I am receiving emails from work and various blogs that I subscribe to describing all the things people are thankful for in their lives. It is certainly heartwarming reading these thoughts. So how do I state things differently than has already been described countless times before? What would be interesting to our readers?
While I ponder on that and formulate the rest of this article, pause for a moment and watch this video to its wonderful completion. Regardless of your religious leaning or tendencies, this video reflects the capabilities of our imagination and in this case, our voices.
We are thankful for many things
As others have done, I am going to mention our blessings first:
Health: As we age, we are becoming more aware of how important it is to take care of our bodies and minds. Our parents have suffered many health issues earlier than expected. We are grateful for our vitality today and will renew our focus of maintaining healthy bodies.
Family: We are able to visit our parents and children quite frequently. We are thankful for the relationships we have with our extended family.
Friends: We have a few great remote long-term and now new local friends in Sedona that we are thankful for our close relationships.
Our country: People often state that we live in the greatest country in the world. With all our challenges in the US, I believe this is true. I have visited many other countries and I am always grateful to come back home.
Our financial prosperity: We are thankful for the financial position we enjoy through the opportunities available to us as well as the influence our mentors had in our prosperity. I am thankful for current and past jobs with my employers. We are thankful for our blog readers.
Our spirituality: We are thankful that we can pursue our own beliefs, faith, and spirituality. A remote hike on a quite Sedona trail brings those thoughts to my mind.
The basics we are thankful for
There are many things we simply take for granted. These include clean air, clean and fresh running water, housing, fresh food, safety from attack (terrorists, criminals, wild animals, asteroids, comets, etc.) electricity, sewer systems, and a democratic government. Let’s not forget heating, air-conditioning, refrigerators and more importantly, ice cubes!
We only need to read stories about third world countries, where finding clean drinking water and basic food is the number one priority each day, to appreciate what we take for granted in the United States.
Even with all our health care system problems, the system in our country is great.
We live at a point in human history where many problems are solvable by taking on the challenge. The technological revolution has changed the way we work, play, and live. We continue to innovate and create new comforts and modern conveniences. Just imagine the possibilities when this world is focused on sustainability and renewal energy!
What we take for granted
In the United States, we take for granted the freedom to express ourselves. We have the right to voice our opinions, vote, and publically demonstrate if we wish.
Opportunities available to us seem to be endless. Simply visit a large local grocery store or Walmart and look at what items we can purchase to satisfy our every desire.
We have many opportunities to find jobs with employers. With a current 5% unemployment rate in the U.S., theoretically 95% who want to work have jobs.
Our comforts have expanded much like our waistlines. Our new default comforts include multiple flat screen TVs, large homes, microwaves, multiple cars, smart phones, internet, and personal computers. Could you imagine living in a grass hut in Africa in comparison, without these modern conveniences?
I am thankful I can type these words. (I can see, read, write, type, and compose my thoughts)
Conclusion
For me, I continue to strive to improve my life. I know I seldom take the time to reflect on all the blessings I enjoy today. My focus seems to be on achieving more goals, living in the future, often failing to recognize the present.
Much of my temporary unhappiness can stem from taking for granted those things I should be thankful for but seem to have forgotten.
For us, we will achieve some important financial and life goals in a few short months. I truly believe then a new chapter in my life will unfold. I will have removed the “time sucks” and excuses that have monopolized my energy, now enabling me to change my focus to other new and important activities. These new pursuits certainly include reflecting on my blessings and thankfulness for the present moment given to me today.
Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for reading!
Photo Copyright : Jennifer Barrow (Follow)
Luke Fitzgerald @ FinanciallyFitz says
Hope you had a great thanksgiving! Happy Holidays!
Bryan says
Thanks Luke.
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well. I am looking forward to the next few weeks with 3 PTO days and 2 holidays. It makes work go by much faster. 🙂