Here are the rules: Everyone knows how this goes yet again. And it’s really simple. No need to link or google or even #Hashtag. Today, many around the country and in the household or other areas, we Americans will be celebrating that holiday of food called Thanksgiving. From the Parades to the NFL Games, Dog Shows, or other new traditional ideas that will boost the food day. And yes, there will be us going out to the clubs and shaking off the pounds to get loose for Christmas. Or staying home for the house parties. Or just now, folks going shopping. Really?!
And yes, there will be constant reminders of the horrors that our Native American brothers and sisters will not participate in this Thanksgiving Day due to the killing of their ancestors outside of a church on a Sunday morning many moons ago. Henceforth, The National Day of Mourning. We know this. And our Native brothers/sisters are marking 50 years of that horrible reminder that is constantly missed in our schools. It actually happened.
But this holiday, yes does have the two words of Be Thankful for the things and ideas we already have. So here in its 12th Anniversary tradition, here is another traditional Stephen’s Spot Thanksgiving Blog of “Be Thankful”. Break out the tablets, Smartphones, PC’s or laptops. Start reading!
If you have a GOOD PAYING job that is good for you and it pays well for you or family, be thankful.
If you don’t have a job and still looking and STILL not quitting by going to the job fairs or making connections, be thankful!
If you have good insurance, either health, auto, home, vision, or dental STILL be thankful.
If you have a good car or truck that gets you to work every day, and still runs well with or without repairs, be thankful.
If you have a new home, or fixing up your old home, or investing in a home you grew up in and not selling it to those who want to rent out, but want it for life even more: BE THANKFUL!
If you FINALLY have a good doctor or you still don’t have one, but still want to get that monkey (and constant NAGGING) off your back, STILL be thankful about improving your health. And STILL trying. Take your time!
Now I need to say this: If you found out that you have a chronic illness like Diabetes, and you had a devastating moment of asking why it happened and didn’t have the words. But also you had conversations and online postings about those who have it already and knows the feelings of the battles, and you learn from them and they can inspire you to be better and get with the program of what they know, and still believe that it’s possible that you control diabetes and not let it get the best of you. In this month of National Diabetes Awareness Month: BE THANKFUL that you have a support system that can back you up. STICK WITH THE PLANS!
If you have a cool dentist and he or she is good and professional, be thankful.
Like any year, if you have lost any loved one this year or years past, and still feel down that the space is empty or the chair is empty, and you want to fill it up with a new generation of family members that want to pull ahead, even close friends, we must try to be thankful to carry on. It’s hard, but we must. I still miss my father, and like last year, my Thanksgiving will be different without him.
If you had folks praying for you all year for all the things you’ve been experienced no matter good or bad, be thankful that there are folks that know, and are in your corner.
If you are expecting a raise in 2020 and will be getting it, be thankful!
Do you still love your gifts and talents that are unappreciated? And still, do them all the time? Be thankful!
If you still got your parents and/or relatives as your back up, be thankful that they still care.
If you had a sibling in the freaking hospital more than once, who is being taken care of and heard good news about coming home, and I know this AGAIN: STILL BE THANKFUL!
Got any good neighbors that know you no matter how long? Be thankful.
Met any new neighbors lately? Be thankful.
Moved to a different city recently that you feel is best? Be thankful.
Moved back to a city that is best? Be Thankful.
Got a good plan to get that next step in your career, or a different career, and a mindset? Be thankful.
For all of my church folks: if you want your Church to succeed despite those want it to fail due to jealousy, BE THANKFUL that you are willing to fight!
If your birthday or anniversary is coming up or it already happened, be thankful!
If you are STILL very introverted and darn proud of it, and not ashamed to tell about it or embrace it, be thankful!
Single and not in a relationship? Be thankful.
Married with or without kids? Be thankful.
Single and no kids? Be thankful.
Single with kids? Be Thankful.
Divorced? Be thankful.
You still have a church home that you stay and willing to have your kids to grow IN THE CHURCH? Be thankful.
If you have been given a side gig, and love it to be paid with that cash money or checks, no matter what it is, be thankful.
Men, did you celebrate International Men’s Day in #Movember? Be Thankful!
Got a good pet or know a pet that knows you well? Be thankful.
If you STILL give back to your community, your Alumni, your Church, your Scholarship Committees, your Fraternity, your Sorority, your Unions or other groups that have been treating you good all this time, be thankful!
If you STILL appreciate the value of your former teachers or coaches, or former principals, of anyone that knew your value of education, be thankful.
If you put in the work to show up at your meetings even if you see the same people time after time, be thankful!
If you can’t wait to eat the meal that gives you life, be thankful you can still eat the grub.
Still avoiding fake news? Be thankful. They suck.
If you read the old blogs that I can’t control the reading, but still want to read what I want to say regardless from my black point of view, be thankful! Not just for me, but for you.
If you STILL got stuff in your house that you want to give away, be thankful. Somebody will take it.
Still fighting Racism, White Supremacy, Sexism, and others? – Be Thankful.
Got a good business handy? And it’s good for you to make that money like Uber or Lyft or It Works? Hey, be thankful!
If you switch your career to a new company in the past year or will go to a new company to come, be thankful!
Own a business? Got your own time schedule? Invested in a product or material that worked? Be thankful.
If you got many reachable sources to give, or to provide, or to share, or to support, and it’s really catching on, you better be thankful!
If you are planning to vote in 2020, be thankful! Get your ballots ready.
If you are looking forward to another holiday weekend of fun, be thankful.
If you are NOT shopping on Black Friday, but willing to spend Black Friday outdoors in the woods or parks, Be Thankful! It’s a release to avoid a violent backlash.
If you are not shopping on Black Friday, but willing to spend your cash at a local business, or on Cyber Monday, be thankful.
If you are donating to your favorite charity on Giving Tuesday, Be thankful!
If you can’t wait to finally deck your halls for Christmas or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, AFTER Thanksgiving (some of you did it ahead of time) Be Thankful.
If you criticized 45 for his “horrible so-far job” as President and his tweets, REALLY BE THANKFUL!
If you are breathing right now normally and woke up: be thankful.
If you were removed from a company that had you started in the game, then a rift in Management occurred, but went to another company that is good so far, BE THANKFUL!
If many in the black community have black pride PLUS Melanin Responsibility to uplift our black people without sarcasm and forced stuff, BE THANKFUL!
Now I have to say this: if many have given back to our Veterans or supported our military while on duty, be thankful!
If you are apart of the American Legion and have been celebrating 100 years of it’s existence, and still give back and inspiring those to join up in the Legion, Auxiliary (even now that Husbands can join) the Sons and Legion Riders, I want say yes, BE THANKFUL!
If you are walking tall real good, be thankful.
If you are expecting a really good breakthrough like this year or next month, BE THANKFUL!
If you still condemn any racist act on the internet, social media, at your job, or in the house, your church demoninaton, or in the neighborhood, or any act of disrespect, forced patriotism, and you had to write letters of complaints to a certain company, STILL be always thankful to get your voice heard! Put the pressure on them on not coming back!
If you are upgrading your house to be better, be thankful!
If you got a plan to take a vacation, be thankful.
If you still got your old game systems on a Throwback Thursday and if they still work, be thankful!
If you still listen to your old school joints on your radio, or maybe some new school material, be thankful.
NOTE: For my readers that had to go through hell with school shootings, and still feeling hopeless. I want you all to understand that it’s a hard Thanksgiving Day for you as we know. But in a sense, you should be thankful that you can rebuild. And BE EXTRA THANKFUL that yet, you are still living! And be EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA THANKFUL that a breakthrough is coming for the better!
If you are a conscious-minded person, a defensive-minded person that you know is best, for your own opinions and viewpoints without any harm or hurtful feelings towards humanity, be thankful!
For my Sagittarius readers: guess what? Our season is back! Are we thankful, now? (SAGS RULE!)
And finally: If I missed anything that many have thought about, and it’s good: we all should be and forever so thankful that we must march on. Like they say at the black funerals: It’s already been said. It’s already done.
Happy Thanksgiving!
#BeThankful
Scratching my head all this time: The Thanksgiving Edition.
Posted: November 28, 2019 in African American Stories and Viewpoints, African-American Introversion Bliss, Black Issues, Black Milwaukee, Calling those out to be accountable!, Commentary by all means, Community Concerns, Controversial Factors, Crime, Decision Factors, Diabetes Awareness, Every American MUST realize!, Every International Citizen MUST realize!, Facebook, Fake stories that don't make sense, Fake vs Real, Fights, Health and Wellness, Holidays, International Men, International Men's Day, International Women, Introverted mindset, Introverts are good and united, Local News and Politics, Male Issues, Midwest African American Commentary, Milwaukee Concerns, Milwaukee Issues, Movember, Myths and Truths, No Shave November, Pro Wrestling, Prostate Cancer, Racism, Religion, Revolutionary and Conscious, Sagittarius, Thanksgiving Day, The Hypocritical Minded, The Issues, Unapologetically Speaking, White Supremacy is a Problem!, Wisconsin African American Commentary, Wrestling, ZodiacsTags: #OKBoomer, Black Friday, Hallmark Channel, Holiday Jobs, Live Streaming, Milwaukee, Politics, Thanksgiving 2019, Wisconsin
By now, you had the turkey. You had the dressing. You had the cranberry sauce, vegetables, and pie. You’re probably stuffed with all the food. And yes, you probably went to a late night club and got started by shaking down those pounds, carbs and calories. Of course, that’s what Thanksgiving would do to you you fill up and you got to lose weight! Hopefully many of you have had a blessed Thanksgiving, a blessed time with your families and friends and strangers probably came in and see you have something to eat. And hopefully that maybe you’ll do the same thing for the upcoming Christmas season. And of course we have to talk about politics, 45’s crappy stuff, the ongoing problems and concerns about black neighborhoods, churches being so hypocritical, (which partially the good ones can stay afloat) and also your basic everyday road rage and folks driving to crazy and asking the same by the question what is your problem? And just the ad more walls and joys and concerns of holiday employment. Yes if you have not guessed it Christmas is coming. But guess what? I’m scratching my head again.
How thankful are really the things you have already, and willing to go for?
Question for Milwaukee, now we all know that mayor Tom Barrett it’s going to put his seat on the line for the fifth time. But the big question is will he able to retain it with the likes of Lena Taylor and Tony Zielinski. Plus voters that may or may not favor him?
Is the Milwaukee Streetcar really that pointless?! After one year?!
Okay this needs to be asked, which relative really sparked that conversation that you did not want to talk about at the dinner table on Thanksgiving?
You know this is going to happen which came first your football game or Macy’s Parade?
Milwaukee: the Brewers now has a new logo, as a matter of fact: they have brought back the old ball/glove logo that has been slightly enhanced for the ball club’s upcoming 50th season next year. Yes the Brewers are turning 50. Will this next era bring a thing called a Championship?
Already, the 2010s decade is vastly closing real soon, What was your best moment?
Okay this needs to be asked again: which families do and do not use canned cranberry sauce?
For those who may have been “triggered” on Thanksgiving, you probably read about the Indians being murdered after a church service on Sunday morning. And for those of you who probably have never had a chance to re-read the question you might have been triggered all the wrong questions. Did any of us ever had the chance to research the truth?
Which of you Facebook and Instagram users were so scared and worried about the transmissions being almost cancelled on Thanksgiving?
Who was not prepared for the “onslaught” on Black Friday?
For people who drive so stupid in Wisconsin roads, Wisconsin streets, Milwaukee areas, and I know who I’m talking about, when someone is trying to make a turn, or coming out the driveway, coming out of the garage , why do you honk your horn so bad? That right there is going to make you look stupid and irritated. Don’t be surprised if cars come equipped with cameras so they can record your every single driving mode get your license plate and check you. And by the way, that idea is coming for me in 2020 for my cars. Just wait. I’m not playing!
Is Black Friday really worth shopping nowadays?
For the sake of those asking and this is the only question asking why is it that a TV is mentioned on Black Friday the most? As everybody knows.
Right now, the Hallmark channel has it’s Christmas movies playing. And many of us are still wondering why. But you know something, BET, TVOne, and other channels have Christmas movies too. Can you check out those?
For all of my introverted readers, can any of us relate to this?
Attention Black Friday shoppers don’t mean to ask this but, you will be hearing this from your pastor on Sunday. Don’t get triggered because you know it’s the truth. Am I wrong or right?
Is the pressure of the WWE is really building from AEW wrestling?
For all of my UPS, FedEx, USPS, and many other delivery package drivers this holiday season take a look at this:
Now you really have to ask this one question, what kind of mess and crap is this? and the thing is the woman on the video had some crack was on drugs by the way claiming that her car was broken into so many times on outside of a house. Anything is try that turn into racism is really stupid. I hope that no black driver or driver helper this holiday season coming out should not want not and will not go through that type of stupid remarks of racism and many other factors. And this is one of the main reasons why race is still on the deck of the topics of tables in American households, classrooms, churches, the dinner table, the neighborhoods, the malls, the restaurants, and many other places we go and spend our money every single day. They say that the holiday supposed to bring up the good folks in everybody, but I have to remember they can bring out the worst in people too, and this is not about losing folks to death. Even racism place apart around this season especially for those who are trying to do some good deeds by deliver packages to houses or businesses every single day. And don’t assume that the influence of 45 is afoot.
For Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday, which is the best small business you go to support every single day?
For Cyber Monday, which online store you support the most everyday? and don’t assume it’s always Amazon.
For Giving Tuesday, which companies or donations you support the most? As in idea: DONATE TO YOUR ALUMNI!
Milwuakee, it was so naked without our former traditional Christmas Parade that lasted for so long. What will it take to get a new tradition like that to stick for another Generation?
Speaking of “the current Generation that doesn’t want to go on” what is up with Milwaukee restauruant Vitucci’s closing up after 85 years?
Now for you Millennials and Generation Z folks: What is up with this #OKBoomer mess? If any generation can go one on one the most, is Generation X.
For my Live Streaming Folks and I know you got this: Christmas is coming and I’m looking for a gift to save money and get the best live streaming device on the market. I’m looking at Amazon Firesticks, Roku, Android TV JetStream devices and that’s it. So I’m asking all of you, which is the best one you think is the best to buy? Drop a comment in the box or on Facebook.
Sometimes football players make bonehead moves. Myles Garrett. And also this Ole Miss Player, Elijah Moore after making a play, made a dog peeing gesture and costed him and the team the game vs Mississippi State. What was the point of that dumb move?
You know the Milwaukee Bucks are RED HOT right now. How far will they go for another playoff run?
So far, the Green Bay Packers had 8 victories and 3 losses. But this last loss vs a different San Francisco Team gave the Green and Yellow a worst L on the record. The last time they played the 49ers: Colin Kaepernick was playing and won 17-3. Yeah Niners, the Pack won that one. But December is coming and the team usually comes out firing the Big Guns the most in the birthday month of Aaron Rodgers. And mine. Will the Packers make a statement and bust out the guns again in the 12th Month?
And so far, the Wisconsin Badgers are undefeated at the Battleground. And they must go for the Axe vs Minnesota. I think the Badgers must use this as a chance to get redemption vs the Golden Gophers after this ugly L in the Mad City last year:
Will they do this? And keep in mind, it’s not the same Badgers team like last year.
In the next 8 months, Milwaukee will be home of the DNC Convention. Is the Brew City/Cream City really ready for full tilt in Democratic Blue?
For you non Milwaukeeans, yes we’re also called Cream City. Not because of cows or milk. It’s really because of the buildings that have a creamy look on them that blend in. Who knows? And you know why the Milwaukee Bucks have “Cream City” on the jerseys?
How about this interview between the Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin? Very interesting to see on the WWE Network!
Is the confidence of Christmas still an all time high? Not weather wise I should say.
Just to add also, TV One is doing at Family Matters Reunion all weekend long. Yes, nothing but Urkel all day and night. Who’s watching?
If the decade of the 2010s were to end today, what would have been the worst and best moment? I’ll also save that next month.
CALLOUT: Black people: why do you still put a pic of White Jesus on your Facebook pages? Knowing the fact you know better that Jesus WAS BLACK! Speaking of “slave mentality” and “being on the plantation”.
Black People: you do realize that there is an African Heritage Study Bible that really details the truth in biblical times?
Uh-oh: there are names being purged from the voting records. You voters better get to your Election Offices to make sure you are straight with your voter statuses! Now will you be ready when the voting year comes?
All this technology stuff and google searches, and you can’t really read certain books?
And the last thing to ask: After all this weekend of Black Fridays in all, and the racism, and the good things to happen yet to come, what will the 12th month bring and to make sure that you stay afloat?
In the meantime: Happy Thanksgiving!