November 2025 Monthly Letter
Dear Reconcilers,
This month contributing writer, Willard High shares his wit and wisdom on the importance of counting our blessings.
Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
As we approach the Thanksgiving Season, my mind wanders back to my childhood. I grew up in a simple rural setting that has spawned so many great memories, leaving me with a heart full of gratitude and a few lessons I want to share with you.
Take time to savor the small things — the simple things. Many of my fondest memories are neither lavish nor grandiose. I do recall. however. that my mother was a phenomenal cook! She prepared the tastiest feasts imaginable and always kept a neat home. Lately, I find myself daydreaming, trying to recreate the delicious dishes my stepfather and I enjoyed. The food was not fancy but it was healthy and tasty. Learn to take pleasure in simple things; this is our best practice in good times or bad.
Things may not be ideal, but they could be far worse. We all try to make the most of life. We might think this means acquiring more and better possessions, but not necessarily. Perhaps what we see as an undesirable life is another person’s dream life. Gratitude is appreciation for what we already have. It means we see the glass half full rather than half empty.
We often lose what we do not appreciate. An old song goes, “You Don’t Miss Your Water…” (Till Your Well Runs Dry). However, if we never stopped to appreciate, savor, and share our water with those we love, did we ever really possess it? Maybe we should stop and thank God, who gives all things and acknowledge those who have enriched our lives — whether they be family, friends or others. If, as I was taught in the 2nd grade, “please” and “thank you” are magic words, maybe we should use them more often.
Research shows that practicing gratitude and peaceful living can positively impact mental health and our quality of life by increasing happiness, reducing stress and anxiety, and helping to regulate our emotions. Your body does this by activating areas of the brain associated with pleasure, regulating the stress hormone cortisol, and increasing the release of dopamine and serotonin. This can lead to better sleep quality, stronger social connections, and greater resilience against stress. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude makes life infinitely more enjoyable.
Our most cherished possessions are our relationships with those we love. Now is the time to acknowledge that reality and seize the day!
—Willard High
Thank you all for your faithful financial support this year. Although our donations have been down, your generosity has helped us keep the ministry going. I deeply appreciate your continued partnership and prayers.
