DAY 53 – Easy Gratitude

The day after Thanksgiving is a good day to come clean about my easy gratitude.

A recent conversation that I participated in, spawned the statement, “Things are tough for everybody, but you can always find things to be grateful for!” I wanted to be agreeable ..., but I couldn’t respond in the affirmative.

While it is true that there are always things that one can be grateful for, things are not tough for everybody. I know, because not only are things not tough for me; I’ve got it good. There are many things I’m grateful for, but it’s an easy gratitude because I don’t have to look for a silver lining; the whole cloud is silver.

I like myself.

I have never had to worry about lacking for food, clothing or shelter.

I have family and friends with whom I share open and loving communication.

I am well. Not perfectly so, but each day I have the opportunity to improve it.

I find my work as a doctor of chiropractic, even after 28 years, so interesting and rewarding, that I have no desire to retire.

I feel a part of, and connected to all things.

The tough part of my life is the enormity of the suffering in the world, and the enormity of the risk that humanity faces. Each day brings the confusion and choices of  triaging my needs, my family’s needs, my friends’ needs, my community’s needs, my Country’s needs, humanity’s needs, the earth’s needs. There would probably be less confusion if I were a saint; but I’m not. I’m just a regular guy with a great life, and lots of easy gratitude.