The world wants all the trappings of Christmas and trimmings of Thanksgiving without the work, sacrifice, thought, yes, hassle that come from thinking of someone other than one’s self –the world wants a feast that required no effort, yet somehow satisfies on a sublime level.  It’s rather like those Food Network judges that are always searching for something other than what they are tasting.  Everything is found wanting, unless it has already been acquired.  It feels like a dull appetite at best, boring for all eternity if one allows one’s self to be swept up in the craziness of it all.

So for November, I will be spending it giving thanks to try and remind myself and if possible, the world, of why we bother with all of this in the first place.  Gratitude builds joy, and our spiritual muscles as a nation have grown slack.  We’ve learned to find all the faults, and to find the whole wanting because of the faults to the point of not recognizing, people still risk everything to come here.  Yes, things should be worked on, so that the world can be better, so that we will be better, but we should still be thankful for all the blessings of here.

Part of this project is personal.  For years, I ran Small Success Thursday, and it acted as a spiritual anchor, that made sure I didn’t let a week pass without noting the victories (small and big) that happened.  When I stopped that practice, I also stopped marking the time in a way that allowed for many little victories to be forgotten.   So I’m restarting today.   It’s Friday, so I will start today as Reflection Friday, to mark the little things that should not be lost.

This week’s victories included:
1) Getting to the doctors for regular check up.
2) Son filled out common app for two colleges so far.
3) Trick-or-treating with children was fun.
4) got a visit in with a friend.
5) daughter is starting to be more pro-active in her academics.
6) husband and I have movie tickets for next week –so a date night to enjoy in the works.

There are others but these are the ones I want to highlight.
I’ve had grading and been ill this week, so writing’s taken it on the chin.  Will try to get back to doing the writer staple of 500 words a day, whether or not they’re published starting today.

P.S. Don’t forget to pray for the deceased this month.   They will be the first to greet us when we are so blessed as to arrive.   This too, is a practice of gratitude, because it is a gift to those who wait in joyful hope, and something we hope to experience when we die.   Be thankful for everything.    Happy November.  Enjoy the fall and the moment.  It’s a lot less stress than thinking, if I don’t act now, all  is lost.

Planned to have a lovely fall shot to close this piece, but PEXEL and I are not on speaking terms, so nothing is uploading. IMAGINE LOVELY FALL LEAVES HERE and SIP SOMETHING COMFORTING AND WARM.

Not an Apologist

Reflection Friday

thankful

Previous Post



November 2, 2021

Today is the First Day

Next Post



November 6, 2021 Going to the Well, Admitting I'm Thirsty


Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent Answered Prayers Blessed Mother Confirmation Devotion of the Sacred Heart Doctors of the Church Easter Family Humor family life Good Friday Growing up Healing Holy Spirit taps Lent Love in the little things Mary Undoer of Knots Not an Apologist Parenting Sacred Heart of Jesus Saint Therese of Lisieux Sin Small Success Saturday Teaching others and myself Uncategorized Waiting Writing Year of Saint Joseph

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021


Follow Us!

Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter



TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which short letter urges forgiveness for a runaway slave named Onesimus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jude Philemon 2 Timothy Titus

Related posts from Chocolate For Your Brain!

Family

Where Did My Words Go?

Chocolate For Your Brain!

Family

What We Must Do Going Forward

Chocolate For Your Brain!

Family

To Olympics, Vacation, and Outrage

Chocolate For Your Brain!

Family

Eight Ways, It's Not Too Late, to Grow...

Chocolate For Your Brain!

TRENDING AT PATHEOS Catholic

Methodist Central Hall and Westminster Abbey

Situated on the same square is Methodist Central Hall and Westminster Abbey. ...

57th Dove Awards Honor Dolly Parton, Crown New...

On gospel music’s biggest night, the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards honored...

The First Eucharistic Controversy: Christ’s Real Presence

For Catholics, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian...

What a Stop Sign Can Teach Us About...

How to Make a Decision When You Can't Hear God Main point:...

Archdiocese Hosts Military Marriage Retreat in Germany

RASTATT, Germany — The transient military lifestyle, with its frequent deployments and...

Minted in God's Image

Nearly every morning, I make the drive to Detroit with my high-school-age...

view all Catholic blogs

Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Copyright 2008-2026, Patheos. All rights reserved.

Subscription Support Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In

Follow Patheos Patheos on Facebook Patheos on YouTube