In a hurry...late for pool... will post a pic later!

I AM HAPPY AND GRATEFUL FOR…

Copyright: May 22, 2007 – Tom Hyland


In the movie, THE SECRET, one of the exercises recommended is to prepare a listing of all such items as one may be inclined. But before I present my list, let us ponder just a moment on some possible related thoughts.

As an example of NEGATIVISM – how many times in our mundane daily lives do we fall prey to the GREEN EYES OF ENVY? We look at the other fellow/gal who seems to have something more than us, albeit: a finer, more luxurious home or car, a bigger more expensive power or sail boat, a better, higher paying job or career, a more beautiful or handsome stunning mate, or myriads of other desired items or things --- STUFF!

On the flip side of the coin we have a few more POSITIVE thoughts perhaps, like AFTER: seeing the guy in the median, with a disheveled look and a sign saying – PLEASE HELP – or the homeless, bag-lady diligently trying to push a supermarket cart laden with her TREASURES, over a rocky terrain, or the poor old soul riding slowly up the road in his battery operated wheelchair, or some other unfortunate, maybe even on television, starving and emaciated…
Then, we might silently exclaim: THERE, BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, GO I!

RELATIVITY --- POINT OF FOCUS --- ATTITUDE --- HUMILITY …

Sometimes it takes a conscious effort on our part to delve through the quick sub-conscious impulses to avoid such dichotomous thinking, and find a happier, more acceptable MIDDLE-GROUND. That’s where my title comes in…

I AM HAPPY AND GRATEFUL FOR:

1. Simply being ALIVE at age 66. After a LIFETIME of struggle, hard work, raising two children (both of whom I AM SO PROUD), and a marriage of faithfulness and devotion which lasted 34 years, I am now only responsible for myself, and only answer to one person – GOD – So my newfound PHILOSOPHY is simple…IF MY EYES OPEN ANOTHER MORNING, IT IS A GREAT DAY!
2. Being in over-all general GOOD HEALTH. With the little exception of some Bursitis in the knees, I have been TRULY BLESSED!
3. SIGHT - Having EYES that work – vision corrected with glasses, no less, but the ability to see a glorious Sunrise or Sunset.
4. VISION - EARS that hear – even pretty good through all that constant wax which grows within. Perhaps a tad hard of hearing at this age, but AUDITORY canals that do work.
5. SMELL - A NOSE that can enjoy both the aroma of freshly baked bread, as well as the stench of rotting crab-shells. My Mom spent the better part of her life with NO OLFACTORY sense.
6. SPEECH - A MOUTH that works pretty good, with taste-buds that allow me to savor such delicacies as steamed crabs and steamed shrimp, and pizza pie and ice-cream, about three-quarters of my natural teeth still functioning enough to enjoy hard pretzels, an ability to speak (even with my BAWLMER accent), and a singing voice to actually be able to carry a decent tune, and even an ability to actually whistle while I work.
7. TOUCH - the fifth, or final of the five senses, the TACTILE sense, to be able to TOUCH and FEEL things – a cool summer breeze across the skin, the softness of a gentle caress, whether given or received, the warmth of a lover’s breath, while snuggled in my arms.
8. TALENTS – more GIFTS from GOD – a good mind with the power of retention still intact. ABILITIES too numerous to mention: Math, Science, Mechanics, Management, Engineering, Electrical, Plumbing, and Carpentry repairs, Reading, Writing, Speaking, Singing, Shooting Pool ( 13 team wall trophies in 6 years ), Vocabulary, Grammar, English, Spelling, Abstract Reasoning, Crossword Puzzling, and more. Please NOTE: no intent to blow my own horn here – these are ALL GOD’S GIFTS…
9. SHELTER – a roof over my head, albeit a Mobile Home or TRAILER, it is 19 years old, a Single-Wide, but in 4 more years of payments it will be ALL MINE!
10. WHEELS – TRANSPORTATION – if you haven’t read it yet, see MY PT CRUISER – LOVE IT! Another 5 years of payments, but…
11. PART-TIME JOB – although Retired, I needed both some PIN MONEY and something to occupy my time in a useful way, so delivering SCRIPTS to others less fortunate, 3 days a week gives me both PURPOSE and an ability to make those car payments!
12. FAMILY – another Blessing which is abundant in LOVE!
13. FRIENDS – while not perhaps as numerous as some might want, or expect, having those who ACCEPT you as you ARE, faults and all, and STILL SUPPORT YOU – yet another Blessing!
14. ANCESTORS – a proud Family Tradition of those who paved the way for me to be WHO I am, and WHERE I am today… Requiant in Pace… and THANK YOU… even to the few BLACK SHEEP!
15. COUNTRY – THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – THE RED WHITE AND BLUE FLAG – LONG MAY SHE WAVE – Even with her shortcomings, faults, and many, many ERRORS of ARROGANT LEADERSHIP --- I am glad I was born here, truly appreciate all of our FREEDOMS, and have no desire to live anywhere else in the whole wide world!


Needless to say, some may not take these feelings to heart, or believe my humble intent in writing out these items. I have no control over that. But if any of you who read these words will take the time to make your own list, I can guarantee that the exercise will be therapeutic.

Yes, my Friends, everything is RELATIVE. The UNIVERSE is IMMENSE. But each and every atom, cell, microbe, human being MATTERS! We are ONE… I AM HAPPY AND GRATEFUL FOR… FINALLY REALIZING THAT SIMPLE FACT!

J-PAL …. Joy-Peace-Abundance-Love… Tom.