The temptation to be morose these days is on par with gravity for me. It is like an unseen law of the physical universe that I cannot escape, always pulling me to a darker depth of some sort. Even my writing takes on a darker tinge then I would prefer. Rest assured I am not falling to pieces etc. I do find and appreciate the outlet in poetry and some experimental prose I am working on.

Still darkness has a way of taking hold if you are not absolutely vigilant and I definitely try to be. I am always intrigued by its impact on others. Like every emotional state it is wildly catchy…like a terrible flu others who spend much time around you can begin to take on the same state. I try to fight it with every fibre of my being. I hate being depressed. I spent much of my university years in a constant state of depression. It wears you out and everyone close to you as well. It is not too strong to say I hate being sad or dark or morose.

I find that getting outside is a huge help. Prayer of course. Writing. Talking with others. These are all good things for me. I remind myself that there is so much to be thankful for. It is amazing to me that I need to be reminded of this. I live in the less than 1 percent of the human population that holds virtually all of the wealth of the world while the remaining 99 percent live in or close to poverty. Sobering statistic.

While I may feel financially pinched I have shelter,
I have a four bedroom townhouse,
I have food,
I have a car,
I have clothes,
I have a computer,
I have a stereo,
I have kick-ass speakers,
I have a DVD player,
I have 700 books,
I have the best children in the world,
I have faith,
I have art,
I have an iPod,
I have a job,
I have friends,
I have a mother who loves me and sisters and brothers who love me as well,
I am healthy,
I still have (some of) my hair,
I have a Journalism diploma,
I have a Bachelor’s degree,
I have a Master’s degree,
I have lived in Florida,
I have thoroughly traveled five continents,
I have fired handguns, rifles, sub-machine guns, heavy machine guns
I have thrown grenades,
I have been within two feet of the Queen (and taken pictures),
I have been a boxer, felt the thrill of the fight, and won,
I have seen the rings of Saturn and the great spot on Jupiter with my own telescope
I have climbed an Incan pyramid,
I have driven through the desert,
I have seen a panther in the wild,
I have seen a diamondback rattlesnake in the wild,

I am a king in comparison to the world. What are my troubles when held up to those of the nearly 7 billion other people who eke out a living around the world? They are empty in comparison. It is the thinking on these things that acts like helium to me, lifting me from the bonds of this dark gravity, giving me a more vast perspective, and reminding me that I have been blessed with an embarrassment of riches and opportunity.

Time to smile.