The last thing the fish is grateful for is water. Many are the things we take for granted and we don't truly appreciate them until they're gone.
Therefore, I've brought you 12 memorable mentions to give thanks for this year.
#1 Running Water
My mom grew up in a ranch here in Mexico and needless to say, life was substantially different back in the day, 60 years ago.
My beautiful grandma had to walk several miles away from the ranch just to get to the nearest river to do laundry and would use a donkey to carry water back for cooking and washing dishes for her 8 children.
That was her struggle for many years until my grandpa got together with his other siblings and they all put some money together to fund a pipeline that would run from the river back to the ranch and they all agreed that the faucet would sit in the middle of all the houses in the community ranch.
Although this very much saved time and energy, it was still nothing compared to the comfort most of us have today with our indoor sinks.
They all had to share the same water source, therefore who ever woke up first was able to fetch all the water they needed and who ever woke up last had to wait until the well filled up again due to the lack of water pressure.
#2 Electricity
If you can remember the days when electricity wasn't widely available, then you could be about 50 or 60 years old.
Back then people would use oil lanterns for lighting. My dad once told me of the little sister he lost decades ago because of those oil lamps. She loved to read, but unfortunately one evening she fell asleep reading with the oil lamp on her belly, it fell and lit everything on fire.
My throat really lumps up with this one because she didn't make it and I never got to meet her. She was only 7.
#3 Washine Machines
This one's another one of which I would have never thought of when living back in the states, my dad actually knew how to fix washing machines so it was something where we'd just set and forget the clothes for an hour and they'd be washed. Always having clean clothes at hand.
However, when I moved to Mexico, I realized that not everyone has the ability to own a washing machine.
Some people here handwash their clothes and it saves on electricity and water but boy is it a work out. Especially the jeans, they get really heavy. Yikes!
#4 Your two feet
This one also didn't come up for me as an immediate thing to be grateful for until I moved to Mexico 7 years ago.
Growing up in a small town in Oregon, we drove everywhere! Walking wasn't really a thing unless you set some time to do it at the park.
It was so ridiculous that one time we intentionally decided to walk to Walmart to get some exercise in while getting errands done and someone stopped to offer us a ride. Which we took because we were so not used to walking anywhere. (Face Palm).
However, here in Mexico, people need to walk everywhere because cars are a luxury and you learn to appreciate having two healthy pairs of legs and feet that help you move around just to get the necessities done.
#5 20/20 Vision
The first time I got glasses was back in the 3rd grade. Then I switched to contacts in middle school and now as an adult I wear glasses again, yet on the brink of wanting contacts again.
For those of you who have 20/20 vision, you are so fortunate! Would you enjoy a beautiful sunset for me?
When you have to wear glasses it either goes that you look smart or you get called four eyes. I been called both haha.
But the point is that if you can see without glasses, you're 25% of the world. Take well care of your eyes, may you never need glasses in your life and one can be super grateful for that!
#6 Smiles
Smiles can melt hearts. They are contagious. They can heal.
With a single smile you can mend a broken heart. You can cheer up a sad soul. You can make someone's day. You can dry up tears.
Yes, be grateful for smiles because they have changed humanity in a positive way.
And because with it, we're able to express warmth toward one another without needing a single word.
#7 A Steady Income
Many of us have been directly affected by the economic downfall due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Many still have their jobs and have seen only a small impact, yet many have lost their jobs and are now worrying about their next meal.
However, where there's a will, there's a way and some of those who have been hit by job loss have turned to crypto as a means of income.
Here's an article titled, "The Crypto Coins That Have Fed Me & My Family, Part 1":
https://read.cash/@cryptolohy/the-crypto-coins-that-have-feed-me-my-family-part-1-58b839f9
(For those of you who might be interested.)
#8 The Hardships
As much as we hate to be uncomfortable or sad or angry. It's the hardships that shed light on who we really are.
Once we see ourselves without the glimmer, that's when we are truly able to make impactful choices that will change us for the rest of our life.
It is not comfort that shows us our true colors but when we're put to the test, that's when we either shine or look dull.
Hardships are the occasions that help us break bad habits. Habits that are destroying us, however, we don't want to abandon because they make us feel comfortable, they may remind us of our childhood or we're unsure of why we don't want to leave them.
Hardships also help us set our priorities straight because it's not until you don't have it that you are able to differentiate a want from a need. And you can let go of those wants that are destroying you.
#9 Humor
We are grateful for the gift of humor. It's like a smile yet it's different.
With humor you can relieve anxiety. Humor can crack even the most harden hearts, showing us a more human side to them. Giving us hope for change. Giving us a glimpse of the other side of the coin.
Humor can generate confidence, rapport and trust. It can be simple yet it's effects can have life changing results.
#10 The Elderly Peeps
Can humanity advance as a whole?
Of course, if we start to appreciate our elderly's experiences and learn from them.
Why should we be commiting the same mistakes our ancestors commited?
Life is too short for this.
We should be grateful for the elderly because they can teach us so much about life.
Just think of all the advancements we can achieve if we were to stop trying to re-invent the wheel.
#11 Silence
Can we take a moment of silence to appreciate just that: Silence.
In silence you can hear the beating of your heart, a constant reminder that you are alive.
You can also hear yourself think and analyze people, situations, things and concepts.
Silence, it's the nothing that makes the difference for everything.
#12 Illnesses.
We think of getting sick in a negative light and with good reason, for many have been lost due to an illness.
However, illnesses cause our bodies to become stronger against getting sick in the future.
Illnesses also remind us that life is fragile, let us not take it for granted.
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