Counting Blessings in 70 Words

· Life-expectancy at birth: 37; still alive at 70! Survived Covid infection. No diabetes, high BP, or any serious disease, yet.

· Woke up this morning. Alive. Breathing normal. No heart or brain stroke during sleep.

· Brisk morning walk; uncompromised mobility.

· Trees blushing green after a night shower; vision unclouded.

· Heard Koel’s sweet song; hearing unimpaired.

· Enjoyed breakfast; healthy appetite.

· Mind still working; uplifting thoughts and pleasant memories pouring in.

How Blessed!

***

Postscript

Gratitude Quotes

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." - William Arthur Ward

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus

"The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness." - Dalai Lama

Two Contrarian Quotes

“Gratitude is a sickness suffered by dogs.” - Joseph Stalin

“Does not the gratitude of the dog put to shame any man who is ungrateful to his benefactors?” - Saint Basil

Readers’ Comments

Aditi Das Rout

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."

I asked Gemini for the source. It’s reply:

The quote you provided is from the well-known hymn "Count Your Blessings." The lyrics were written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897, and the music was composed by Edwin O. Excell in the same year.

For the lyrics and the song, here’s the link:

https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/articles/_count-your-blessings-is-a-reminder-to-be-grateful.html?lang=eng&hl=en-IN#:~:text=%5B1939%5D%2C%20262).,Excell

Ambika Khatua

Nazar mat lagaiye apne aap ko !!

Me: Alas, if my mother were around, she'd rush to apply a kala tika on my forehead!

Ambika: True! Therefore, in her absence, the onus is on you!

S.P. Tucker

You are 55 not 70 !!

Me: Thanks, SP. I'll add that to my blessings. Maybe, I should say it in 55 words!

SP: Do so. Encourage the group.

Me: I dabble with words; you work hard to help people.

SP runs two Free Wellness Clinics at Hyderabad with focus on Type-II Diabetes Reversal through diet, herbal medicine, exercise, and yoga. He plans to launch a Wellness Boutique in a few months.

Best wishes, Dear SP, for your commitment to healthy living and tireless endeavour to help people.

Prasanna Dash