Time to count our blessings

A friend of mine at work suffered a heart attack last week. He was rushed to the hospital and had successful quadruple bypass surgery. Looks like he’ll be OK, all things considered.

 

It’s a scary thought. The guy’s not that much older than me; I’m only 43. The episode prompted me to think about everything I have to be grateful for in my life. It’s a timely thought, given that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Here’s my top 10:

1)      The remarkable good health of my family, particularly my 6-year-old daughter. Yes, she suffers from migraine headaches but they are only triggered when she consumes artificial sweeteners. Other than that, she’s very healthy.

2)      My own good health. I feel great!

3)      Parents who cared enough about me to keep me safe and healthy – and taught me what I need to know to make it on my own.

4)      The opportunity to make close friends and meet so many wonderful people from around the world.

5)      The opportunity to earn a good education.

6)      A great career and the chance to make a good living.

7)      A beautiful home.

8 )    The opportunity to live in a free country where I can do what I want.

9)      The opportunity to travel around the world.

10)   Some measure of inner peace I don’t think everyone finds.

 

Life can be rough sometimes, but it’s worth taking a moment to count your blessings. What in your life makes you thankful?

Time to Pause and Count Your Blessings

The recent tragedies in Myanmar and China make me pause and reflect on my good fortune in life.

Recently, a cyclone struck Myanmar and killed an estimated 100,000 people. Another two million people are without clean water or basic necessities. In China, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake killed 50,000 people by toppling buildings – including 6,900 schools, killing thousands of children – and requiring the amputation of some people’s legs just to free them from the debris.

These events have reminded me “not to sweat the small stuff.” It’s a lesson I’ve learned many times before and slowly forgotten. For example, I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that recently I was frustrated because my grocery store ran out of my favorite cereal.

I hope the lesson sticks with me this time. Today, I know that if somebody cuts me off in traffic, it’s no big deal. If I get a flat tire, I can change it. And if I can’t eat Wheaties tomorrow morning, I guess I can survive on any of the other five cereals in my cupboard.

I suppose it’s human nature to always want more than you have today. But when life throws you a little curveball, it’s worthwhile to take a deep breath and count your blessings, because there are millions of people in China, Myanmar and elsewhere around the world who only dream of living the lifestyle – problems and all – that some of us take for granted everyday.