Gratitude
Hello, and happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate it β either the holiday itself or the extra vacation days.
In the spirit of the day, here are some things I am truly thankful for. All of these come with a caveat: for the moment. They could be taken away at any time by a drunk driver, an angry tyrant, a natural disaster, and so on. This makes me all the more grateful that, in this moment, I get to enjoy all of these privileges while they last.
- My wife and kids are, for the most part, happy and healthy.
- I'm mostly healthy, too. Despite having a growing list of ailments as I saddle up to middle age, and a birth defect that is substantially disabling for many people, I'm still able to do most of the things I'd like to do in life.
- I enjoy a happy marriage.
- I have an enviable job where I make good money, am afforded flexibility, and am treated with respect. It's still a job. It's often tiring and hard. But I'd be a fool to complain.
- Living in the United States, my family and friends are sheltered from war, famine, preventable disease, and most of the other tragedies of the world.
- I don't struggle with any debilitating mental health disorders. I know several people who do, and it's no fun.
- I get to ride my bike to work. This gets me some exercise and makes the rush-hour commute a literal breeze. It can be a hassle at times, but it's worth it.
Well, that's a decent list for a short morning writing session. I hope you have some things you're grateful for as well.