Thanks: an expression of gratitude.

Another year has passed and another Thanksgiving is here.  A day for ‘Thanks’, a day of reflection, a day for family.  Yet this year the day crept up quickly and it doesn’t feel like it once did.  Why?  The world is a crazy place, the news confirms that.  I lost my best friend and love of my life, so this is the first Thanksgiving without him, and I have had the misfortune of having to deal with some really bad people.  The idea of giving ‘Thanks’ this year seems more of a challenge for me than usual.  I wrote a list of all the good things in my life and some not so good, and by the time I got to the end, I realized I have many things to be thankful for.  Sometimes we need to see them in black and white to recognize them.

Things I am thankful for 2015

1. My family even those who are estranged from me because they were all part of my journey.
2. Health for without it, nothing else matters and unless you have faced catastrophic sickness head on, you tend to not appreciate it.  Not a day goes by that I don’t thank the Lord for continued health of my loved ones.
3. Home is where the heart is and where memories are made.  A house doesn’t matter as much as a home does.
4. Friends are those people who love you and support you not matter what.  I am blessed with incredible ones.
5. My team of professionals who have carried me through a difficult year because they believe in truth, respect and are willing to fight for it. They renew my faith in humanity.
6. My dog because sometimes all that matters is the unconditional devotion of a furry friend who’s enthusiasm for me is contagious.
7. Adversity because without it the good times wouldn’t seem so special.
8. God for  my journey is guided by Him.  I believe I can handle whatever comes my way because God gives me the strength and resolve to face anything.
9. Truth because it does matter.
10. Differences between people because it means I stand for something I believe in and not everyone has to agree.
11. Respect is being mindful of differences and acknowledging those differences.  Today there is too little respect in both the world and within families. If families cannot respect one another what chance is there for the world?
12. Kindness extended to me and my family.   The random acts of thoughtfulness and support from family, friends and strangers give me hope.  I have faith that those who harbor hatred in their hearts will one day learn what kindness is.
13. Forgiveness for people who are hurtful and hateful towards me and my family.  I cannot live a life holding onto grudges because that says more about me and has little to do with those who try to hurt me.
14. Peace is the ability to take myself to the eye of the hurricane when the storm gets too rough.  Life can be tough, but we choose how to handle it.  I choose to seek peace.
15. Perspective allows me to reflect upon the life that I have lived passionately and draw upon my experiences in order to keep things in perspective.  Don’t sweat the small stuff nor the small people.
16. Karma because I know what we put out into the universe will come back to us tenfold, so everyday I strive to do good and know everyone eventually gets what they deserve.

Happy Thanksgiving!