Blessings on Christmas Eve

Do you ever get tired of people telling you to count your blessings?  It can be a bit trite, especially at this time of year when you are probably worrying about bills, family squabbles, getting off work in time to do the last bit of shopping and who knows what besides!  But if you can find your way out of the forest and start looking at the trees you can perhaps realize that you are indeed blessed.

            For one thing, you are most likely living in Canada which is possibly the safest country in the world to live in.  Too often we take for granted the fact that we can walk down the street in safety, drive where we want, shop where we want and pretty much say what we want.  Most of us, thankfully, have a job.  Food is readily available to us and there is lots of it in the stores.  In fact our country is pretty lavish in consumable goods.

            You probably have a friend you can turn to if only to listen to your woes.  As Jimmy Stewart said in “Winchester ‘73”, if you have one friend, you are rich.  I’m rich.

            Sometimes when I sit alone, staring at the computer screen and wondering what to write about, I will get a sinking feeling and wonder “who cares”?  We can all have moments of despair or loneliness but for most of us the feeling passes, luckily very quickly.  There are people that care, and I have a sense of humour to carry me through most things.  I hope you do too.

            Life is a roller coaster of a ride and sometimes we can hit some low spots; but even then, I do hope that you can take a look around you and find that there are blessings in your life.  My mother will quote a Danish saying “It’s never so bad that it isn’t good for something” and you know, she’s usually right.  Using an English truism,  “this too shall pass”, so if you are having a rough spot, a gloomy day or just feeling out of sorts, breathe deeply, go for a walk in the fresh air and think about what is good in your life.  Chances are you will find at least three good things to say thank you for.  Living in this country, having a job, and having family and friends to count on.

            I hope you have a good day!  For some this is Christmas, for others, one more sleep!