Thanksgiving is an opportune time for reflection about the nature of thanks and appreciation, wants, and needs, desires versus necessities.
As nannies, we do not own a home the size of our boss' or posses the goods our employers have in abundance. Our charges often have bigger bedrooms and newer, more sophisticated electronics than the we do.
It is easy for many nannies to be envious. It is so easy to become fixated on jewelry, clothes, computers, and technological belongings. It is not uncommon to covet what we would like, even if we do not need it.
But envy is all-encompassing and debilitating. Envy saps the body and mind of resources and energy besides being time consuming.
Mature nannies understand that more stuff does not guarantee happiness, serenity, or satisfaction. In fact, the complications and stress from trying to "keep up with the Joneses" tends to impede the search for inner peace. Instead, we need to find joy in helping shape our charges and not feel a sense of entitlement.
This Thanksgiving be thankful for the blessings you find in your life, to appreciate the small things you may take for granted, and to celebrate the big things you tend to overlook. And to spread that joy of life to others.
