"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue,
but the parent of all the other virtues."
~Cicero~
I originally shared a version of this post a couple of years ago, but believe it's as timely today it ever was. I hope you enjoy it, and have a Happy Thanksgiving (tomorrow, here in the US).
Last week, I went for my annual check up at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If you’ve never been, NIH is a huge facility with people from all over the world there.
Patients often refer to it as the "City of Hope" because many who go there are basically in need of a miracle to cure what they have. And NIH provides that hope.
If you’re an outpatient (as I am) you typically stay in town at one of the local hotels and ride a shuttle van to the hospital each morning, then back to your hotel at the end of the day.
On the second day of my visit, I was sitting in the van as we picked up other passengers from different hotels in route to the hospital.
At one of the stops, a young man (in his early twenties) got into the van. I could tell from the bandage on his arm, and the bag he was carrying that he was also a patient at NIH,
So I spoke to him as I usually do by saying, "Good morning." Without looking at me, he muttered under his breath, "What’s so _____ ing good about it?"
I would say I was taken aback by his comment. But the truth is, his response, unfortunately, was something that I hear a lot and I'd like to address it here.
What is so good about being alive? Particularly when you’re dealing with a disease, and possibly in a lot of pain? Or, you have a multitude of other problems going on in your life.
My short answer is: quite a lot. In fact, I could list hundreds of things that I’m thankful for, and reasons that life is great, but because of space, I’ll only list ten here.
1) Sunrises and sunsets
2) Living in a free country
3) Homemade peach ice cream
4) A day at the beach
5) Puppies breath
6) The view from the top of a mountain
7) Laughing really hard
8) My family
9) My dogs, Jake (who is no longer with us), Sadie, and Molly
10) Reading a really good book
The fact is, life can be tough, and it’s certainly not fair a lot of the time. And I know that many people reading this article can definitely relate to that.
But, and this a really big but, it’s still the only life we’ve got. This is it. There are no do overs as far as I know.That simple truth is something we should all keep in mind.
It’s up to us to live our life to the fullest and make the most of it. And to be truly thankful each and every day, not just on Thanksgiving.
My challenge to you is that you make your own gratitude list. I’m sure if you do, you will soon discover that there really is a lot to be thankful for.
Well, that's it for now. Until next time...
Keep reaching,
Jay
P.S. I'd love to get your thoughts. If you liked this post, and are on FB, please click the "like" button below to let others know about it, or take a moment and comment on it. Thanks!