The change lies with you...

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

It all starts with you. One of the things I remember when I feel myself or circumstances stagnating is this: Nothing changes if nothing changes.

When you make a decision to do something different, to be something different, to take a different attitude, and to create change, then that is exactly what happens.

We live in a world that is faltering on many a front. People are losing jobs, losing homes, losing livelihoods. If you are in the position to do something, do it. It's not the time to look the other way and hope that the economy will change, that someone else will help. Change starts with you. Even in small ways. Even if it means placing change in a Salvation Army kettle.

The world is imperfect, yes. But that does not mean it must continue to worsen before it gets better. In times of discontent, it was the small acts by people, acts that moved us forward, that made all the real difference. When people decide to put aside their differences and come together to find real solutions to problems that change was created.

It starts with one voice. It starts with you.

To be surrounded by family, my Thanksgiving wish for everyone.

Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,
From North and South, come the pilgrim and guest,
When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
The old broken links of affection restored,
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lips and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich pumpkin pie?
- John Greenleaf Whittier, "The Pumpkin"

There is something truly special about this holiday. It gathers us in ways that are remarkable and lend to some of the best memories of love one could hope to have.

Some of the most honored memories of my childhood are of the gatherings held at my grandparents home on Thanksgiving Day. We watched the Macy's Parade. We ate and ate and ate. We laughed and talked. We had fun. We were reminded that though we were often far apart, we were still together in spirit. We were reminded of the gift of family.

When you are surrounded by your loved ones this Thanksgiving Day, think of what life would be like if you were missing just one of its members. What if there were no family with which you could celebrate at all? The holiday would lack any glimmer. And life would seem less full.

Tomorrow, it is my sincere hope that everyone watches floats enter Times Square, hollers for their favored football team, eats a large meal, and most of all, enjoys the company of family. Be thankful of them.

Some will be gathering with strangers tomorrow. There are many who, tomorrow of all days, will be without their families, whether because they are fighting overseas or because dire circumstances has landed them in crowds of others less fortunate.

And if you can spare a few dollars, consider helping another get a meal as good as the one you will be sharing with your family. Many shelters and food pantries are strapped this holiday season. If you can spare even a little, maybe everyone will eat tomorrow.

Another day of thanks

See how many are better off than you are, but consider how many are worse. - Seneca

This year has been especially trying for Americans and the citizens of many other countries. The credit crunch, numbers of foreclosed homes, and the increased numbers of the unemployed - we hear more and more of these things on the news every day. You need only flip on CNN for a few moments and bad news of the economy comes flooding in.

Some of us are feeling the effects of these things more than others. To those who feel the fear of loss, I can only remind them to keep faith in a sound and happy future. And look to your neighbors, friends, others in your community. Are they worse off? Could they use even the smallest helping hand?

It's so easy to hand out blame during bad times. There are still multi-millionaires out there who can not only stand on their own two feet, but have surrounded themselves in lifestyles of luxury that many of us cannot even conceive of.

Still, for all that are better off than you are now, there are countless others out there who can be counted as having it so much worse. If you aren't worrying about what you can afford to eat tonight, then carry some canned items to a food pantry. If you have a roof over your head at night, consider dropping some change into the kettle that will ensure one for another.

If you still have so much to be thankful for, the ability to help someone else can only be added to that. And when there are times when you feel you have nothing to give, consider a smile or a word of encouragement. Sometimes, that is more than enough.