What I’m Grateful For in this Wonderful Life on Planet Earth

On Thanksgiving Day I intended to write a brief Thanksgiving Message on Facebook, mentioning several things I’m most grateful for. But I quickly realized that I’m grateful for sooo much that I could easily write an entire post- or 2 or 3. So here I am, writing about what- and why- I’m grateful for literally hundreds of things in my life. I hope you are too.

A few years ago, I was in Bali looking for scuba diving work, both in Bali and around the world, via internet. Despite already having 3 diving seasons as a PADI Instructor under my belt, I wasn’t having much luck finding the next diving job.

I started getting nervous, scared, and then desperate as my funds slowly dwindled away. Then I started falling into despair and even depression. I reached a point that I recognized I needed help, both on building my finances and on pulling myself out of a poor mental state. Usually an optimist, I was alarmed and surprised that I, of all people, could get seriously depressed. What was going on?

preparing to dive in Ba

A diving job in Bali did come along, which lifted my spirits and rescued me from a dire financial situation. But for an attitude adjustment, I started reading several books on outlooks on life and success, how the mind functions, and how to control your own thoughts and feelings rather than letting them run you over.

One recommendation I found recurring in several books was the importance of gratitude. I was instructed to wake up every morning and think over all the things I was grateful for. I tried it out.

My list quickly became so long that I organized things into topics, each with its own list of 10 or more specific items I was grateful for. Soon I remembered so many things I was grateful for that I couldn’t go over all of them in one morning- it would take an hour!

So each morning I went through just one or two topics, rotating through them during a week, then starting over. What an amazing way to start the day: feeling happy, optimistic, and energized. And what great energy I also admitted to the world around me.

If you’re ever feeling down and out, neglected, or that life’s treating you unfairly, take a look at all the wonderful things YOU do have. Don’t just take them for granted. And definitely don’t focus on what you DON’T have or what’s wrong. Instead, intentionally shift your mind to think about all the wonderful things in your life.

Here are just some of the things I’m grateful for in this wonderful life on planet Earth:

NATURE:

Blue skies, clouds, sun, heat, wind, rain, storms, snow, trees, flowers, jungles, forests, ocean, beaches, sand, coral reefs, ocean fish and creatures, water, rivers, lakes, insects, cats, animals. The beautiful sights of nature and colors, the wonderful smells of flowers and leaves, the amazing sounds of birds, wind, water, and animals. The delicious tastes of fruits and vegetables.

Just by thinking of all those wonderful gifts of nature, I instantly feel alive, glowing and happy.
 

MYSELF:

I don’t mean that in an arrogant way whatsoever. I simply acknowledge the luck of my
‘accident of birth’, something most of us usually just take for granted, since most- but not all- humans are born ‘perfect’, physically and mentally non-deformed. But, don’t forget how utterly lucky that is!

To that end: I’m so grateful I was born ‘perfect’ with all my arms and legs, all my fingers and toes, my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my tongue to taste, properly functioning organs, intelligence so I can learn, emotional stability, unbounded energy, physical strength…

…and then a few things I’m pleased with: blue eyes, decent hair, athletically inclined body and mind. I’m also grateful that I’m self motivated, independent, focused and hard working.

What’s more, I’m lucky to be born as an American girl, especially since I’ve chosen a life of travel. I have a ‘golden’ passport and native English to speak to nearly everyone in the world. I’m assumed to be ‘wealthy’ wherever I go and am treated with respect, sometimes even privilege.

with my mom at xmas

MY PARENTS:

I’m so lucky to have parents who raised me in a safe, affectionate, nurturing, home. I’m so lucky to have grown up without abuse: no physical, sexual, or mental abuse. No drug or alcohol abuse. No disasters, deaths, injuries or accidents.

The longer I live and the more people I meet, the more I realize how lucky I was to have decent parents in a stable family. So many people grow up with abuse, neglect, or disasters of some sort.

What’s more I’m grateful to my dad for teaching me to love nature, hiking, camping, and traveling. For teaching me to not just follow the crowd, the norm, the expected way of life. I’m grateful to my mom for turning me into a dancer, teaching me to eat well, and to take care of my health.

with my good friend Chris Ho

MY FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES:

I truly appreciate everyone who has encouraged and supported me in any capacity over the years, those who’ve taught me new skills and ideas, who’ve helped me, or befriended me. Some I met in university, some in Japan. Some I’ve met out in the world on my travels.

Most recently I’ve met many amazing, positive, supportive and encouraging fellow travelers and friends online. Thanks for surrounding me with positive energy!

attending tea ceremony in Japan

LIVING IN JAPAN:

Still one of the very best phases of my life was the 6 years I lived in Kyoto, Japan. I made great money and saved to travel the world. I experienced so much amazing traditional culture, delicious cuisine, beautiful places, and wonderful adventures.

The Japanese people are the most polite, honorable, humble and respectful people I’ve ever met. And talk about exceptional customer service, wow!

look out point on Koh Phi Phi Island, Thailand

TRAVELING THE WORLD:

I’m so grateful for all my world travels thus far. Among my many amazing adventure, some highlights were cycling from Bangkok to Singapore, scuba diving, working on ‘Survivor’ Reality TV show, Myanmar and Thailand and Singapore and Bali, the beaches and islands of south Thailand, dance parties on beaches and city clubs, the Amazon….

AVOIDING A ‘HUM DRUM’ LIFE:

I consider my life entirely a success by the sole fact that I have not done ‘the norm’: get a job, get married, have kids, get a house, buy things, and pursue the American dream. I’m not knocking it for anybody who really wants that and considers that a life success. But it’s definitely not for me, at all. I am so grateful I did not do any of that. I feel free.

cheers to a wonderful life!

MY LIFE RIGHT NOW:

I love writing stories, editing photos, making photo galleries and calendars. I love sharing my travels with people.

I love all the great, positive, fun people I know in the travel blog community and online. I’m healthy, fit, happy, and enjoying my life.

In summary, thanks to the earth and all the wonderful places, experiences, things, and people in this world. It’s a fantastic place to be!

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Q: What are you most grateful for in your life?
 
How often do you remember to appreciate the wonderful aspects of your life?
 
How has gratitude itself helped improve your life?

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