By everyone’s account the year, 2020, ain’t been no crystal stair.
This year saw a plethora of violence from police brutality to incomprehensible murders to marches and rallies against racism to a divided country over politics at its ugliest and to then to top it off a worldwide pandemic that has led to the highest death rates in the world!!! WOW!!!
As if that’s not enough, the Holidays have now become more stressful than ever as we try to answer the question of “To stay home or not” or “To wear the mask and take our chances on visiting our relatives and friends”.
If you’re not careful you can become pretty discouraged and depressed about life as it is because there are NO easy decisions.
But I’m here to tell you that with all of this bad news in the morning, bad news at Noon Day and even MORE bad news in the evening there is something that we CAN find in our hearts to say that we are thankful for right now.
Here are 8 Things We Can Be Thankful for Right Now
⦁ Be Thankful for Life. Let’s face it. You are still alive and have breath in your body. Most people who have the coronavirus are placed on ventilators to help them with breathing difficulties.
No matter what’s going on in the world if you’re still here that means you have purpose. You have meaning to someone. And as my Pastor would say, “Now tell the LORD, Thank Ya!”
⦁ Be Thankful for Your Loved Ones That are Still Alive. The most difficult thing about the coronavirus was the exceeding great loss of life.
Most of us either know someone who had the virus or someone who died from complications from the coronavirus. If you can still see, talk to or even hug your loved one you are blessed.
⦁ Be Thankful for The Small Things in Life. All of the tragedies of 2020 have taught me to be appreciative of the small things in this life that I take for granted every day (i.e. clean water, food, clothing and shelter, television, a cell phone, my computer and internet connection). I say to myself “I have no lack and cannot complain.”
⦁ Be Thankful We Live in a Country That Provides Economic Aid and Relief. One of the hardest things to face is the loss of employment.
In the year 2020, MILLIONS of people in the United States filed for Unemployment Benefits for the first time ever and the U.S. Government offered special loans to Business Owners in dire need to help maintain their businesses. These loans were not required to be repaid.
⦁ Be Thankful We Have Front Line Responders and Workers. If we did not have paramedics, nurses, aids, doctors and many other front-line Responders to be able to reach out to in emergencies caused by the coronavirus or all the murders and shootings that took place where would we be?
Many of these people selflessly looked beyond their own lives to help save others. If you know someone who is a First Responder, please tell them “Thank You,” and let them know how much you appreciate them.
⦁ Be Thankful for the Opportunity to Give.
There’s a quote by the well-known poet, Maya Angelou, that says, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
Even though our country saw some of its ugliest moments in 2020, it also saw some of its most compassionate moments. Many Religious organizations and Not-for-Profits have given away food and clothing. People also found ways to help those in need.
At my church, I participated in a weekly group of volunteers who came together to put together coronavirus care packages that included masks, hand sanitizer, tissue, tea, cough drops and granola bar treats to give out to persons in need of these items for their safety and daily living.
There are many organizations that you can volunteer your time with or you can send financial contributions to…it all matters and I’m sure these organizations would be grateful and thankful.
⦁ Be Thankful for the Opportunity to Learn How to Plan for Unexpected Events. Early in March 2020, I clearly remembered hearing the rumors as news began to spread of a virus that had spread all the way from China in to the U.S. It was found to be dangerous and rapidly spreading.
The management team of my company’s client spent several days in meetings discussing the possible effects and impact to their business of this news and the “what ifs” of the virus spreading.
In a matter of days, the company went from planning policies and procedures for a work environment that originally covered a few days and weeks to what turned into months and then years!
People panic when there is a crisis. I personally found this out and learned how important toiletries became when I went in search of Lysol cleaning wipes.
Seeing empty shelves with no date estimates given for the restocking of those shelves was an overwhelming lesson. I painfully learned to prepare for future unexpected events such as this because I had to constantly find alternatives to my favorite cleaning products and toiletries.
⦁ Be Thankful We Live in a Country with Dedicated Researchers and Scientists. Finally, we can be thankful that we live in one of the most advanced nations/societies in the world.
Scientists and Researchers continue to work on finding a coronavirus cure and alternative medicine options flood Google, YouTube and other online sites frequently.
We can be grateful that there are people with brilliant minds who spend their time and knowledge on finding solutions to life problems and challenges. This is worth all of our thankfulness!