This morning, I did something that was a long-lost art of mine, making short-crust pastry sausage rolls! This event is significant because it reflects a major priority shift. I have not baked for more than 20 years. How does baking relate to gratitude and shifting priorities?

For thanksgiving 2022, I want to celebrate having found the most precious thing in life. Yes, it took me many years, multiple twists and turns, and manifold wanderings.

First things first, let’s count some blessings.

I am enjoying my dream job.

Being a freelancer that offers services to help an organization in their business transformation journey; and works with people who care passionately about their clients.

I had gotten over COVID-19 with mild symptoms.

Other than some aches and pains, I managed to continue my work from home and isolate myself from spreading the virus to other people.

I completed my first year Ph.D. program with excellent grades.

Lifelong learning enables me to see the world from different perspectives and help me make sense of the meaning of life. Entering my second year assures me that my journey is continuing and there is more to learn.

I celebrated the family weddings of my two nephews and one niece.

My extended families remind me of the rich legacy of my parents and in-laws. Because of their hard work and resilience, they had raised a village of talented and responsible off-springs. They give me hope for the future and challenge me to continue to model the virtues passed down from my elders.

I am thankful for my family, friends, and colleagues.

They give me a sense of belonging as they offer a safe harbour for my anchor to rest, notwithstanding my stubbornness, perfectionistic demands, and blunt responses. Thank you for accepting me as I am.

Let me get back to the most precious thing on my gratitude list.

Simplicity.

I have come to understand and commit to a way of life that is outwardly simple yet inwardly rich. It turns out that this is not a “thing” nor something tangible like a diamond that can be touched, admired, and adored. It is a philosophy of living, well-being, happiness, and balance.

Author Duane Elgin puts it eloquently, “Voluntary simplicity is a manner of living that is outwardly more simple and inwardly more rich, a way of being in which our most authentic and alive self is brought into direct and conscious contact with living.” He continues to state that “The objective is not dogmatically to live with less, but is a more demanding intention of living with balance in order to find a life of greater purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction”.

Practicing intentional living prompts me to evaluate every decision I make.

·       Should I expand my business, or should I scale down my hours?

·       Should I go apple picking on my neighborhood farm or should I buy the apples imported from New Zealand?

·       Should I take time to bake homemade sausage rolls, or should I work on my thesis instead?

We are seeing the negative impact of the consumer culture in the West that focuses on perpetual GDP growth relating to issues to climate change, environmental pollution, biodiversity, social injustice, and income inequality. Many people have been seeking alternative lifestyles that break away from consuming and owning more stuff. A quick google search reveals the dramatic increase in the popularity of topics such as minimalism, decluttering, degrowth, green living, stepping lightly, transition towns, off-grid living, tiny houses, and van lives.

I am thankful for philosophers, thinkers, historians, and influencers who devoted their time to explore what makes life meaningful other than accumulating wealth. To live with intention and investigate the intersection of voluntary simplicity and spirituality will guide my path for the coming years.

Have you considered what truly matters in life?

What does your life look like if you chip away at all that is unnecessary?

What are you thankful for in 2022?