We all have much for which to give thanks. Yet how easily we move through the abundance of our lives here in America, and in the Berkshires, on autopilot, oblivious to how well off we are, even the poor among us.

We don’t have to worry about a secret police bashing down our doors in the middle of the night. We haven’t experienced war on our soil since 1865. We have an employment rate that gives jobs to more than 9 out of every 10 people. Generally, food is abundant and reliably safe. We have systems in place that can light the night, heat the cold, cool the heat, and when we turn on a tap, the water that comes out of usually as good as the bottled stuff.

THE PLANET could go on and on, but we won’t. We simply leave you with the thought of “awareness.” Fully engage in everything you do. Be present. Be conscious. Don’t flick on autopilot. Fly solo with full engagement of the controls. When you live this way, you begin to realize just how blessed you are.

We therefore wish everyone, friend and foe alike (and when you get right down to it, there aren’t any of the latter) a happy Thanksgiving and a fun, relaxing interlude.