On New Year’s Eve, a renowned writer sat at his desk. With a deep sense of reflection, he picked up his pen and began jotting down some of the most significant events that had happened to him over the year.
He started with his gallbladder surgery, after which he had been bedridden for several months. Then, he noted that he had turned sixty and was forced to retire from his position at the publishing house where he had worked with passion and dedication for thirty years. He didn’t forget to mention the pain of losing his father and the disappointment that his son couldn’t begin his medical studies due to a serious car accident.
At the bottom of the page, he wrote with a heavy heart: “What a terrible year!”
His wife, noticing his pensive mood, walked into the room. Sitting beside him without saying a word, she read what he had written. After finishing, she quietly left the room. A few minutes later, she returned with a piece of paper and placed it next to her husband’s.
The writer picked up the paper and began to read:
“This year, as it comes to an end:
- I recovered from the excruciating pain caused by my gallbladder, which I had suffered from for many years.
- Turning sixty found me in good health, and retiring now allows me to fully dedicate myself to my creativity and the new books waiting to be written.
- My father lived a long and fulfilling life of 85 years and passed away peacefully, without pain.
- Our son survived a car accident without lasting injuries and recovered quickly.”
At the bottom, the letter concluded with the words: “What a beautiful year, where blessings triumphed over hardships!”
The writer felt a wave of warmth in his heart. He realized that everything depends on perspective and that instead of counting misfortunes, we should pause to give thanks for the blessings and lessons they bring.
“Just one minute,” he thought, “that’s all it takes to change everything. Just one minute to see the bright side of life.”
