Thoughts on Thanksgiving Day....

Thanksgiving day 2007... Wow, this year has passed by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday it was April, and I was going on vacation after just ending my relationship of a year and a half with my ex.

So much has happened since the calendar read January 2007. Most of it has been rather unpleasant to be quite honest. This is definitely a year I wouldn't want to have to go through again. Many lows, and dark times surrounded me as I tried to come to grips with the breakup, and a myriad of other things that came my way. From financial troubles, car troubles, and hassles with work. You name it, it was probably happening at some point in time.

But despite all that I have a lot of things to be grateful for. I think each and every one of us do, it just takes looking at the big picture as a whole rather than the minute details.

What am I grateful for? Well, let's see:

• I'm not cold, wet, or hungry.
• I have a roof over my head in a safe neighborhood, and food in my cupboards to eat.
• I have water that is safe to drink flowing from my tap.
• I have clothes to wear, and shoes on my feet.
• I have a vehicle that is going to be paid off in April after 5 years of suffering an almost 500 dollar a month payment.
• I have a stable job.
• I have good health , and health insurance.
• My father's surgery went well, and he is healing quickly.
• I am heading home to San Antonio next Friday to see my family and host my parents 50th wedding anniversary party. (While I'm home I'm going to see about the job that I've been chasing after and ask when the hiring freeze will be lifted.)
• I am of sound mind.
• I am loved.
• I am maturing, and learning to be a friend to myself after years of being my own enemy.

Are things the way I want them right now? Not by a long shot... But, at the risk of sounding Pollyanna, things could be a hell of a lot worse.

I could be over in the middle east getting shot at, fearing for my life like a ton of military personnel are right now.

I could be homeless, penniless, and completely alone like many people are on this holiday.

I could be injured, or sick and dying in some lonely hospice, or hospital room.

But, I'm not... I'm sitting here at work earning double my normal hourly rate because it's a holiday, sipping water and typing on my computer. Like I said, it's all about perspective.

So, to all of you who read this, I wish for you a happy and safe Thanksgiving. May you be with those you love, and who love you. And take a few minutes to just sit and reflect on the good things you have in your life, because you do..

Peace