Wednesday, 11/24

I'm sure there's something to be thankful for this year, right?

First of all, just let me say that there really IS a lot to be thankful for if you're doing the simple act of reading this. That means that, at a minimum, you have your health, you have an internet connection, and you have a passing interest in what's going on in the outside world. And I really DO subscribe to the theory that as long as you wake up in the morning you have something for which to be thankful.

Looking at it that way, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.

However, what with is being the 23^rd month of 2020 you can also make the argument that there isn't a whole lot to be thankful for this year. Here in Michigan Covid numbers are higher than they've ever been, even though science tells us how to being them down. The partisan divide between Americans seems to be growing instead of shrinking. The gap between the haves and the have-nots is bigger than it's ever been. And on a daily basis we see just how much we've effed up our planet's climate.

So, if you're one of those people who thinks there isn't a lot for which to be thankful, I will grant you every single fiber of your opinion. If you look at the today of here and now, you can make a (strong) case that there isn't anything for which to be thankful.

But...we also live in a wondrous time. Unlike a century ago, when a deadly plague rolls around the planet we figured how we can stop it (even if not everyone seems to want to). Unlike a century ago, people can expect to live to see 100 instead of looking over their shoulder once they hit 55 or 65. Unlike a century ago, we can access family and friends across the planet with a device you can hold in your hand. And unlike a century ago, we can look at the night sky and wonder in awe at the fact that (as I write this) there are seven people living and working in a space station in earth orbit.

While it seems like there may not be a lot for which to be thankful this year, especially in the here and now, sometimes it can work wonders for your mental health to step back, at least in a metaphysical sense, and look at the big picture. Even with all the crap that's going on, crap that seems to expand exponentially on an almost daily basis, you really CAN make the case that there is a lot for which you can be thankful, even as we head into the 24^th month of a year most of us would like to forget.

Have a great Thanksgiving. Try not to eat too much!!

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)