Experts say you should keep a gratitude list or journal to relieve stress, be happier, and be more mindful. To me, adding another daily task sounds like a recipe for more stress, not less.
That doesn’t mean I’m not grateful. My gratitude tank is filled every time I see a friend, see the sunshine, enjoy music, or gaze at a piece of art. I’m grateful for all the amazing things this world gives and the fact that I have the ability to enjoy them
I’m grateful for my friends. One friend always greets me with “Isn’t it a beautiful day? Don’t we live in a wonderful place?” Whether I’m rushing to a meeting, lugging groceries, or doing some annoying task his greeting reminds me to take a mini time-out that nudges me to forget the rush, soak in the sun, and appreciate my surroundings.
All my friends bring something special to the table - be it a smile, a shared love for cats, art, music, games, or a good TV show. They sprinkle warmth and comfort into my day. Sure, some of them do things that might grate on my nerves, but I've embraced the wisdom of an '80s book that preaches, "Take the best and leave the rest." It's my happiness mantra, reminding me that I control what grabs my attention. I can focus on the good stuff and tune out the not-so-pleasant bits. Besides, I know I have traits that can annoy people, and I’m grateful my friends ignore them or at least keep our friendship despite my foibles.
Books make the gratitude list. I’m glad to be living at a time when books are readily available and there are so many genres to choose from. My library book app lists 101 book categories from Antiques to Women’s Studies. Experts estimate from 500,000 to 2.2 million new books are added to shelves each year. (1, 2) With all those books, there must be a few books out there to suit my tastes and my mood. The hard part is browsing all the lists looking for my next read.
A book I read recently highlighted another thing I’m grateful for—modern medicine. In The Book of Charlie, Charlie White, who started his medical practice in the mid-1920s, noted that blood typing and antibiotics hadn’t become mainstream. (3) Millions died in the early 20th century of diseases such as step throat, tuberculous, and pneumonia. Many of my peers who endured surgeries in the 50s tell tales of ether-induced nightmares and nausea. Anesthesia has taken a giant leap forward. For centuries before us pain control was drinking alcohol or biting on a stick. With modern medicine, everyone’s life is longer and easier than it was for all those generations before us.
I’m grateful the world is filled with such wonderful music and that we live in an era where we can enjoy it a the touch of a finger. My love of music started in the 50s when my parents gave me a transistor radio that was glued to my ear as I endlessly listened to Buddy Holley, the Everly Brothers, and the Drifters. Each decade my musical interests expanded to Broadway Musicals, Classical music, and finally to Opera. My music listening has also evolved, bringing me more joy. Now I can shift my attention from an individual instrument to enjoying the entire piece. (4) Listening to music whisks me from the troubles, pains, and business of daily life to a sublime world.
Art is also a joy. (5) I’m grateful for the centuries of artists who’ve created masterpieces that bring beauty and evoke emotion. I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to see masterpieces in some of the greatest museums of the world and have been able to experience special exhibits of masters such as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Matisse, Rodin and present-day artists such as Rober Bateman, animal artist. Art, like music, transports me into a beautiful world.
Since I love art and music, I’m grateful I lived in Chicago where I could experience these loves as often as I wished. And I’m grateful that I’ve had the ability to travel to other great cultural centers like New York, Paris, Rome, and Madrid.
I’m grateful for the variety of life. Part of that variety is the wonderful cuisines of the world – Indian, Thai, Moroccan, French, Greek, Italian. The list is endless. And thank you, hubby, for loving the music, art, and food and making sure that I have been able to enjoy them throughout our life. Thanks for exploring these cuisines and learning to cook them together.
Finally, woven throughout each of the items in my gratitude list is technology. While air travel has become challenging I’m grateful planes can transport us anywhere in the world. I’m grateful we live in a time where technology can bring us quality music and experiences right in our homes. Gone are the days of grandma's crackly 78 Vaughn Monroe records; today, our recordings practically transport us to the concert hall.
So, as Thanksgiving rolls around, whether you make a gratitude list or not, take a moment to ponder the pleasures of life. And if nothing else, be grateful for the simple joys that make life one heck of a ride. Cheers to that!
References
Talon Homer, How Many Books Are There in the World?, entertainment.howstuffworks,com, Oct 12, 2022
Rob Errera, How Many Books Are Published Each Year? [2023 Statistics], tonerbuzz.com August 18, 2023
David Von Drehle, The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man, Simon & Schuster, May 23, 2023.
Nathan H. Lents, Ph.D., Why Do Humans Make Art?, psychologytoday.com, September 5, 2017
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