The Ring

To many people, my ring is a cultural ornament that I’m always wearing. To me, it’s a constant reminder of how blessed I am.

A silver piece of metal molted and embedded with nine different stones, supposedly to shower me with blessings from the divine planets. It took me a while, but I guess I finally understand what blessing means in my own terms.

People work all their lives to buy something they think is valuable. To some people it might be a house, while for the rest it may be a diamond necklace for their loved ones. It’s funny how over the years, wealth has become an indicator of how blessed you are, or at least how blessed you feel about yourself. I know, I’m definitely guilty of this.

My American friends here celebrate Thanksgiving, as a day of remembrance and deep gratitude for everything they have. One day every year dedicated solely for giving thanks. Truth told, I wish Malaysia celebrated Thanksgiving, perhaps all those unnecessary political chatter would cease if people just realize how blessed they really are.

It’s impossible for me to list down all the things that I’m grateful, but these are some that I truly appreciate:

1.   I’m thankful for my parents who are the only ones in the world that can put up with my ridiculous spoilt brat nonsense I give them.

2.    I’m thankful for my elder brother who is always there to remind me to live my life and don’t worry about my future too much

3.    I’m thankful for my scholarship which enabled me to be here in America and learn things I never imagined

4.    I’m thankful for my friends, who inspire me to be a better person

5.    I’m thankful for my teachers and professors who have given me more than just homework to take back home

6.    I’m thankful for the janitors, cleaners, and staffs that keep the place I stay clean. They are truly the unsung heroes.

7.    I’m thankful for the conflicts I have in my life, because I’ve learned so much about myself

8.    I’m thankful for my dogs who keep my parents company, while both my brother and I are away from home

9.    I’m thankful for the random strangers I’ve met in gas pumps, airport, railways, and everywhere else that has pointed me in the right direction if I’m lost and even keep me company

1. I’m thankful for my ability to smile, even if I’m having a bad day, because I know me smiling would make someone else happy.

  

I don’t know whether my ring truly brings me blessings, but what I do know is it reminds to appreciate the things I have in life, in other words contentment. For that, it will always be a blessing.

So what is blessing? It’s the ability to know what you have and appreciate it while it’s still with you.