Gratitude

 I recently moved from the city to the suburbs, and while sitting in my room one afternoon I heard the nostalgic sound of an ice cream truck jingle. In case you haven’t heard one in a while, I can tell you that they really do sound the same as they did decades ago.

Now, while I certainly don’t advocate the consumption of dairy products as I am vegan, hearing these happy ice cream truck sounds evoked fond memories.

And it made me think how lucky we are to have peace in our lives. To live in a time where children can run around freely and live a life without fear. Yes, of course, there are some countries that still have problems – it’s not utopia for everyone. But on a global scale the world is getting more and more peaceful.

…So, to put it simply, that happy jingle reminded me to be grateful.

And that’s what I’d like to remind you today: be grateful.

Be grateful that you can wake up in the morning after a peaceful night of sleep, and can begin your daily tasks without interruptions. No one is going to bother you. No one is going to knock on your door and ask you to fight a war, or worse – take you away as a prisoner. Because there is no one outside your door.

Be grateful for the food in your kitchen, as well as the abundance of food found at the supermarket. The shelves constantly being replenished as we take more and more.

Be grateful for the freedom to move as you please. To travel in your country or visit others, while knowing that you are safe.

And be grateful for your home – for the walls that surround you – giving you privacy and space to live whatever life you wish.

You see, there is actually so much to be grateful for in life, but we forget about all of these day to day comforts. We forget because it’s in our nature to always want more – the hedonic treadmill keeps us hard at work. And we forget because luxury becomes necessity. What was once nice, is not so special anymore – like a shower or a hot bath at the end of the day. Once a privilege reserved for kings.

That’s why it’s important to practice gratitude, and to do so daily. It decreases our anxiety and makes us feel more content.

So, each morning, make sure to write down what you’re grateful for. It only takes a minute, maybe two.

And, in general, stay aware of the world around you. There are moments to be grateful for, passing you by every day.