I find it harder these days to find things to be thankful for. The Geneva Academy has identified more than 110 armed conflicts around the world in 2023, with millions of soldiers and civilians killed. Climate change is destroying the only planet we have, people continue to kill animals and eradicate species, and there is so much hate everywhere.

https://geneva-academy.ch/galleries/today-s-armed-conflicts

In some ways, though, gratitude comes easier. I find that when I let go of the hard stuff, the other blossoms. My list is shorter this year, but it reflects the deeper parts of me.

What are you grateful for, deep down?

1. My mom, who is just shy of 89 and going strong. She is my best friend.
2. My beautiful cats, Lottie and Macie. They are what keeps me upright.
3. My home–even though I have come to hate where I live, I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head, warmth in the winter, and cool comfort in the summer.
4. The birds and all the other critters in my back yard, and by extension, everywhere. And the trees.
5. Genuine friends–I don’t have many, but the ones I do have I cherish.
6. Co-workers and a company that are absolutely amazing, caring, flexible, and understand the importance of treating everyone with respect and dignity (that’s a first!).
7. Getting older.

As I said, my list is shorter. It doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate that we have clean water and readily available food and air to breathe. What it does mean is that these few things are the most important to me at an emotional level, and that they are the things that keep me moving through this awful, hate-filled world.