Recently it was my twenty-first birthday. Back then, I started writing a list of twenty-one things that I’m very grateful for – things that I enjoy at the moment, are important to me, or have shaped who I am in various ways. Here are the first seven in my Top 21 – the rest will hopefully follow soon!
21. My birthday cards and presents!
A big thank you to all my family and friends who’ve been so kind to send me cards and presents and stuff.
20. Wales
“Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi” – even though it isn’t really the “land of my fathers”, it’s still very dear to me. I’m very glad of the country of Wales: the land, culture and language.
19. Discussion and Debate
I really enjoy the whole process of thinking things through, taking on board different ideas, understanding other people and trying to discover the truth. The Debating Society is one place where I do this, and I enjoy having a mind that enjoys thinking things through – I thank God for being a rational being (albeit a finite and fallen rationality).
18. The Internet
Yes, it can be a time-waster, but having so much information at my fingertips and such easy instant communication with people across the globe is truly amazing.
17. Language
What wonderful, fascinating and varied things languages are. From the ecletic mongrel variety of English to the ancient beauty of Welsh, the fascinating and wholly different character script of Chinese and the unique flavour of each and every tongue, I find language fascinating. I love the wonderful variety of words and expression in the English language, from “gallimaufery” to “scrumptious”, from “rumpus” to “sussuration”!
16. Flushing toilets
And all the other home comforts of living in a prosperous technological society at the beginning of the twenty-first century! Globally and historically, most of humanity lives in toil and hardship: for me to have all the leisure and comfort that I do is to be incredibly priviledged, and I pray I will neither take it for granted nor forget the majority who do not have such priviledge.
15. Cinema
Arguably the greatest artistic development of the twentieth century was the creation of the moving image as a medium. The sheer beauty and power of vast image, sound and story all combined together on the big screen is something I am immensly pleased to be able to experience in my lifetime.