This was what Shanghai looked like on a week-day in December. I think it was Friday, 13-December.
The PSI index that measures pollution is calibrated to a pollution score of 500. Anything above 300 is considered toxic. Shanghai, on that day, hit 504. I stepped out to buy lunch that day and found myself coughing for the rest of the day as some particles got stuck in my throat.
I have now added fresh air to the list of things I’m thankful for.
Now, my life isn’t perfect. Far from it. It is very likely that a colleague from China might just spend a couple of months in my life and go back with a list of things he/she is thankful for. That would be a great outcome.. because, the more we add to our “things to be thankful for” list, the happier we are.
I find it very easy to get sucked into a world of first world problems if I am not careful – cursing if the the internet is slow for a few minutes or the lifts are too crowded. This fresh air example is a nice reminder that there are so many things to be grateful for. I have a roof over my shoulders, don’t have to worry about my next meal – it’s a privileged life.
As I’ve been mulling about changes I’m making in my life as I think of the next 4 years, one thing I’d like to do much better is meaningful giving. I have experimented with micro-loans in the past but haven’t found it as satisfactory. I’d like to be more involved and I’d like to be able to see and feel the impact if possible. The funny thing is that this act of giving will probably benefit me more than it will the recipient as I’ll add many more fresh air equivalents to my list. Perhaps giving is simply the best gift we can give ourselves?
Back to the gratitude list then (I realize I’m rambling today. Sorry about that). I am going to leave you, and myself, with 2 questions for the weekend-
1. How often do we give thanks for all the gifts in our life? How can we do more?
2. Do you feel you give enough to those who are less fortunate? And if yes, do you feel it is meaningful?
A few friends and I are working on solving the 2nd problem at the moment. There will be more updates on Help2Grow shortly – stay tuned.
A Learning a Day 