Time To End 2023 With A Heavy Dose Of Gratitude

What a year, 2023! We say that at the end of every year. We have to ask ourselves whether things are better overall than they were at the beginning of the year? Objectively, things have deteriorated over the past 12 months.

While some events appear to be more of the run-of-the-mill, others are stretching credulity to the breaking point. Recent events speak to the latter.

We have a situation where antisemitism has gone mainstream in Western society, something we didn’t think would happen in our lifetimes. We saw surveys in the West showing that most young people in the 18-24 age category answered in the affirmative for the elimination of the state of Israel––absolute madness.

Then, just a couple of days ago, the Colorado Supreme Court, by a split decision, declared that Donald Trump could not be on the ballot for the Republican Primary because he is an insurrectionist. It’s not only wrong because he has not even been convicted as yet of a crime, but the state court is flaunting the U.S. Consitution. There is talk of other states jumping on board with this strategy. Apparently, anything goes when you’re out to get Donald Trump.

We have America being run by a feeble dementia patient who is propped up at every opportunity. The American President often slurs his words or appears hopelessly discombobulated as he tells Americans how great the economy is despite high inflation and relentlessly high interest rates.

Covid appears to be in the rearview mirror for most people, but for those who suffered the ill effects from the “vaccine”, there seems to be little recourse. So many lives have been damaged. Ron DeSantis and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. are the only Presidential contenders to have spoken out, but the media is complicit in portraying them as anti-vaxer nutjobs. 

Most things have stayed the same. Leaders such as McGowan in West Australia, Andrews of Victoria and ex-New Zealand leader Ardern have departed to greener pastures. They have paid no price for their oppressive ways but, in fact, have been rewarded with higher-paying jobs in the corporate sector.

Climate Change keeps being rammed down our throats. Canada is the latest to announce that it will ban gas-powered and hybrid vehicles by 2035. Freedom of choice will become a thing of the past. What’s next, banning meat consumption? Restricting speech so less CO2 is emitted? 

Just to put an exclamation point on the year, we had a video of two men engaging in sodomy in the U.S. Senate chambers––no, I didn’t watch it––which has been reported all over the internet. It’s almost as if America is no longer a serious country but a parody. The rest of the world is watching and chuckling. America, as a powerful force for good, is an illusion. By its very actions, the bad actors on the world stage are taking advantage.

Before we get too discouraged, taking stock of our lives and mentally reframing is essential. We cannot change what happens in the world outside. It doesn’t mean we don’t work to change the direction of the country in which we live. However, these are outside events. We have to stay true to ourselves. Part of that is having a Life Purpose.

Studies have found that Higher levels of purpose reduce the pathological effects of Alzheimer Disease and changes on cognition in advanced age.

When you have a purpose, you tend to set goals that align with your life purpose. We do this each year, and the Christmas - New Year break is an ideal time to sit down and review where you have succeeded in the past 12 months and what you can strive to achieve going forward. It is also a time to reflect on gratitude.

There is so much to be grateful for. 

I am grateful for the loved ones around me, both family and friends.

I am grateful for being able to assist people through body, mind and spirit.

Despite all the ills afflicting different parts of the world, the standard of living that I experience in Australia is so far beyond what most of the world is experiencing. Suppose you own your home and can get up each morning and do what you love to do rather than do something to survive. In that case, you are experiencing something only 5% of the global population gets to experience.

Research on the average global personal income shows it is $9,733 U.S. annually. If you earn $100,000 per year, you are in the top 10% globally. While money isn’t everything, it does allow us a degree of freedom to pursue what we love rather than what we have to.

We have an abundance of food and access to all the accoutrements of modern living. In many countries, the poverty rate is still 50% or greater. We really have little to complain about.

Despite some of the tyranny we experienced during COVID-19, we still have substantial freedom. In many countries, there is no freedom to express yourself. There are many countries where women are treated like chattels and where abuse of children is tolerated. In fact, democratic countries are a minority today.

So, we have a lot to be thankful for. Give yourself a healthy dose of gratitude this holiday season.

Merry Christmas, everyone.