Finneran: Notes From My Gratitude Journal

Friday, April 10, 2015

Tom Finneran, GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

I had never heard of a “gratitude journal” until about two weeks ago. Diaries I had heard of, of course. Journals as well, usually kept by gardeners, beekeepers, birdwatchers, fishermen, meteorologists, and all sorts of other active hobbyists. But a gratitude journal? I had not heard the phrase before although clearly there are multiple matters which regularly cross my mind and for which I am profoundly grateful.

Let’s start with life itself, my life, your life, our families’ lives. Three successive Popes have spoken gently but powerfully about a growing culture of death, a degradation and devaluation of humanity itself, warning us that the consequences of our indifference skew the essential moral order. I cannot weigh in on theological matters but it seems a matter of fundamental principle that a true appreciation for life, a deep gratitude if you will, is the necessary DNA for human progress. I choose to err, as err I will, on the side of life. Yes, life itself tops my gratitude journal. Cherish life.

Family. Family matters. Greatly. I won’t indulge clichés. Suffice it to say that my wife, my children, and my grandchildren are the greatest joys I have ever known. How does one measure boundless gratitude? Even when their group antics drive you crazy……………..LOL.

Freedom. Freedom matters. Greatly. And the fact that we have it, as a matter of course here in North America does not render it any less significant. Many millions of people over many thousands of years have died while longing to taste of freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association---all are inestimable blessings unknown to far too many people. There’s an irony here worth noting. Our freedoms are essentially negative freedoms, protecting us from a bullying arrogant government—i.e.—“Congress shall make no laws………..”. Our Founders were frightened by what they had seen in other forms of government and wanted to take no chances on embracing an overbearing intrusive government. Their fear was real. Yet the need for a strong national government was then and is now also readily apparent. How else to deal with foreign nations? How else to deal with slavery? How else to deal with war? I pray that we can find the right balance between snooping and surveillance and security, holding freedom dear.

Health. Health matters. Greatly. Perhaps to the distress of some readers I am just back from my annual physical exam. I have much to be grateful for. Weight, blood pressure, fitness, vitals, all that stuff are tiptop which apparently suggests that I’ll be around for a while. Pity you. Yet my wife and I have dear friends, neighbors, and relatives who are really struggling with some serious health issues. And as we age we know that we will see and personally experience more and more challenges to our own wellbeing. Strange isn’t it that it seems to take the illness of a friend or loved one to begin to truly appreciate the good health that we enjoy? Talk about taking things for granted………………………………

Eccentrics. Eccentrics matter. Greatly. Here I speak of characters, life’s great characters who bring so much life and juice and meaning to our plodding efforts. Think of authors, teachers, priests, musicians, cooks, actresses, public leaders, scientists, inventors……………….and not just Meryl Streep or Steve Jobs or Winston Churchill. Or Einstein, Beethoven, or LBJ. Sure they were all eccentric. As was your math or Latin or English teacher when she captured your imagination and ignited your potential. Or your parish priest who understood your questions and opened your eyes and mind to a better world and a better way. A little eccentric? Yes, for sure. As well as indispensable spice to the stew of our lives. Gotta love those eccentrics……………they too have a place in my gratitude journal.

Tom Finneran is the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, served as the head the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and was a longstanding radio voice in Boston radio.