Being healthy. It really is the foundation for everything and when you are not, it disrupts everything.

I would definitely have to say my wife. She inspires me to be a better person and my life has been exponentially better since I have known her. Don’t get me wrong, the relationship has been a LOT of work. But every ounce is worth it. And I would not have had the chance to be with her without my dad teaching me a solid work ethic. That with my patience/persistence/determination has gotten me to so many better spaces. I’ve definitely learned to highly value those good people around.

الحَمدُ لِلّه

Living with someone who has the same aspirations, the same pace of life, the same progressive ideas, but also mutually accepting and supporting our differences

My spouse, and child, who make my life feel valid, needed, and loved. Thanks to them and their constant encouragement I have a life worth living. 💜

The knowledge that for as much bad stuff we get up to, humans can accomplish truly mindblowing things. I think about it a lot in the context of science/technology and knowing that much of the tech that I use daily and take for granted is tech that people couldn’t even dream of just a couple decades ago. Excited to see what the future has in store on that front.

the smell of frying onions

The fact I live in a safe, progressive country. I am thankful I have never had to worry about day-to-day assault, gun violence, poverty, police brutality, lack of healthcare and education. I’m grateful my parents migrated here before my birth, otherwise I think my life would have looked very differently. Things aren’t perfect, of course, but compared to many developing countries I just feel incredibly glad to live here.

I have wonderful people in my life, but the first thing that comes to mind is music.

My family as a whole. I’m extremely grateful and happy to have such a good & close family. This includes my direct family, in-laws and friends (who really are official family as god parents now!)

That I have absolutely nothing that seriously worries me.
Of course there’s the usual annoyances and minor road bumps in my life. But I have no major family problems (outside of some squabbles, but who doesn’t have those?), I’m healthy (enough), I earn enough to get by without having to live from paycheck to paycheck, etc.
When I hear or read about other people’s problems, both on large and small scale, it makes me appreciate that my life is just… boring.
I appreciate it a lot and really hope it will continue this way for both me and my loved ones.

I hope this doesn’t sound too selfish. I do feel for those of you who are not as lucky and hope things will get better, whatever your troubles may be.

For now, I get to live alone. I crave that solitude, the ability to close the door to my house and shut the rest of the world out. Many people my age are not afforded the same circumstances - I hesitate to call it luxury because privacy is a human right.

I appreciate experience itself above all. I been through some bs in my time, and have become fairly jaded in the process, but I have learned to appreciate every feeling I get to experience for what it is. Anything past dead is icing for me. Not everyday, but I try.

The advantages that I’ve had.

I know that l there will always be challenges and life will never be easy. I also know that it could be so much harder.

Suffering will surely come and there has been suffering that has passed. It creates a bright contrast to what luck I do have.

I really appreciate my “people”. My spouse because he allows me to be myself and encourages me to chase my dreams. My parents are hella supportive and are absolutely my heroes. My brother is a wonderful, antisocial soul like myself and we share a love for movied, TV shows, and our hair ☺

My health. I am so unbelievably fortunate to have a baseline of good health. Both physical and mental.