5 THINGS WE CAN BE GRATEFUL FOR IN 2022

It seems like this nightmare of a pandemic will never end. I remember quitting my locums assignment in March 2020 because I had no protective equipment and all the patients assigned to me had respiratory complaints. I knew if I didn’t leave, I would ultimately catch “the coro”. So I ended my locums contract. And then day by day more details unraveled about the state of the nation’s health, economic, political and race affairs. I stayed glued to the TV screen awaiting guidance and updates on masks, sanitizer, PPP loans, race riots, and elections. My husband, the historian, tried to convince me that it would take a few years before things would get back to normal. A few!? Absolutely not. I had hope that, no doubt, by the summer of 2021 the latest, surely the new president would have corralled us back into humanitarian order. Well here I am with my Christmas tree lit and preparing for the ball to drop in a few days, ushering in yet another year wearing my N95 and avoiding people. My festive sequin dresses and feather and tinsel-adorned tiara on lockdown yet again.

I must admit that I have had a tough time in the past two years. After I left that locums job, all the agencies I contracted with had put their jobs on hold due to liabilities associated with the global hysteria. For the first time, I was unemployed. Then I lost my dear uncle and two eldest aunts. I had a miscarriage. I caught the deadly coro virus. And still, the optimistic little girl in me is eagerly awaiting a renewed world to emerge any day now, like crisp clean air after a snowy season, from underneath the billowing dark clouds of illness and hate ravaging the world.

It is unimaginably difficult to remain hopeful in the face of death and loss. Only those who have felt it can understand. What is even harder to do than hope and have faith is to show gratitude when you feel you have nothing. But those are just human sentiments. Time passes with or without our consent. So why waste it by holding onto fear, regret, animosity, pain, confusion, or apathy?

One morning during my devotional reading I found new meaning in James 1:2-4. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Just when intense despair began to sit comfortably with me, and I felt I lost the old confident, energetic me, in these scriptures I was reminded that I have everything I need to go on even stronger than before. This very is a reminder that my job is to trust that there will be an end to trouble and that my unwavering faith will be rewarded in due time. Between me and you, I’m still working on the unwavering part. But I press every day.

We all experience trials and tribulation as part of our human experience. But trouble does not last forever. Try to look for the beauty in everything. Yes, even in heartache there is joy, and even in grief you can find peace. Be thankful for your cozy home. Appreciate your working car. Acknowledge your ability to see, hear, feel, and taste. So you’ve lost a love. Some have never known true love. I encourage you to find the optimistic version of yourself and invite her/him into your mental space everyday.

If you have had a difficult stretch for any reason at all, here are five things even you can be grateful for. Try expressing gratitude for these things everyday as we enter into the new year and see how this gratitude exercise transforms your mind and spirit.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

James 1:2

1. Your life: If you are reading this right now, you are alive. Tomorrow is not promised to us all. There are people who are in a hospital bed slipping away. There are others who have been given only a number of days. And here you are sipping tea and reading this blog. Just be thankful.
2. Your family: family constitutes the people in your life who love and support you. They can be trusted to have your back when you need it. You can call or visit them when you feel lonely or afraid. These relationships are vital to life because we were not created to live in isolation. If you have these people in your life, whether by blood or not, you have family. Be grateful for them.
3. Pandemic: The value of essential workers was highlighted. Many employees resigned permanently and started their own profitable businesses. Work from home became a new viable work option. Families were able to spend more time together with their children and spouses. Unequally yoked marriages ended. Many babies were born. Toxic friendships ended. Long lost families reunited. Self care became cool. Creativity was reignited in jaded professionals who couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Busy people slowed down having nowhere to go. Gardens were started. Youtube channels began. New careers were embarked upon. Nationwide movements for equity & inclusion began. Necessary discussions on race were had while racist criminals were convicted. Hopefully something in this pandemic moved you in a positive direction. Be grateful even for this.
4. Medicine: Whether you are for or against vaccines, let’s face it, they are saving lives at this very moment. Let’s here it for Monoclonal antibody infusions, messenger RNA vaccines, boosters, Paxlovid tablets, Molnupiravir pills, zinc, vitamin c, and the wonderful scientists who continue to work hard to find solutions and cures to deadly diseases. This is not a debate post, but a gratitude post.
5. Internet: I have a newfound appreciation for slow living. It is a concept where people literally slow down to experience every day moments in the hopes that this will bring more joy, peace, and fulfillment in their lives than if we rushed through and outsourced every thing and task without the mental capacity to absorb it. One would assume fast internet would go against slow living. On the contrary, the internet has proven quite helpful in my endeavors to live more intentionally. I used to be a shopaholic, shopping after work, on weekends and when I should have been doing other things. Now, I have freed up my time by ordering my essentials online. Im also grateful for the internet in my life for being able to share my thoughts and creativity online. I’m a shy person so blogging has been cathartic for me. I can also talk to my patients and keep medical notes online. Work can now be done remotely with the internet. I can keep watch over my house with my security cameras. I can have family zooms and see the faces of distance family and friends. The internet has been a platform for people to learn literally EVERYTHING! People can make a living by sharing their knowledge online. You can also learn skills that will change your life. I learn blogging, photography, and painting online. My cousin learned how to drive watching Youtube! I’m not saying this was the ideal pathway to his license, but the internet has provided equity to so many people in so many ways. With all things, I limit my internet consumption and share gratitude for this transformative invention.

I’ve listed five things everyone can be thankful for. But the reasons are truly endless. I hope this post stirs up many reasons for you to show gratitude as we enter 2022 this week. Please share in the comments!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18