by Charles Hugh Smith, Of Two Minds:

Gratitude as medicinal balm–a little goes a long way.

Of the many things I’m grateful for, the most important are: after 50 years of work I still have my health and more work than I know what to do with; good friends; family; freedom, opportunity, the good fortune that a very few of the many stupidly contrarian / high-risk bets I’ve made actually paid off, and I have a garden and a library. (“The man who has a garden and a library has everything.” Cicero)

Here’s a few everyday things that I give thanks for:

1. My readers, correspondents, patrons and financial supporters: Of Two Minds exists because of you.

2. Everyone who supports independent thinkers and creators. On behalf of every independent creator of content, thank you.

3. Everyone who serves the public and maintains a friendly attitude despite the difficulties of their job and a general lack of appreciation. I’ve been there behind the counter, and I thank you for your problem-solving and positive attitude.

4. Opportunity. Life requires decisions, trade-offs, sacrifices and adaptation when things are no longer working. A reader who managed to extricate himself years ago from an oppressive, dictatorial regime and make his way to the U.S. submitted this comment a decade ago:

We live a very simple and happy life. It is amazing to see how most Americans do not have a clue of the unlimited opportunities we all have here. Most people want ‘instant gratification’ and they are not willing to sacrifice to get what they want, instead they choose to live above their means and go into debt for the rest of their lives.

5. Being average or below-average. It’s really OK to be average, or even less-than-average, as in slow and untalented. Why? Because if you manage through discipline and effort to work up to average, you will have achieved far more than the gifted child of the elite who achieves success without developing self-discipline and without an appreciation, all too often, for the inner wealth of integrity and compassion.

6. Thrift: use it until it shreds / falls apart.

7. Inspiration:

8. When all seems lost… a dramatic reversal:

9. Wildflowers.

10. Rainbows. (Honolulu mauka)

11. Redwoods.

12. Magic.

13. Handmade leis.

14. homemade pizza.

15. Dessert.

16. Camping in national parks: Glacier National Park.

17. Yellowstone National Park: tent camping, first snow of the season.

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