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It’s Chuseok in Korea and Kwanzaa in Africa. Here in Indonesia, the Idul Fitri tradition is the closest to what North Americans call Thanksgiving, a time to be with family and express gratitude for the blessings in life.

In America, it’s always the last Thursday of November. But no matter where you live, it’s always good to step back and give thanks to those around you and up above.

In that spirit, I asked friends and colleagues to tell me what they’re thankful for in this traffic-challenged, sambal-saturated, celebrity police world. I use only first names below, but you may recognize some respondents.

“I am thankful for every achievement, acknowledgement and progress in my career this year.” — Zilvia, university student

“What am I thankful for? My health, the gentle touch of a beautiful wife and to share Indonesia with my mother in her golden years!” — Richard, hotel general manager

“I am thankful for family and friends, especially my new ones in Indonesia.” — Ira, energy executive

“A second chance in life.” — Frans, hotel developer

“I am thankful for honesty in the face of hypocrisy, for the willingness to work hard when so many choose the easiest path, generosity instead of greed, for those who care for others and not themselves.” — Alistair, publisher

“We’re thankful that we have each other, getting stronger and still very much in love.” — Sammy and Dorothy, singers

“I’m thankful for our micro-entrepreneurs [SMEs], which contribute 90 percent of all employment creation.” — Sandiaga, business leader

“I give thanks to God for the good things in life, good health and for being blessed with wonderful friends who have showered me with love and affection.” — Tina, restaurant owner

“I’m personally thankful for having found true love right here in Jakarta, and professionally to see the issues of environment and sustainability gaining importance in Indonesia.” — Sakura, diplomat

“I am thankful for the wonderful family that I have, for the health God has given and to the profession that I have had for all these years that enabled me to create wonderful dishes to share with others.” — Vindex, executive chef

“What I am thankful for — once having a father who taught me not only about life, but also how to live life.” — Emma, office manager

“I am thankful for everything people around me have shown — love, sympathy, tolerance, forgiveness and even challenges.” — Young, ambassador

“I’m thankful for Indonesia to be so surprisingly accepting of what I have to offer to our culinary world.” — Vindy, personal chef

“I am thankful for the amazing and continuing adventure I am experiencing in Indonesia, mainly because of all the wonderful relationships I have developed here!” — Kevin, entertainer

“I am thankful to be given the trust by God to bring music to people’s hearts.” — Maya, harpist

Of course, I have a short list of terima kasihs too. I humbly submit them to the turkey god with all due appreciation. I am most thankful for:

— The absence of serious flooding the past few years.

— Credit card promotions at just about every restaurant.

— The great lucky draw prizes at the annual AmCham Thanksgiving golf tournament. I hope to be writing this column next year on a new MacBook Air.

— My absent-minded, but healthy 89-year-old mother, Elsie, who’s about to join me in residence in Jakarta.

— That I still get excited doing what I do, in a place where doing it is rewarding. And fun.

 
Hawaii native Dalton Tanonaka is the anchor of Metro TV’s “Indonesia Now” program on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m., and host of “TalkIndonesia” on Sundays at 9 a.m. He also co-anchors “ASEAN Today,” a regional monthly program that airs in Indonesia on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. He can be reached at dalton@metrotvnews.com.