A few years ago, I was invited to a Thanksgiving meal with friends who included two new arrivals from South Africa. As we passed the mashed potatoes and drooled on the buttered rolls, the South African woman stopped everyone and asked, "So, this holiday is all about eating and being thankful. That's it?"

We laughed. Sure, there's a little more to it than that -- history, family, parades and football -- but, yes, the essence of the holiday is about eating and being thankful.

That's when I shared one of my favorite Thanksgiving Day traditions: The Thankful List.

It's probably not a new tradition for many of you, but for those -- like me -- from families where tradition falls a flat who are looking to create some of your own, this one is easy, free, accessible to all ages and a great way to warm your heart on Thanksgiving.

The thankful list can be as long or short as you'd like it to be, as deep or as shallow. It can be written and stored for posterity or noted only in your mind. You can share it, or not. There are no rules, just a reminder to stop for a moment each year to acknowledge the good stuff going down in your world.

So, what are you thankful for?

I'm not the only one who writes thankful lists:

One, two, three, four ... what are we fighting for?

Bill Moyers, who was at the side of President Lyndon Johnson at the time when disastrous decisions were being made to escalate the U.S. presence in the quagmire that was Vietnam, used his experience to speak Friday night to President Barack Obama about what could be an equally disastrous decision to escalate the U.S. presence in the quagmire that is Afghanistan.

"Our country wonders this weekend what is on President Obama's mind," Moyers began, at the opening of a remarkable hour of television. "He is apparently, about to bring months of deliberation to a close and answer General Stanley McChrystal's request for more troops in Afghanistan. When he finally announces how many, why, and at what cost, he will most likely have defined his presidency, for the consequences will be far-reaching and unpredictable. As I read and listen and wait with all of you for answers, I have been thinking about the mind of another president, Lyndon B. Johnson."

Read more from The Nation.

Watch this episode of PBS' Bill Moyers Journal here.

Here's Moyers talking about the accountability of war a few weeks ago:

Crossroads Charlotte is highlighting community members working to improve the Q.C.'s social capital.

Here are links to the first two in the series:

Alan Kaufman moved to Charlotte in 1978 because he was “so impressed by the city and the potential for growth here.” As his vision of a growing city became a reality, he helped it along.

When history was made in Charlotte, it’s likely that Sarah Stevenson, 84, was there. A local resident since 1941, Stevenson became passionate about civil rights for all as a parent of students attending public school.

Now, ask yourself -- what have you done for Charlotte lately?

Does America lack a sense of community?

Couldn't resist sharing this uplifting video with you, Clog readers. Produced for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce's 2009 Annual Meeting, it began making the rounds on Twitter last week.

I noticed it the day after being lectured by a Charlotte newcomer on the city's shortcomings. After that conversation, I was down and wondering how many other people feel the same. (No, I won't name the complainer.) You see, any effort made to defend the city is taken by that person as more ammunition for negative spin. They said they're tired of people working to convince them Charlotte's Got a Lot.

Now, in fairness, when I first moved to Charlotte, from Atlanta, about four years ago it took me a long time to warm up to the the area, too. The sprawl is vast, the traffic can be horrific, the people I met were nice but not inclusive, CMS is powerful birth control, I missed Little Five Points, MARTA (that city's mass transit system) and my friends. In fact, almost as soon as I moved here I began making plans to move again. Charlotte just wasn't what I thought it would, and could, be. All the same, I decided to pause for a little while and at least give the city a chance.

In these few short years I've noticed a huge shift in Charlotte's attitude and atmosphere. Now, instead of looking for another city to land I've started looking around. What I've found are large groups of people working hard to affect positive change -- who are inclusive. And, I've gotten involved too. I've also stopped focusing on the negative and started seeking out people and organizations who do care, who are trying to shape the city's future.

No, the Q.C.'s not perfect but it is evolving. And, frankly, it's easy to bitch and shut your eyes to potential. What's much more interesting is rolling up your sleeves, getting involved and making a difference.

With that, what do you see for Charlotte?

Credits: A vision for Charlotte created for Charlotte Remixed, the 2009 Charlotte Chamber Annual Meeting. Words by John W. Love Jr. Music by Fred Story. Production by Tribble Creative Group and the Charlotte Chamber Annual Meeting Committee. (See full credit roll at the end of the video.)

Here's another inspiring Charlotte video from the Chamber: