I am Thankful For...

I am so lonely. I am all alone - always am at this time of the day. It's so easy to get depressed when you are lonely. But as I write, overlooking the front door and as I watch the sun shines through those leaves and those reflections, I began to reflect on things I should be thankful for.

Instead of getting depressed I am making a conscious effort to be thankful, and say hey, things could be worse, my friend. Much much worse.

Thirty years ago I was advised against thinking in that manner for it was not good for your ambition. You should always compare yourself to people and things that are better, to spur you to greater achievements.

Well, that was thirty years ago, may be I needed that then. For now I'm just thankful:

1. That on this glorious day I'm at home, writing this, and not on an island anywhere near South Korea
2. That my families and friends are safe and sound too
3. That I'm able to do what I like doing, in complete peace and freedom
4. To Grandma for giving me that space, and for being forever more understanding and caring. Of course she can be many other things as well, but to wish for Mother Theresa, Oprah Winfrey, and Nigella Lawson or Anna Olson all rolled into one is a bit of wishful thinking, isn't it?
5. That my children, though none with double Ph D's are all gainfully employed and earning an honest living. I would really love to see them and wish that they are with us more often and for longer periods, but that's what you get for bringing them up to be busy and to have their own families. I used to dream of becoming Papa Walton, with all my children, their wives and our grandchildren living under one roof. But it's not meant to be, they had to go away...oh, how I miss them...
6. That in this country food is still plentiful. Granted the cost is increasing every day but you still get to eat what you like, when you like it. It is depressing though to see food being wasted when there are so many who still go without it. 

I'm thankful that my right and left brain are of equal size, as it were: when

undergoing assessment for entering higher secondary school (when 'streaming'

into arts or science was done), the principal couldn't give me a clear advice.

He told me I was okay in both the arts and the sciences, 

so I could choose either. That was a great help!

Now you understand why I'm neither a rocket scientist nor a Shakespeare, 

but just a humble farmer who blogs! I have been blessed with the opportunity to explore and experience the best of both worlds.

Okay I didn't win the Second Crusader Challenge as many one or two thought I would, but, hey, I made a lot of friends and learned more about writing. I'm

grateful for that.

(You'll notice that I've given up on the numbering, Google Chrome is starting to play tricks on me...but no sweat, nobody's counting anyway).

I am thankful that I didn't squander all my money on women wine and song while working, so I was able to build this little nest and buy me this Farm, mua ha ha...

I am grateful that my durians are flowering profusely, and early too. That would mean bountiful harvests and earlier than others to the marketplace, which in turn means some income with much more for family and friends to enjoy.

So the next time you are about to get depressed, remember things could get much worse. Count your blessings.

With every breath we take we have been trained to say two things: God willing, and thank God.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This post is inspired by L'Aussie. Check out what she's thankful for here. Thanks Denise!