How Thankful Are You?

We often overlook the greatest gift we have everyday... to be born in the United States of America in this time in history. We could have been born in the Depression, or during the Civil War, but we need to be thankful for being here now. I was guilty of taking so much for granted when, in March 2011, my good friend Angie sent me an email that changed my life. I don't know the author of the email, but the thoughts really put my life into perspective. I wish to share these facts with you:

* If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are ahead of the million who won't survive the week.    

* If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisionment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

* If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

* If you have money in the bank, in your wallet and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

* If you can read this message, you are ahead of more than 2 billion people in the world who cannot read anything at all.

I read this email when I feel down, and always come away feeling like a fool. I am aware and more thankful when I turn on a light switch, turn on the kitchen faucet and always get clean water, have heat, think of how many people are involved in getting my food to the store, and all the abundance and luxury I have. This Thanksgiving start a new habit of being truly thankful, vowing to think of the millions who have less than you, including the neighbors down the street. Making the habit of being thankful every day will bring joy to your life.

Happy Thanksgiving to us all!

Christine Shearhart

Retired concerned citizen with a point of view

Read More on Letters To The Editor
Volume 10, Issue 23, Posted 12:41 PM, 11.11.2014