In a world full of pessimism, anger, and narcissism, with the ability and freedom to publish anything, often without regard to the accuracy of the claims presented, it is often made to seem that the world as it presently exists is the worst it has ever been. In reality, the exact opposite is true.
From every perspective, there is reason to be thankful. From a statistical perspective, the world is overwhelmingly better. People are more physically healthy, materially well-off, and able to communicate, trade, and create than ever before. Just spend a moment on https://humanprogress.org/ and you’ll see that this is the best time period to be alive.
On a personal level, I know that I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a loving family, both on a nuclear and extended level, which recently got a little bigger (welcome to the world little cousin). I have access to unparalleled amounts of education and entertainment (and unfortunately for my productivity, the ability to binge-watch The Office and How I Met Your Mother multiple times a year). I get to listen to any kind of music I want, the minute I want it. I have friends and other people I care about. I am thankful for my church and wider community, and all the good work they do.
Another reason I am especially thankful is that just yesterday I spoke with a friend over the phone an ocean away. This was amazing and perspective-changing for a few reasons. The first is simply the wow factor in being able to talk to someone in western Africa from Saskatchewan. The call was done over Whatsapp and was no shakier than a similar call to Alberta or even to a nearby town. Not long ago, to get even a letter to someone that far away would have been difficult and slow. I got to hear my friends voice clearly and speak to him for an extended amount of time. This leads to the next reason I am thankful for what I have. He told us of his country and of its struggles. He spoke of political turmoil and cultural division. He spoke of how many of his countrymen had been displaced to other regions of their country or even neighboring countries. Many had their homes burned down or pillaged by the government or its allies. His church was trying to accommodate these new arrivals in addition to continuing their other efforts. Regardless of how one feels about the current governments in Canada and the U.S., the stakes are not nearly as high as they are there. Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau are not going to or able to do what the leader of a country like my friend lives in can do.
In summary, I know that I have much to be thankful for, and if you are reading this, you probably do, too. God bless.