Counting our blessings Editorial Guyana Chronicle December 20, 2000 As the Christmas season of peace and goodwill is upon us it may be good to remind ourselves that despite our low per capita income, our declining educational system and our uninspired politics there are still a number of things we take for granted and for which we should be profoundly grateful. The first is the wide variety of people in our population. As had been shown years ago in our photographic series `The People of Guyana' there is among our people an endless variety of faces, a virtual mini-kaleidoscope of human kind. Look carefully again at the faces. On any but the most negative and reactionary calculation this must be a positive challenge, a promise of richness and complexity still to be fulfilled and realised and interpreted by our writers. Despite our coastlands being below sea level we are virtually immune from severe natural disasters. We have had to face some flooding when our poorly maintained sea defences give way but think for a moment of the dreadful earthquakes that have occurred on this very continent with their tales of human misery and the hurricanes that visit some of our island sisters almost every year like a plague. We have been relatively blessed. We practice our various religions with complete freedom and respect for each other. Anyone with the slightest idea of the painful and bloody historical progress towards the concept of secular democracy with no established religion and freedom for one's beliefs and religious practices will realise what an enormous achievement this is. We are blessed with a beautiful climate where the sun is hot but not blisteringly so and the sea breezes keep us cool. What wealth can match the beauty and grandeur of a cloudless tropical night with the stars shining in the firmament? It is a climate, too, that allows us to play cricket and other games for most of the year, quite unlike the situation in colder climes. Last, but no means least, we are living under constitutional government where the rule of law prevails, there are no political prisoners, political parties enjoy complete freedom of movement and expression, the various fundamental rights of citizens are respected and upheld and governments are accountable for their stewardship. There is much to be thankful for. Let us remember this and raise our spirits as we greet each other with fraternal respect in this season where the enduring message of goodwill to all men must not be forgotten. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today