Need to Give Thanks Every Day

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I’d like to think that I am always appreciative of my life. I have been exposed to so many more unfortunate people and events that to not be grateful for all I have would mean I’d have to be totally oblivious to my surrounding. If anything, I’ve been a bit anxious about all the good things I have in my life and how unfair it is that I have so much while others have so little. Beyond the trips and the relative ease in which I’ve lived, I also mean all the good people who are in my life, my health, the experiences that I have had, and the relative successes with all things endeavored(success is relative and maybe I’m being ignorantly bliss on this one but go with me).

Because of that ease in which I’ve gotten by in life, it seems like they will be just as easily taken away. From a detached perspective, it’s easy to be philosophical and come up with a cute little aphorism like: nothing in this life stays the same or to stop striving etc, but when you have a good thing you definitely want to hold on to it with all your worth. I look at all I have and it’s going to be an epic battle. And I know that this will eventually lead to sadness as all things do inevitably change and I will inexorably grow old and will have to deal with the impotent frustration of having the people I love, and physical and cognitive parts of myself slowly taken away.

And while this could be(read: is) really depressing knowing where I will eventually be, I view this as an opportunity to really and truly appreciate and enjoy where I am now. And that actually is all any of us can do. We can rail against the winds of change but I don’t think that’ll make much difference. We, however, can be thankful for all we have and have had and enjoy each and every moment that we have been graced with their presence. I don’t know when I will lose the things I love, but I hope when I do, I will have never taken them for granted or lost sight of how much they mean to me and what they have done to shape who I am today.

Being away from my family for today’s holiday, makes me realize how amazingly blessed I am. While it’s sad that I’m away, I really cannot complain. It’s the little things, like having this Internet connection (and electricity for that matter) to talk to my nieces and my family today. How, while physically apart, I am still with them in spirit.

So on today’s day of giving thanks, look around and be grateful for all that you have and show those that you love what they mean to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Danny