Have we lost our sense of appreciation?
 

Last night as I sat down with my wife for yet another lovely dinner I remarked that we are indeed fortunate, regardless of this worldwide event.
We have a home, food on the table, good health, healthy kids and grandkids, still able to do many things safely.

Then I read the discussions on TOTV and the subjects people are concerned about and I just have to shake my head. Are golf problems, market value, carts, seating at bars, lawn care that important to everyone? Have any of us had to stand in line for hours for food handouts? Make a choice between medicine and food? I would bet that 90% of the world's population would gladly take our places. Let's be thankful for what we have and not make "things" and $$$$ our main focus. If you would like to help someone perhaps you could donate part of that (probably not needed) stimulus check to a foodshelf.
Let's step back and show some appreciation for our good fortune!!!

....apparently it's SO MUCH easier to complain, moan, find faults, point fingers, be angry, grumble, whine, and generally be a glass-is-half-full (or empty) person.

I always say that if I would open a ToTV thread saying "what a beautiful day in The Villages", some would mention a cloud, wind, or certainly dog poop.

We are so fortunate, and so appreciate that every day.

Too often the minority (not race) seems to get all the play and often extrapolated to represent the general condition.

The posts/points are well taken. Most of us do feel fortunate and do appreciate every beautiful day here in TV and every where else.

Villagers are among the most spoiled people on earth. Beautiful clean parklike environment, nice homes and cars, amenities for miles, and most are retired with nice SS and pension checks deposited into their accounts each month. For some reason, a lot of them like to complain about something.

No way! The vast majority of us Villagers work their butts off to live in a place as nice as TV.

So you’re complaining about people complaining.

The whole world works their butts off, only a small percentage gets to retire in their 50s and 60s to a comfy lifestyle.

I was remarking to family members last week that I'm very grateful for my life. Born to a working class family who loved me. No poverty. Always had plenty to eat and a roof over my head. Was never abused, physically or sexually. I wasn't even bullied as a child. I quit jobs I hated and easily found others. No one mistreated me because of my race. No pogroms for me.

Yes, there's been sorrow and pain and I have a genetic disease that takes a physical toll, but honestly? I feel like I've pretty much floated gently through life, sometimes buoyed by my own hard work but also simply by happenstance and good fortune.

None of that precludes me from indulging in an exasperated rant every once in a while!

AMEN.:pray:

I am very pleased to read many of these posts to my thread this morning. I think there are many people who are thinking in an appreciative manner and perhaps don't think it is necessary to express these feelings. Thank you all for the replies. I'm getting my "sense of appreciation" back.

As I enjoy flying, I do look to the skies quite often and found this yesterday above the Lake Deaton Methodist Church. Called the church to ask if they knew anything about this message in the sky. They new nothing but were as pleased as I to see it.

Food for thought based upon a previous life experience. Be careful about donating money and question where it goes. If donating to a food bank why not purchase the food and donate it. I hate to be a buzz killer but many times a cash donation can find it's way to drugs and alcohol. I had a friend that was a salesman in a not so good part of a city. The usual hey buddy can you spare some change for something to eat was common. MY friend was one of the most kind hearted person I ever met. His response sincerely was I won't give you cash but let's go to the diner and I'll buy you a meal.

Yesterday about 1pm, walking back from the postal station, saw a plane write "TRUST" in the sky with the white smoke trail.

Well stated, clarinet.

I just returned from my barber, a one-man-salon, that is taking appointments.

He was without revenue during the month of April; and decided, what the heck, let them arrest me.

I totally understand.

I am so blessed.

I tipped him heartily.

Very very true

The simplest way not to have to deal with complaints and complainers is don't go on an internet forum and stick with reading The Villages Daily Sun. Maybe The Villages Daily Sun should start a new Happy Time Forum? This is The Internet. That's what happens on The Internet and it's been that way since Al Gore invented it.

If you waited till Monday you wouldn't have been a felon. :D

Totally agree with you & thank you for reminding us. Best wishes to you & yours.

You wouldn’t have been able to post that if Al Gore (or someone else) hadn’t pushed to have it opened up to everyone except government, education, and computer companies as it was when I first started using it in the 80s. AND, it was like that before Al Gore changed the world in the 90s. There were what were called “flame wars” on Usenet. There were flamers, trolls, and spammers back then.

YES! i saw that, too. pretty cool, i thought. best part was not a cloud in the sky.

Thank you for your post. I have been saying it even before the virus that we are very fortunate and complaining about mundane things tells me you have too much time on your hands that could be used in something productive. Stay Safe.

A lot of people move to the Villages because of the active lifestyle it provides. While it is nice to enjoy all the OP mentioned, the activities and sports need to get back open so that people can get back to their preferred activity. A lot of people are here because of the quality of the program in The Villages. Softball is a perfect example. There is no program in the country that compares. If they are not going to offer it, then there is no reason for me to be here. I can play other places and live in a less expensive community. Your style may work for you but not for everyone. I appreciate what we have and can enjoy, but being locked down is not for me or a lot of others when it is not neccessary. Stop thinking selfishly about what makes you happy. TOV is for complaining, at least that's what it appears to be for.

Right on!
 

This is the best post I have read on TOTV in a long time. You are right on. Too many people who think they are experts in every area are too willing to tell us what is wrong with everything in TV. Get a life. Yes, it is nice to be able to live in a nice community, with my wife of 58 years, and enjoy a comfortable life. We got to this point with lots of hard work our whole life. We lived through WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Polio, severe hurricanes on LI, viruses and other tragedies. It was not easy and we feel very badly for all those who lost their jobs or incomes, including some of our family. AMEN.

We are lucky to have what we do here, but we did work hard to get the amenities that we have. :clap2::clap2::clap2:

The plane also was flying over our office on Heald Way on Thursday. We got this message as well as many more. It was very uplifting.

We are truly Blessed living here!

I too looked up and saw the "sky writer" writing his message and thought how lucky are we that someone decided to do this

we just need to roll with all of this...it isn't going to last forever

find joy in what you have...and give what you can to those that are in need

sometimes it takes a 'near death' experience for people to treasure what they have

LOL:1rotfl:

Some people complain....others prefer to "comment".

Well, I busted my butt in consulting for 40 years, leaving the house at 3 AM on Monday and getting back in 10 PM on Fridays....working on admin tasks on Saturday, ready to go to bed at 7 PM Sunday.
So, if I earned the right to be a little spoiled....then.....EXCUSSSSE MEEEEE!

I took a lot of BS in 47 years of work.....so excuse me if I feel like I've earned a little bit of perks - having a nice pristine environment, friendly people, lots of recreation opportunities, the "privilege" of being able to dine out a couple times a week instead of jamming a ham sandwich in at my desk during "lunch minute" - so yeah, its my turn. If you call that spoiled, then you've had it way too easy

I help family first - relatives back in NJ who have been laid off from the casinos - sent my stimulus check to my brother, and my tax refund to my sister. Charity starts at home.

Interesting video on YouTube, not political!

Tomfoolery - The Great Realisation | Facebook

Breath, Breath.
The OP had a nice post about appreciation, not attacking you and your privileges.

There are millions of retired hard workers.


Like the OP said, "Let's step back and show some appreciation for our good fortune!!!"


:ho:

There are ALWAYS people who must look at the negative side of anything. They are happiest when they make others unhappy. I happen to have a relative like that. So much so, that I cut off all contact with them. There will always be nay sayers in the world and no amount of "positive think" will change them. I am a positive thinking person and shy away from negative people.

Completely wrong! The whole world does NOT work their butts off. AND that is exactly why only a small percentage gets to retire to a comfy lifestyle!

Disneyland for adults. Gotta admit I'm spoiled. But also understand that we're in some tough times. I'm just going to relax and wait it out. Let people act the way the want and I'll choose my actions and participations. If I complain does that help or do I just get more upset. And if that's the case then who's problem is it really? In due time we will be back to normal and we'll have many more things to complain about. Like they dont change the pretty flowers enough.
Awww the good ol days.

It was just last night that, during a Zoom meeting with a group called Faithful Friends, we commented that we now have an opportunity to sit back, realize how unbelievably fortunate we are and turn this pandemic into a growth and maturity adventure. We recognize how blessed we are to have, not only the environment that we have to live in, but more importantly, the great friendships that are available to all who wish to connect or reconnect.

I have posted this before, but you kindly remarks prompts me to post it again.

1. There are no bombs raining on our heads
2. I am not a prisoner held in solitary confinement, as millions are.
3. I am not a refugee trying to escape with my life.
4. I am not standing in line waiting to fill a pot of water.
5. I have access to fresh food and I'm not starving.
6. I have hot running water.
7. My country has not been ruined by years of war.
8. I can reach my friends by phone and check in on them.
9. My friends check in on me because they care about me.
10. Any whiplash I feel about this strange turn of events is itself a sign of privilege.
11. More than half of the world would gladly trade their everyday problems for the modest inconveniences I am experiencing.
12. I may have anxious dreams but I'm dreaming them on a proper bed and I'm not sleeping on the sidewalk.
13. By staying at home, I'm helping the planet rest.
14. As long as I have my mind I can create, imagine, dream and not be lonely.
15. This global crisis connects me to people around the world and reminds me of our common humanity. This is a good thing.
16. When something tragic happens to another country next time, I will respond to it not with superiority, but humility and recognition. 17. I will fight for positive changes and economically just policies in my own country.
18. I am surrounded by books.
19. I am surrounded by love.
20. The tulips have already begun to bloom.

Well said & completely agree!