This is the 14th day of August 2022. As usual, my first thoughts of this day are of gratitude. Turns out that studies now prove that being grateful not only improves your attitude, being grateful also improves your health. When you write down why and to whom you are grateful, the results are even better and longer lasting. One of the reasons I write this post. Today is Color Book Day, Gay Uncles Day (probably not celebrated in Tallahassee), Melon Day, National Creamsicle Day, National Navajo Code Talkers Day, National Tattoo Removal Day, National Wiffle Ball Day, and Social Security Day. Now to the section of the post on history: On this day in 1281 during Kublai Khan’s second invasion of Japan, the Khan’s fleet of 3,500 vessels disappeared in a typhoon. Wow. On this day in 1782 Suriname forbid selling slave mothers without their babies. In 1848 on this day the Oregon Territory was created. On this day in 1873 “Field & Stream” was first published. On this day in 1885 the British Criminal Law Amendment Act raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 to prevent child prostitution. On this day in 1912, US marines invaded Nicaragua. They would stay there until 1925. On this day in 1935 the Social Security Act became law. It was part of FDR’s New Deal. On this day in 1945 Japan surrendered unconditionally to end WWII. Since I started this post on the subject of gratitude, I’ll end with some quotes on the subject. Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Epicurus said, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once amount the things you only hoped for.” I’ll wrap up with Marcus Aurelius who said, “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.” I do my best to follow his advice. Abide.
