Alive, Loved, and Grateful

Gratitude is one thing we all must learn to show, being grateful for what we've got, how far we've come, and the like. We've all been beneficiaries of one blessing or another, whether we acknowledge it or not. I've come to see many people who rant all the time about how miserable or unpalatable their lives are, but then that doesn't mean they don't have anything to be grateful for in their lives. I, for one, have many things to be grateful for, and I don't really need someone to put a gun to my head before I recognize that, but for the sake of this prompt, I'd be sharing one peculiar thing I'm most grateful for and why.

In the event that someone points a gun to my head and then asks me to mention someone I'm most grateful for in my life, I won't need to think far before I respond to him because I actually have a handful of things I'm grateful for in my life, such as the privilege to be alive, the grace of having loving family and friends, and my job, amongst many others. So in the event that someone put a gun at my head and asked me to say one of the things I'm blessed with, I'd just easily pick one of the above-listed blessings I highlighted.

What I'll say as a response to that person is the number one amongst all for me, which is the gift of family I'm being surrounded with. Although we're not rich or have abundance when it comes to finances, what we've got is togetherness, and that's one of the greatest blessings I'm open to through my life to date and going forward. My family, which includes my parents, siblings, wife, children, and relatives, is a source of joy to my life, and each time I feel like I'm nothing, when I see or think about them, I know I'm rich in human resources. I know I've people who truly care about me and would go the extra mile for my sake.

I've been at different points in my life where everything seems not to be working, but my family always comes through; they don't neglect me, be it when I'm facing financial issues, in need of emotional support, or the like. The same is the case when someone in my family is going through such; I've, on several occasions, sacrificed things for my family, such as my time, money, and the like. My family are a part of me; they're my joy-givers amidst life challenges and difficulties, and anytime I've an opportunity and I'm asked to point out the best blessings of my life, it'll definitely be them.

Being alive is another reason to be grateful because it's not by my power or intelligence that I'm alive. There have been many occasions where I've been faced by different negative life realities, but one way or another I'm brought out of that unhurt, and that's why I usually look back and remain blessed for the grace to be alive in one piece, to be able to speak, to be able to walk, and several other things to make, but few. So regardless of what happens around me, my family is one blessing I'll always be grateful for.

All photos are mine.