I Should be Miserable Right Now, so Why am I Thankful?

I should be miserable right now.

I have every right to be.

You see, I just came in after walking 2.6 kilometers in the rain, drenched even though I had an umbrella to a co-working space where I’ll have to work despite the noise of the people drinking and singing in the bar area.

But I can’t get myself to be grumpy.

Or mad.

Sure, it’s cold.

And I’m a little wet but there are more things to be thankful for than to stay mad and not work.

First, this isn’t something I have to do every night. I’m thankful that I work for a wonderful company that has provided me with everything I need to deliver my services while I work from home. They even provide me with trainings that further enhance my skill set.

So why complain?

PLDT may be down but that’s no reason for me to be down in the dumps.

At least I get to go out once every blue moon. The only setback, tonight was a rainy night.

Instead of Being Miserable, Why Not Think About the Things We Have to Be Thankful For

We live in a time where convenience is a given. And I appreciate it a lot.

Comfort is everywhere.

But what happens when it is taken away?

Even for a millisecond?

I see rage.

Angry posts online.

Raised voices.

And for what?

A little suffering?

What about the things we have to be thankful for?

If the internet is down, doesn’t it give you a reason to be more in touch with family and friends offline?

If you have to walk a kilometer, doesn’t it give you a little exercise?

Working in a co-working space allows you to see some people outside of your closed circle and maybe give you an opportunity to network.

I can’t help it.

Oh don’t get me wrong, I do get irritated if the little comforts are taken away. But, I don’t dwell on it.

I just try to find the silver lining.

Maybe as a way to delude myself that things aren’t all that bad.

To make me feel better about my current situation?

Sure.

It makes that irritating, highly-optimistic person in the room who’s all happy-happy joy-joy.

But I wasn’t like this a few years ago.

I was one of those who’d scream, shout, stomp my feet when things went bad.

But then I realized it’s not worth it.

Dwelling on the idea of stressful things and trying to change uncontrollable events in my life just wasn’t going to do me any good.

At worst it was just going to raise my blood pressure and increase my risk of succumbing to it.

So Yeah, I’m Thankful for a Lot of Things.

I’m thankful for work and being provided for in terms of equipment and training. Thankful for non-toxic workmates.

Being healthy enough to walk in the rain.

Thankful for having a family that inspires me to work and be the best at what I do every day. Inspiring me to go above and beyond by taking on projects that have long-term effects.

Thankful to be living in a city where coworking spaces abound and walking in the dark is safe.

Grateful for the jacket my dad gave me last Christmas, I was finally able to use it. At first I really didn’t think it was going to be useful because I no longer really needed a jacket for work like when I used to back in my call center days.

Thankful that I participated in 2024’s Madayaw run which resulted in discounted Nike running shoes that are still serving me well to this day.

Fortunate to see a snake cross a few meters ahead of me signifying that there’s still a fine balance between the urban and rural life in Davao. Unsure about what snake it was but based on previous encounters, it was most likely a python. But still unsure.

Happy to see that Pete’s Point is back in operation although I didn’t stop over because I had work to get to. I don’t get to play much music these days but it’s great to see that one of the earliest places I gigged in is back on its feet.

Glad to have a sandwich, a cup of noodles and a tumbler full of coffee in my backpack for my “mid-day” snacks.

Happy that my dad taught me that adversity brings out your true character. Or if it isn’t your true character at least you try to bring out what you want your true character to be.

Happy to have outgrown my spoiled, complaining, whiney, young self and become this less spoiled, less complaining, less whiney old man.

I’m just happy.

Despite being miserably wet.

And all because the internet went down.

Not bad.

A lot of good things I’ve come to realize from one irritating discomfort.

Still Miserable? What are the Things You Should be Thankful for?

So… what are you thankful for?

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Tata!