A “White Christmas” at Thanksgiving
Posted on November 1, 2014 by bob in MoneyWise
Since November is the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving, it seemed appropriate to reflect both on the bounty we enjoy 
and how we respond to it. As a fan of old films, I am reminded of the scene in White Christmas where Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) tells Betty Haynes (Rosemary Clooney) about his practice of counting his blessings as a cure for insomnia. Most people I have known, myself included, have a tendency to focus more on what we want and don’t have instead of all that we do. Madison Avenue exaggerates this human tendency in its effort to promote consumption.
The reality is that on a relative basis most people in this country today have it extraordinarily good. Let me explain why I say that.
First, from a historical perspective, even those who are not especially well off today have multiple advantages over everyone who lived prior to 1920—and that’s a lot of people. Consider the following benefits most of us take for granted: indoor plumbing, electric lights and other common appliances (washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, stoves, microwaves, radios, TVs, stereos, computers, etc.), modern heating and cooling systems, automobiles and airplanes. We also benefit from medical science far beyond what earlier generations enjoyed. While we may not live in an actual palace, we accept as commonplace many conveniences that the elite of prior generations would have viewed as incredible luxuries.
Second, according to www.worldometers.info, the population of earth is a bit short of 7.3 billion people. The human population has never been greater. If you check the site www.globalrichlist.com, you can enter either your annual income or your net worth to see how you compare to all the other folks with whom you currently share the planet. An income of $30,000/year will place you among the top 1.25% of the world’s population. With a net worth of $250,000 you will rank among the top 4.5% of the world’s population. Check out your actual numbers at the site to see how blessed you are financially.
Third, despite the reasons people voice for finding fault with this country, some of which also bother me, we still enjoy more freedom and personal security than many of our fellow travelers today. It is hard to put a price tag on those things.
So, if we examine our situation and our gratitude is elevated as a result, what do we do about it? The first thing is to rejoice! 
The second is to help others make the same discovery. Like Bob Wallace we can gently point out the benefits of “counting our blessings” when we encounter another Betty Haynes.
Third, we can engage in tangible ways to improve the lot of others who are less fortunate in some way. We need not look far. Generosity is a marvelous thing. It tends to get one’s mind off of one’s own problems, challenges, needs, inadequacies, and unfulfilled wants. Many people have discovered that little is more satisfying, gratifying or joy producing than selflessly doing something for someone else, especially when there is little prospect of personal reward or recognition. Acts of sharing, “paying it forward,” random acts of kindness, etc. are even acknowledged by an often-jaded media as psychically rewarding and socially beneficial.
As you consider your own situation, I hope that you, too, will conclude that, while there are things you would like but do not have, you have a very great deal for which to give thanks. If, as a result, you pursue tangible ways of sharing your bounty, even in small ways, you will likely discover that it is quite commonly more blessed to give than to receive.
Alan Wallace
Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue.com.
