quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I'd complain about replacement parts, but when I was a kid there was no such thing. Treatment for cardiac patients was, "Well, take it easy." I spent several winters living on potatoes, bread, and peanut butter. And I haven't been beaten in years. Yeah, life is pretty good.

Fredward, you hit the nail on the head about the Cardiac patients. Since my X3 CABG in January 98 every day has been a gift.

I have gratitude for the same things as the OP plus a couple additionals.

Two grandchildren, one born April of last year, one about a month ago. Both daughters live within three miles from here.

Retired the end of June. Hated to go in anymore. Now work part time, love it. Better environment, better supervisor.

Ry Wylie Hubbard says something like this, "As long as I keep my gratitude above my expectations I'm gonna have a good day".

Thanks for posting this. I too have much to be greatful for and sometimes I loose sight of that all important fact.

My older brother and I talk about this fairly often. Neither of us had great expectations for our life, but both of feel blessed where we ended up. We're both retired.

I've traveled fairly extensively to other countries, primarily in Latin America. I've seen what real poverty looks like. Just being born in this country is like winning the World Lotto.

He lives in Florida. Small but nice home, pool in the yard etc. and enough money saved up to cover his needs.

So many things could have gone south during both of our lives, but things turned out well. A warm place to sleep, no urgent $$ issues, reasonably good health. So many people end up with so much less - if they even live this long.

The older I get the more it crosses my mind.

This is a great thread. Nice to talk about positive things in our lives. Most of us have so much to be greatfull for. Our freedom which allows us to peruse happiness for starts.

Amen Brother you hit the nail on the head. VI

It's never too far from my mind that the vast majority of humans that ever lived had lives of frequent if not constant discomfort, pain, fear, hunger, and so on. I am truly grateful to the conditions under which I'm able to live.

That being said, it's easy, too easy, to get caught up in the 24/7 "news" cycle. I find myself very frequently looking at the internet and TV "news," as well as youtube, and listening to podcasts regarding the day's developments. It's a habit I have to fight to not be constantly checking in on what's going on and who said what.

For me, if I must be "entertained," it's better to turn to music instead of news and commentary most of the time. Good music is an old, lifelong friend to many of us that we can rely on to leave us feeling better, happier, and more balanced.

"Every day above ground is a good day".

I don't think a day ever goes by without me thinking at least once I'm so lucky with so much to be grateful for that it's scary. What is the payback going to be?

When I was much younger I had no expectations of where I am today. Don't forget friends and family in your list. My wife and I are blessed in that regard. Sure, we've had our health issues but since we live in a country with the best medical care we continue on comfortably. If there is anything we want or need we just get it. How many people on the globe can say that? A pretty small percentage I would think.

Yep, we are blessed and very grateful.

Jim

Good reminder to turn off the TV and it's "litany of misery".

There is so much to be grateful for. Including four healthy and active grandchildren who will be visiting Grandma and Grandpa's neighborhood tomorrow to trick and treat. I need to thoroughly prepared to spoil them!

AMEN to that my friend. I listen to a lot of podcasts and a frequent topic is the fight around the 1st amendment: ANTIFA vs the right; white nationalism; BLM etc. You start feeling like running serpentine to the your car but then you go outside and the sun is out or the moon is out and the birds are chirping and you realize it's all good.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
I tend to get a bit too caught up in watching news and political crap that drags us down, but today I'm going to do my best to be grateful.

I woke up in a warm, dry house despite the outside temperature being below freezing.

The lights came on at the flick of a switch.

The water coming out of my faucet was crystal clear and safe to drink.

The food in my kitchen was abundant and fresh.

While my body isn't what it used to be, everything still works and I'm not missing any parts.

Most people in the world, including many of our deployed servicemen and women could not make the same list this morning.

Outstanding. Thank you.