It's hard to believe that the year is about to end. Anything that we planned on accomplishing in 2009 is either done or will be put off until the next year. Time seems to pass so quickly and I wonder what we have done with this past 365 days that we've been given. What made this year worthwhile, that we gave up 12 months of our lives for? I suppose we had no choice in the matter, but as we were thrust through this past year, I wonder if we made those days count for something? Since December 31, 2008 until now...

     1 year

     These are the divisions of time that equal a year(give or take for leap years ect.) 

     12 months

     365 days

     8,765.81277 hours

     525,948.766 minutes

     31,556,926 seconds

     ...have passed.

     In that time, what have we accomplished as a world, as a nation, as a community, and as an individual. Are we any different from the way we were 365 days ago? Have we changed for the better or for the worse?

     What is one good thing you think has been accomplished this year in your life? What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next 31 million seconds?

     I was in a store doing some christmas shopping the other day, because I'm one of those fairly last minute type of people. As I headed out the door with my purchase I saw one of those bell ringers that wished me a Merry Christmas. I would consider myself a moderately compassionate guy and whenever I see a chance to give to the poor I like to at least contribute a few coins or dollars, but to my sudden realization, I didn't have anything. I had paid with my debit card and the money had been electronically transferred instantaneously into the store's accounts for safe keeping.

     I was forced to smile and wish them a merry christmas as well, without dropping a dime into the bucket. Have we ever considered what we are giving up for the simple conveniences we have in our day and age? Sure it's easier and safer to keep your money in a bank and use a card that electronically transfers your money, but aren't there some disadvantages? There are some things you can't use a card to buy.

     I guess my point is that, in all the craziness of the holiday season and in all the technological advances in our modern society, please don't forget to give to the poor and needy. When you go to purchase your ipod touch or xbox 360, remember to spare a few extra dollars to make a child, who can't even dream of having such things, have a better holiday.

     What are some things we have given up with the advent of modern technology? How do you give to charity?

     *some did mention that certain bell ringers have devices so you can use your card with them, although the ones in my area and I'm sure a lot of other places have yet to establish this*

     People are generally ungrateful. Being thankful is something that is acquired over time and usually doesn't come naturally in most people. Yet, even when we do remember to be thankful, we are more often thankful for what we have and not how we got it.

     You will here people around this season of thanksgiving, listing that they are thankful for their house, health, family, friends, church, financial, stability, etc and so many forget to thank the one who gave them all those things and much more.

     God be merciful to people who receive so much from Him and forget to thank Him for it. I'll grant that some of them are atheists who deny His existence, and others are agnostics who just don't care or think about His existence, but for those left that still believe strongly that there is a God and he provides for them, lets give thanks to Him right now.

     What I want anyone who wants to participate, to do, is to leave a comment below, simply saying "I thank God." Nothing more unless you want to write what you thank Him for, but I'd like to gather a list of those people that are grateful to God. If you are an atheist or agnostic, feel absolutely free to participate, God sees it even though you don't see Him.