At this time of year people are expected to list the many things in their lives for which they are thankful. Taking time to count your blessings is a good thing. I have a long list of things that fill my life with joy and meaning.

Yet, there are many things that I would deeply appreciate: I’d love to see world peace. I’ll settle for respect and civility among those in my neighborhood, my county, my state and my country. We’ve really gotten way off balance when it comes to treating each other decently. We don’t have to agree on everything, but the very least we can do is not attack those with whom we disagree. From politicians to kids on the playground or on Facebook, bullying is no longer acceptable. Nor are lying, stretching the truth, playing “gotcha” with video cameras and publicly embarrassing others for millions to see. Stopping this would make me grateful.

I’d love to see every driver use his or her signal light to give other drivers a clue as to where they are headed. Charles Kuralt once wrote, “You know you’re in a small town when the person in front of you doesn’t signal and you know where they are going anyway.” Whether we live in a small town, on a farm, in a larger town or even a big city, we need to realize that people around you are not mind readers. Give them a hint by using the signal. That would make me grateful.

Cell phones and all the other new electronic gadgets were great inventions. They each have many useful purposes. I don’t believe that inventors intended that the use of cell phones in public to let everyone in hearing distance know about a perfect stranger’s love life, grocery list or mean mother-in-law. I own and use a cell phone but try to do so in a very limited way. Not having to hear conversations that don’t affect me would make me very grateful.

Having alleged news commentators interpret what we’ve just watched and listened to is offensive. We do not need to be told about the hidden meaning behind a speech. We can see and hear for ourselves. If we didn’t get the message as it was delivered, we probably weren’t paying attention. We may have been waiting for a “talking head” to explain it. Taking responsibility for our own thoughts and deeds would make me exceptionally grateful.

The economy has tended to increase tensions. When you don’t know if your job will be there tomorrow, or you’ve already lost your job and have not found one for months, you have a right to be worried about your future. If you have a family to care for, your worries are multiplied. Our many wonderful agencies that help people in need are feeling more than a pinch, they’re feeling a huge punch. They are doing more with less and wondering how long they can keep on. Lending a helping hand, no matter how small, can take a little pressure off. Now, that would make me fantastically grateful.

Robson, a freelance writer in Whispering Pines, can be reached at outreachnc@connectnc.com.