The end of a decade is upon us and as I look back over the past 10 years I would say that I accomplished quite a bit (especially considering that 10 years equates for nearly half of my existence).

Starting off, I survived Y2K. That’s a pretty big deal. And from there on out I obtained my driver’s license and subsequently had my first accident, established my relationship with God, had my second and third car accident and subsequently learned the value of safe driving habits, graduated high school, bought my first lotto ticket and subsequently learned the importance of financial responsibility, graduated college, secured my first real job, bought my first car that wasn’t older than I was, met my future wife and subsequently got married and subsequently lost my virginity, bought my first brand new car (thanks to Cash for Clunkers) and subsequently obtained my first car payment and subsequently learned how content I can be driving a used vehicle.

All of that and more in the last ten years. So, what have you done?

The Thanksgiving weekend has got me thinking about things that I am thankful for and how little I actually express thanks for them. I would say that I live a life more of “thankstaking” than I do of thanksgiving.

Now, I know that “thankstaking” isn’t a real word, so let me define it for you:

thanks·tak·ing [thangks-tey-king]:
1. the act of taking benefits or favors for granted that one would verbally admit they were grateful for.

I know that the definition is a little rough, but work with me. There are a number of things that I would say I am thankful for if someone were to ask me, “What are some things that you are thankful for”? I would respond, “Oh, my health, my job, my wife, my friends, my family, etc.” But you would be hard pressed to find much evidence for my case by the way I live my life.

For instance, let’s take a look at my health. I exercise maybe once a week and only eat healthy when my wife is watching. I’d say I’m thankful for my health, but if I really valued it I would make a better effort to maintain it.

Now, we all have the gift of life given to us by God, and I would say that we can all be very thankful for that. But do our lives express it? Is there evidence that we are grateful to God for the life he’s blessed us with? Or do we take the benefit of life and and get all that we can out of it for ourselves instead of giving it back to God?

I know for me, I’m going to try to change my lifestyle from one of thankstaking to one of thanksgiving… Now, where did I put those leftovers.