By: Gentle Gardener Oracle
I bought a pretty expensive bottle of wine to celebrate the end of my work week and work year. I decided to bring it to my favorite bistro so I could drink it with a meal made by someone who can cook. I’m grateful for the wine and the meal. All worth it… I’m grateful to end the year with my detractors quelled and my enemies failing. Feliz Navidad to me. And, I’m grateful for good men. There’s a lot of them out there. We should remember that more often.
The end.
I’m grateful to my friend, Denise who taught me how to drink beer. I’m not as fond of it as other beverages, but it’s a safe bet in a sketch bar. I’m grateful a bar is next door to my mechanic. He doesn’t know it, but its location is the prime reason I seek his services. I can get a smog anywhere. And, I’m grateful I discovered the strength of detachment. You never see Buddha in a political protest.
As we await the big weather “event” here in California, I’m grateful for the light drizzle, and a few minutes to gaze out the window and marvel at the wonders of water. I’m grateful that even though I can’t bring my whole self to work, I bring my best self, and most fully-present self to work. My whole self? I don’t think anyone is really quite ready for that. And, I’m grateful that’s I’ve put in enough time this past month to finally be a tiny bit ahead at work and life. The stress of being behind is too much for me to take, and now that the big hump is behind me, I feel much more relaxed and in control. All things to be grateful for…
I’m grateful for vaccine mandates. We don’t live on Walden Pond. I’m grateful for supply shortages. It might do us all some good to not have our every wish fulfilled in less than 24 hours. And, I’m grateful for a cool day. Sometimes being grateful for good weather is all ya got.
I’ve had a bad cold for the past few weeks, and even though I’m grateful it’s not Covid, I’ve forgotten how miserable a cold can be. I’m grateful I’m almost over it. I’m grateful for the surprise thunderstorm. It washed away a difficult week, and it was so warm that I could rinse my hair (and myself) in it. The world is refreshed. Much needed. And, I’m grateful for alcohol, and even more grateful for bartenders.
The first day back after a long weekend is always a little foggy. Today, I’m grateful for a quiet day and that most of my teammates are on the East Coast. We can slay the dragon tomorrow. I’m grateful for a more solemn Labor Day than in year’s past. All of us have felt the shortage – for good and bad – and it has changed our habits and perspective. And, I’m grateful that I have a few more months to accomplish my New Year’s goals.
Q4 begins this week, and as the days grow noticeably shorter, I’m reminded of where we were last year. No Vax, Trump chaos, high unemployment, facing an uncertain winter, and 20 years of war. I’m grateful for change and how much can change in just a year. Life before Covid seems like a hazy childhood memory, now. 
I’m grateful for my shower. Nothing takes the edge of a bad day like a nice hot shower (and a nice cold drink). And, I’m grateful for all my computers.
I’m grateful I’m highly employable. It’s pretty much the best thing you can be. I’m grateful I have spent decades interviewing clients, and evaluating their projects. People might not be as unhappy with their work if they did more interviewing and less accepting. #greatreshuffle And, I’m grateful for chicken club sandwiches. Isn’t everyone?
I’m grateful we are leaving Afghanistan. Ending that ‘war’ is the reason I voted for Obama. Maybe now we can find out where our $2 trillion dollars went. I’m grateful I decided to cut-back my schedule. No one likes to say no, but I just have to… And, I’m grateful the days are getting shorter. I’m looking forward to autumn.
I’m generally optimistic, but I work in a bad-news business so I’m grateful I only have to talk to people on video. I’m grateful there are about a million more jobs available than there are people to fill them – and it’s going to stay that way for a while. This is as significant as the end of monarchy and the rise of the nation-state. And, I’m grateful Cuomo resigned.
365 Days of Simple Gratitude 