My birthday was last week, and, as ever, I greeted the day with excitement and joy, and not a little gratitude.

I am sometimes sarcastic and sometimes philosophical, but this occasion called for a simple stock-taking of all the reasons having another birthday is a great thing.

1. I live in a free country (no, let’s not get into the flaws of democracy and capitalism today).

2. I am part of a family. Two, actually!

3. I am physically healthy.

4. I have traveled beyond my country and beyond my continent, and explored cultures different from my own.

5. Traveling outside of my comfort zone has taught me to appreciate and respect other cultures and customs.

6. It has also taught me to love my own.

7. I will rarely, if ever, be expected to compromise my beliefs and values.

8. I feel safe most of the time.

9. I have found my soul mate.

10. I am able to educate myself in whichever career I choose.

11. Though I know the American Dream is a fallacy, I feel capable of being all I can be, if I choose to work for it.

12. I don’t have money or rich relatives, and though my finances often threaten to give me ulcers, I somehow know it will all be alright in the end, if I have my man, my people, and my wits about me.

13. I have a roof over my head, old and crooked as it might be.

14. I am intelligent enough to be capable of many things.

15. I have access to libraries full of great knowledge and history.

16. I have a job. Being employed is easily taken for granted, until you’re unemployed and struggling to find income. Be grateful!

17. I have had many champions and mentors, and am fortunate enough to have continuing relationships with them.

18. I have a home where I can host family and friends and exercise my gift of hospitality.

19. I own not one, but two vehicles, one of which was a birthday surprise that will continue to delight me for years to come.

20. I live in a time where technology allows me to stay in touch with friends and family far and wide. Perhaps the same technology is making us all lonelier, but I treasure its ability to connect me to others.

21. It might be limited, but I have access to all the clean water I need.

22. I am able to grow my own food, even in the city.

23. Pastry. That’s all.

24. I live in a beautiful part of the world: rolling hills, great lakes with lovely beaches, delicate and subtle flowers in the spring, fertile soil for gardens and crops, reds and golds of changing leaves in the fall, forests with walking trails, rivers, ponds…

25. I am blessed with many wonderful friends. You know who you are. Thank you for being in my life!

26. Nieces. I love ADORE those girls! I can’t get enough of them. I wouldn’t mind a nephew, too… someday.

27. Blogging. Even though it means I have all but completely neglected proper journalling, I really enjoy these electronic snippets!

28. I am grateful for the abundance of good food available to me. By “good” I mean both delicious and of excellent quality.

29. This one is purely frivolous, but I appreciate the way my complexion suits many different hair colours. I’ve enjoyed being a blonde, a redhead, a brunette, and several shades between.

30. Despite how frustrating the ignorance of some people can be, there is a part of me that knows it takes all kinds to make a world, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have to meet so many of them.

31. Lastly, you. I am honoured to be read by a dedicated few and occasionally by many strangers. To all of you: thanks for making this endeavor worthwhile!