2020…. It’s been…..well….. unprecedented. 2020 will be the year NO ONE wants to remember but can’t forget. I imagine a whole chapter, if not a whole book (well, digital book) on this year and it’s events and happenings being taught in history classes in the future. Undoubtedly, there will be those in the future who didn’t live through any of it and never heard stories passed down from generation to generation, that will not believe any of it, like some who believe the moon landing was faked. By the way it wasn’t….
Or was it??????
I’ve never been good a gratitude. I don’t mean being gracious to others and thanking someone for help or a gift or something. I do that without thinking. I mean, looking around me and counting my blessings. Acknowledging the things I have, the people in my life and the ability to keep doing what I do as a career. When it’s a rough time, it’s hard to see all the good because we’re so concentrated on living through the bad. We’re so focused on what is happening that isn’t to our liking. It’s called “self-preservation”. We’ve become so entranced by all the negative because of our natural ‘fight-or-flight’ response. We NEED to see what’s happening so we know what’s coming and how to avoid it or how to deal with it. Eventually, we need to see past all of that and remember that we’re all still alive, safe, and loved for many reasons and we need to acknowledge those reasons.
I am first thankful that my employer understands adversity, especially when it’s not self-inflicted, like the pandemic. I did as much as I could to try not getting COVID. More than that average bear! Yet, somehow I got it and it wasn’t good or easy. NRG Media was understanding, staying in touch with me, monitoring my struggles and rolled with the punches as they came. The docs, nurses and hospital saved my live, NRG saved my family and livelihood. For that, I am eternally grateful.
I’m thankful for you. Listeners, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube followers we there for me, and most I’d never met. You all kept my spirits up while I was sick at home and in the hospital. One major thing I believe helps, is a positive attitude through it all. Staying positive helps your immune system do it’s thing. Seeing everyone’s well-wishes, thoughts, prayers and and positive energy REALLY helped me stay positive in a rather dark situation that had the possibility of many outcomes. I’ve personally told friends and family that all of those comments and messages from listeners and followers, were and ARE a major factor in my success in beating the virus. DO NOT TAKE HUMANITY FOR GRANTED. I used to. Not so much anymore.
I’m thankful for my family. They were worried about me when I was sick, and never overlooked a reason to tell me that they love me. We all know that that last time you told someone that you love, how you feel, could be THE last time you ever get to say it. DO NOT PUT OFF TO TOMORROW, WHAT CAN BE DONE TODAY. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
I’m thankful I have a home to live in, put all my crap in, eat food in, and sleep safe and warm in. That is something we all take for granted. It’s just so much of a “given” that we don’t take the time to think about what would happen to us if all of that was taken away. If we entertained those kinds of thoughts more, we might have more empathy for those who don’t have all of those things. That takes away a person’s security and feeling of worth. It’s vicious cycle when that happens, and we let our minds take us into the darkness of thinking that we must not have deserved those things, or we weren’t worthwhile for others to help us when we needed and asked for it. This happens. Take the time to talk to someone who is homeless. Ask them what they need and what they think would help them overcome these feelings and adversities. Many times, it’s just being heard and acknowledged as a human being. Maybe a haircut or shave. Possibly just a warm meal and some company. Any light that can show through someone’s darkness, is a light that shines bright and a shows the way that that person can imagine better days ahead. Maybe even strive to work harder to achieve a better future. Any of us could be that spark that ignites the fire within someone. You might be the catalyst for that person’s change. We all could.
I am also, so very thankful election season is over, for now. These past several months have taken a HUGE toll on my psyche. Seeing and hearing commercials full of stretched truths, falsehoods and blatant lies, opened my eyes to the things people will do to have power. It’s gaining power at all costs for these people. There’s no more right or wrong or moral authenticity for so many. Only what THEY want and will do anything to get. Lack of empathy for others is what will cause the fall of this country and any others that follow the same path. If we all looked at each other as family, a HUMAN family, that are FAR MORE ALIKE than different or separate, we could get things done that help everyone, one way or another. When did feeling for someone’s plight or the ability to see others as you see yourself, become a perceived weakness? It has the EXACT OPPOSITE EFFECT! Thinking others are beneath us for whatever reason only shows the weakness we believe in ourselves. Strength of character allows us to help someone who can’t get up on their own. Strength of character allows us to stand with others in solidarity and peace. Strength of character, in each of us, strengthens our society, civilization and nation.
I am now thankful, that you took the time and effort to read my thoughts about gratitude and why we all need to have more of it, for ourselves and for others.
Thank you.
