I am Thankful that I am Alive Today.

I submitted this to a "why I am thankful" content at my employer about five years ago.  Facebook reminded me of it. I thought I would share it here. 

When I look through all of the different medical problems me and my family members have had, I am thankful that God has blessed physicians with knowledge and ability to save our lives from removing brain tumors to conducting heart catherizations, to creating safe blood clotting factor. Even decades ago I am sure that myself and my family members would not be alive without this technology.

God has blessed me to live in one of the safest times and in the safest country in of all human history. We have clean water and great public sanitation that helps protect us from many diseases. While I still have to lock my door at night, my family and me are blessed to live in a democratic republic that values civility and social order. Strangers take turns at stop signs and hold the door for each other. Even with our political differences the vast majority of us are committed to making our communities safe places to live.

I live in one of the most prosperous times. While I would like a better house, I have a simple house with electricity, running water, heat, and air conditioning that 90 percent of the world would consider a mansion.

There will be times of dissatisfaction. There will always be times where my problems will seem bigger than other times. There is always the temptation for me to dwell on what I think is wrong with this world and this country today. There will be times where I do not think things are fair. There will be times where I would like to have some of the luxuries that richer people have. But I realize that I have a choice . . . realizing that today I live at a great time and in a good place in human history and for that I am thankful.