Simple reasons to be grateful

Holidays are a good time to be mindful of the many reasons we have to be thankful. At the top of the list is usually close family and friends. Following that is a good job and good health, and having the basics such as food, shelter, and clothing. Then we may think about the beauty of nature such as watching a sunset over the ocean on a warm day where the colors from red-orange to magenta-violet radiate out filling the sky, reflecting on the water, sand, and rocks below.

Frequently we take for granted all of the modern conveniences that make our lives comfortable – until they stop working. Then we become quite grateful for electricity and plumbing; phones and computers; washing machines and refrigerators; heat and air-conditioning; cars and airplanes. I find myself being very grateful for structures such as elevators, highways, and bridges – especially after they have been closed for repairs.

However, we need not wait until Thanksgiving Day or for a bright, sunny day to find reasons to be thankful. Every day there are small occurrences for which one can be very grateful. For example, I am always thankful whenever I learn something new. The following is a list of examples that my dear readers and I have compiled.

Finding the mate to a sock that was lost • Clean and well-stocked public restrooms…especially on long-distance road trips • A parking spot becoming available directly in front of the entrance to the location in which one is about to be late for a job interview • Parking at a metered spot and returning to find that the meter expired but you did not get a ticket • Finding something important, valuable, or sentimental that was missing, such as car keys, a wedding ring, a wallet or purse, prescription eyeglasses or a lost cat • The person in front of you in line at the grocery having a full cart when you have only a few things, and having them offer to let you go first • During rush hour, while you are trying to drive out of a shopping mall parking lot where there is no traffic light or officer, but there is an endless line of cars in front of you creeping forward, when one car stops and the driver motions for you to exit in front of him • Being able to take a hot shower after three months in a body cast • Getting a thank-you note from a patient • Having a patient do better than expected • Finding a $20 bill in the pocket of a coat you’ve not worn for a long time • Finally spotting a gas station after the fuel gauge has been reading empty for a couple miles • Miraculously getting out stains of car engine oil from a new pair of white pants • Finding a pair of shoes that fit like a glove and are perfect even in color after having shopped all weekend • Watching your children get off the bus and bring in the trash cans unasked • Watching your favorite team win in double overtime • Waking up from a bad dream, happy it was only a dream • Grateful, after depression, for the ability to feel gratitude again • After being pulled over by the police for driving over the speed limit, getting a warning instead of a ticket.