Thanksgiving is just around the corner; though it's been said many times before, everyone should take the time to sit down and count his blessings.

Today so many people take this holiday for granted. With the hectic preparations for Thanksgiving dinner and visiting relatives, the real reason is often lost in a bowl of cranberries.

Take a good look at yourself. Can you honestly say that you are not guilty of this practice? If not, then notice the things around you ‑ your friends, your home, your schools, churches, shopping centers, recreation areas, and your own mental stability. Aren't these things worth much more than a passing thought?

Thanksgiving was not made a national holiday to provide students with a vacation from school or to set aside a day in which relatives gather together to stuff themselves with good food and catch up on the latest family gossip; nor was it made so that clubs and organizations could squeeze in a little advertising by raffling several large turkeys.

If everyone would take a few minutes before he indulges in the Thanksgiving feastings and say a small prayer of thanks, maybe this country could find some peace of mind, if only for one day.