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1992 will undoubtedly go down as one of the most paradoxical years in the history of this planet with the constant confrontation of who and what is right or wrong. One needs only to watch TV, listen to the radio and read the newspapers to realize this is not just a local thing but a global phenomenon. And it's not only physical encounters somewhere, but a constant testing of wills in all sorts of activities. As one perplexed person stated recently, "Things are changing so fast I don't know whose side I'm on."
It is really not a unique situation; one needs only to check historical literature back to antiquity to find the same process occurring. Granted, usually at a much slower pace. In our own locality we went from Indian territory to French to English to American in a very few years. But it was years.
Today, the speed with which change occurs leaves no time for reflection. Using the telephone and fax, media's direction can be influenced not in weeks and days but in hours and minutes.
So, for the individual to take stock - to give thanks - may be difficult. If your glass appears full, it will be easy. If your glass appears empty, it will surely be difficult. But if the glass is half full or half empty (however you look at it), how do you call it? Is that a reason to be bitter?
Maybe that's when our courage and our faith will be tested. Maybe that's when we should be thankful for what has been accomplished, take stock in our resources and detenmine that, we as individuals, should do a better job at our accepted tasks. Then maybe next year at Thanksgiving we might all drink from a full cup.