Turn Your Own Wheels

27. Animals (their existence); biodiversity; being alive to witness a lot of animals before they are extinct. (It’s kind of a dismal thought, but just because I’m focusing on gratitude doesn’t mean I’m lying to myself and all the diverse species are going to live forever and ever.)

28. People who are kind to animals… I always think of Richard Ogust, who, basically, sacrificed his own life to save thousands of endangered turtles by keeping in his own NY apartment. I am grateful for the existence of people who give a damn enough to actually give something up for those who can’t fend for themselves. (It’s actually a very sad story… you can watch about it in this film.)

29. Having a sense of humor; humor

30. Toastmasters - such an affordable, fun and effective way to gain confidence in public speaking

31. Animation – the power of making our own reality. (All storytelling, really.)

32. Music.

33.  Progress in understanding Alzheimer’s. This NYT article explains that the disease actually spreads from “brain cell to brain cell like an infection” through a particular protein.

[This discovery] indicate[s] it may be possible to bring Alzheimer’s disease to an abrupt halt early on by preventing cell-to-cell transmission, perhaps with an antibody that blocks tau [the protein].

34. Women’s Lib – Thanks, ladies of the past (and men who fought with them) for fighting for the rights I have today.