YOU HAVE MANY THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

MANY THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR

 “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero 

We are close to the end of the year and it’s time to take stock. Many people made resolutions at the beginning of the year, failed woefully to keep up with those resolutions and feel disappointed at themselves, they feel the year has been wasted and they don’t have much to show for it; hence there isn’t much to be thankful for. However, I assure you that there is a lot to be thankful for.

If you are reading this article, it means you have eyes, can see clearly and you are not like the several millions in the world that are either totally blind or visually impaired. Some other people can see, but are not literate enough to read and write.

Of course you have to be alive to read this article and you are not like the several millions that have died since the beginning of the year. It feels good to wake every morning realising that God has given you yet another opportunity to live. Your life may not be all that you want it to be, but at least it’s intact, for many die daily. The bible says a living dog is better than a dead lion. From research, we have learnt that the number of people that die daily all around the world ranges between 250,000 to 400,000 ; the poor and the prominent alike. For Nigerian readers, you’ll agree with me that many prominent Nigerians died this year; there is no need to mention names. This tells us that affluence is not a guarantee to longevity or immunity against death.

Enough of complaints let us be appreciative to God. Good health is another thing to be thankful for. I’m sure many people in intensive care units at various hospitals around the world can’t read this. Sadly, many will die there. The folks in cancer wards at the hospitals have only one prayer point which is “that I should not die!” They are not feeling bad that they can’t afford Brazilian hair as some ladies desire. As a matter of fact they don’t care that their heads have been shaved as a result of rounds of chemotherapy. I pray God will heal those in this category who are reading this. I had a bad tooth removed at the hospital last Wednesday; it’s not a good experience I must say. I’m still thankful though, because I saw a man who was brought to the hospital, he was involved in an accident, and yes, he died. The human body is wonderfully made and complexly interconnected. When one thing goes wrong with what we consider to be a ‘small body part’, it may adversely affect the rest of the body. So it takes proper functioning of a lot of cells, tissues, organs and systems for your body to work perfectly; and for you to experience good health. Many things can go wrong in the body, but they usually don’t. This is another thing to be thankful for.

Our friends and family should be another source of gratitude to God. Many are alone in the world without friends and family. They’ll be better off if it weren’t so with them. Loneliness is often associated with the suicidal tendency. However you are blessed with great friends and family. If you don’t have a great family, I’m sure you have great friends! “When you have a good friend that really cares for you and tries to stick in there with you, you treat them like nothing...... always remember your friends will be there quicker than your family. Learn to remember you got great friends; don't forget that and they will always care for you no matter what. Always remember to smile and look up at what you got in life.”
― Marilyn Monroe

For many, life each day is a battle for survival which is worse than the battle among animals in the jungle. Many lands are currently ravaged by war, floods, famine, drought and extreme poverty. Many have no idea of what it feels like to have a bank account; they have never heard of the internet, much less experienced it. Many were ‘born intelligent’ but will never be able to go to school.

Let us be thankful to the Almighty, the elders say one who is thankful for a favour done him yesterday will receive another. This is also a biblical principle; whatever we thank God for ultimately improves and increases. When Jesus was about to feed the multitude, He gave thanks and two fish with five loaves of bread went round thousands of people. I agree that it was a miracle, but that act of thanksgiving played a major role in its performance. He also gave thanks at the tomb of Lazarus before the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection took place.

There is a great tendency to focus only on the things you are yet to achieve and heights you are yet to attain. I agree that one should strive for more achievements and fulfilment, but be thankful for what you have already. It was Epicurus who said “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”  If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get. – Frank A. Clark. No matter how bad you think your situation is, there are many who will give anything just to be like you.  Life isn’t always about instant gratification. Often we need to grow and mature into what we desire to become, for he who jumps up comes down, but he who grows remains at the height of his growth. Hence we should thank God that we are growing and soon we’ll be set for the place of glory. “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” – William A. Ward. Hope for a better future. Look to the New Year with much faith and optimism, believing that things will get better. Optimism (faith) costs nothing while pessimism can cost you a lot and erode your past gains. When things get better for you, remember all the seemingly disadvantaged people stated in this article and endeavour to be of help to them in any way you can. Please ponder on the reasons why you are not their shoes and vice-versa. Some call it fate, others refer to it as destiny, and many others don’t have a clue as to why it is so.  Count your blessings, name them one by one. Have a great 2013 right ahead, grow bigger, better, stronger and rapidly in it.

Cheers