Being Thankful

This should be an everyday occurance. Unfortunately, many of us don’t give ourselves 5 minutes a day to reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Many are too caught up in aggressively pursuing the next rung in the ladder of life to be satisfied.

Here at the end of November, Thanksgiving in the US gives us a specific day to forget about the hubbub of the world and spend quality time with family and friends. We’re not talking about “making the rounds” and fullfilling the obligations of the “routine” of the holidays. It’s about spending time with people you care about because you actually want to and showing them how thankful you are for their love and friendship. Only you know if you actually did that.

I am thankful everyday of my life for what I have. I am thankful for the health and safety of my friends and family. For the memories I have of those near and far, living and deceased. Without them, who would I be?

This year has been a fantastic year. Or, perhaps all past years have been just as fantastic and this year, I’m actually aware of the fantasticity… Anyway, I’ve made many new friends this year… rekindled friendships with many old friends, too. Continued strengthening great friendships; evolving them to a deeper level of knowingness. And I watched my family grow older and more mature and more beautiful than ever.

Today, I wanted to give thanks to my friends who proactively make a difference in this world. They work hard and are unselfish about their contributions. These friends know that these contributions are just the right thing to do.

To my friends who are in the eye of the public - thank you for being grounded and spreading knowledge and kindness to others without expecting anything back. You are giving and kind - I am honored to have you as a friend. Keep blogging, doing seminars, talking at symposiums, doing demonstrations, teaching classes, and sharing your life experiences.

To my friends who are unsung heros - thank you for all that you do for others, day after day, where most days, you don’t get a thank you. Thank you for having strength and compassion to relentlessly give to society and not hestitating to give more. You are a special breed that this world can’t do without. I am proud to stand beside you and call you my friend. Continue helping the needy, cleaning up blood, feces, and urine when other cannot do it themselves, building roofs and shelter for those who have asked for help, teaching the young ones who have found themselves lost in life, and loving strangers when no one else will.

To my friends who find themselves in neither of the above categories - thank you for reading this blog. Thank you for spending a few moments to reflect on yourself. I wish you good luck on your journey in finding yourself.

Thank you, my friends.

I'm curious

I’m curious.... Is it a good thing to be who you are and be comfortable in your own skin? After all - you are who you are. Nothing can change that but you.

Is it a good thing to not really care whether “they” like you or not? After all - it *is* your life; not their’s. Those who care will appreciate you for everything you are and everything you’re not.

Is it a good thing to live life out in the open, totally free, and genuinely happy? After all - living in a self made prison makes for miserable living. You only live once.

Is it a bad thing to let someone know you admire them for a quality they possess that you haven’t quite excelled in? In the end, this is your teacher. You will learn to improve yourself and excel in life from them.

Is it a bad thing to keep your true inner secrets a secret except from the rare few you let into you inner circle? In the end, everyone has drama, but not everyone needs to know your drama.
Is it a bad thing to take your time getting to know people for everything they are and to have hope that they give you the opportunity to know them? In the end, running before knowing how to walk will cause you to trip. You may never stand up again.

Self-confidence is not an intimidating characteristic. Arrogance is. Self-reflection and self-preservation is not indecisive or self centered. Bending to peer pressure is. Laughing at yourself is not a characteristic of low self-esteem. Stating falsehoods to identify with people is. Talking straight to someone is not mean. Sugar coating and beating around the bush is.

I’m curious… what are your thoughts?