This post has almost nothing to do with self-improvement or dating. So feel free to skip this message entirely if that's what you're expecting.
However, it has everything to do with being a compassionate, aware human being. Which is the real purpose of these articles, as some of you may have gathered by now.
Right now, on the opposite side of the planet from where I am, millions of Iranians young and old are flooding the streets in protest. Why? Because they stood in line for hours to vote for what they believed in, and someone decided that their votes didn't matter.
The regime shamelessly shut down text messaging, websites and all reporting, just so it could have its way.
Iran is the world's youngest country. Over 70% of its population is under 30. And frankly, they're tired of old fogies telling them how to live their lives.
Our country here, the US, ain't perfect -- the occasional voting irregularity has happened and will happen again. But our model of peaceful transition of power and freedom of expression is still pretty darn good.
So today, on my gratitude log, one of the five items I put down for which I was grateful was "open means of communication." It's quite a privilege, if you think about it.
Amongst hundreds of privileges we don't think about every day that the average Iranian kid doesn't have. Like throwing a party with your friends without getting harassed. Walking down the street in the dead of summer in short sleeves. Or shorts. Having a beer. Having your hair uncovered if you're a girl. Surfing the web -- all of it. Writing a blog without getting tossed in jail. Dozens of other little things.
So on this day, which also happens to be my birthday, give yourselves a little gift. Say a prayer for the youth of Iran in their moment of crisis -- for all the unarmed kids who got beat up and shot at just for wanting to be heard. Pray for their protection, safety and resolve.
And if you want to make gratitude a daily practice, join the Gratitude Experiment at www.taoofdating.com/gratitude. It's a 30-day, totally free program which basically sends you automated email reminders every day to jot down a few things you're grateful for.
The idea is that, after doing it for 30 days, it just might become a habit that sticks. Hundreds of you have already joined the experiment. It takes 2-3 minutes a day, and it makes a big difference. Trust me on that one.
In the meantime, check out this lucid 2 minute video on what's going on over there in Iran. It may be the most powerful two minutes you've spent today.
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