This Thanksgiving season, I'm feeling a bit reflective.
While I frequently get irritated about injustices in the world, I'm also reminded of many things that have fallen to my benefit, and to the benefit of many - most - Americans. You can even extend that claim to most of the 'First World.' You know, nations like the U.S., Canada, many Western European nations, as well as Japan, Australia, and South Korea, among others.
Is everything always rosy in these countries? Certainly not! But people in these countries generally have the time and energy to worry about things other than farming to eke out a hand-to-mouth living. This extra 'bandwidth' is, in itself, a luxury.
Don't believe me? Just look at all non-human species. Or, if you prefer, look at the lot of most people throughout human history.
Things that have irked me recently include the abysmal CEO-worker pay ratio, conspicuous consumption (which has gotten a rocket boost from social media, though Thorsten Veblen coined the term in 1899, so the Internet is clearly not to blame!), and the elevated prices of what used to be called 'starter homes.' Oh, and avocado toast guy shooting off his big mouth again (though that was a while ago).
But it's important to remember the positive things too!
I'm thankful for numerous blessings in my life, which include:
- Family
- A stable job
- The easy availability of high-quality information
- A historically stable country (politically and economically)
- Luxuries that we normally take for granted, like air conditioning
- A healthy body and mind
- Financial security
