Gratitude 2014

No doubt about it, life is hard. Our mistake lies in believing it should be otherwise. An easy life seems to present little challenge, except perhaps in how to while away the endless hours of comfort, prosperity and free time. Truly, that’s a challenge I’d be willing to tackle.

I bet it would be harder than I imagine, though. Even when you get what you want, even when you have everything you dreamed of and worked toward acquiring, there will be contrast. The good life only looks easy from the outside. Winning the lottery won’t solve all your problems; it’ll just make room for new ones or, better yet, make more room for the ones you already have but have been ignoring because you believe it’s all financial. People are people, after all, and if the conflicted nature of homo sapiens hasn’t changed through six millennia, maybe it can’t.

When asked to name one good thing that happened in my day, replying that “I wasn’t bombed by Lebanon” doesn’t count. Sure, I’m grateful that I don’t live in a war zone, but I can look a little closer for the gold. Knowing that Thanksgiving was on the horizon (a long weekend, for which I am always grateful), I pondered how to approach it without getting all trite and sanctimonious. All around me, people I care about are experiencing contrast on levels that make my piddly challenges look even piddlier, so it’s easy for me to ride the gratitude train just by saying “I’m glad that’s not me” or “I’m grateful that’s not my life”.

I could get all tangled up in “not”s. They defeat the purpose anyway. Thanksgiving is about what you have and what you are. So, this year, I am grateful to have First World problems:

I can afford a healthy diet if I choose—and I have a choice.

I can afford shelter—on Dallas-freaking-Road, no less.

I can afford to own a vehicle—a German import, of all things.

I can afford more clothes than I can wear in a year.

I have a job that enables me to afford all of the above.

I work with genuinely good people at that job.

I live in Canada. In BC, on the magical west coast in glorious rainforest country. Can it get better than that????

I have my wonderful Ter, who has stuck around despite being freed by an errant pair of socks.

I have my parents, my sibs, my sibs’ kids, and the joy of being with them at any given time.

I have Nic, and the technology to stay in touch with and be inspired by her.

I have friends.

I have all my teeth.

I am healthy.

I am loved.

I am grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving.