Gratitude
It really feels good to give thanks, genuinely. I’m grateful for the life that I’ve had so far. I feel like I won the lottery in life. I’m still concerned about a lot of things, but I'm grateful.
Every day is a good day to be grateful. So today, I really want to take some time to express my gratitude for everything that has happened, is happening and will happen in my life. I understand this is a very broad statement, and you might be tempted to ask me if I will still remain grateful for the unpleasant things that might happen in my life in the future. Yes, I believe that everything in my life happens for a reason, which ultimately is to help me become a better, stronger, happier and more fulfilled person. Unpleasant things will always remain unpleasant, but they too can be channeled positively.
I’m grateful for the life that I’ve had so far. I feel like I won the lottery in life. I’m still concerned about a lot of things, but I consider myself so lucky because I don’t get to lose sleep over anything.
I have a beautiful woman that I get to share my life with. I couldn’t have asked for more! She motivates me, supports me, encourages me, puts up with my many shortcomings, and most importantly helps me become a much better person. She sacrifices herself so much, that I don’t get to think about so many things. In our home, things just magically work because of her. I never take her for granted, and I’m so lucky to call her my wife. I am so grateful for that.
I’m grateful for my adorable daughter. She’s a very adventurous toddler that wants to try out so many things; she gives me lots of opportunities to chase her around, and stay fit in the process. She’s also super-smart. It gives me a lot of joy to watch her learn new things. Every opportunity I get to teach her things or read to her feels like a blessing.
Recently, I had reason to frequent the hospital. It is perplexing to wonder how a place can simultaneously and alternatively be a source of joy to some and a source of sorrow for others. People are born there, and people die there. People are carried in there sick, and people walk in there healthy. In there, some people laugh with a lot of joy and happiness in their hearts, while others cry uncontrollably, their hearts heavy and saddened with the loss of a loved one. I am grateful that my most recent visits have been positive. I walked in there healthy. I witnessed the birth of my son, an experience that filled my heart with a lot of joy and happiness. It’s been a few weeks now, but I remain very grateful for the gift of my son. Even though all he does is eat, sleep, cry and poop, his very presence in our lives is so amazing. We are convinced that he, just like his sister, will be great.
I am so grateful for the gift of life, and for good health of mind and body.
I am grateful that I get to do the job that I love. I learn new things every day, get to challenge some of my deep-seated assumptions, broaden my horizon and constantly push myself out of my comfort zone. I’m grateful to be working with very smart, inspiring and genuinely good people who make everything so much fun.
I am grateful for my friends. Very few things are as refreshing as genuine, authentic friendships where people want the best for one another.
I am grateful for my parents (3 of them still with us, and one of them smiling down at us from heaven). Words cannot describe all the great things they’ve done for me, all the sacrifices they’ve made for me, and how much of an example their lives have been and will continue to be.
I’m grateful for my siblings. Even though sometimes I feel like knocking their heads together, and many times I give them very good reasons to roast and bury me alive, they are still the kindest and loveliest people I know. I love how we can still joke around, laugh, and help one another with things, important or not.
I’m grateful for the rest of my family (grandparents, siblings-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunties, god-children, etc.).
I have met a lot of people in my life, many of whom I remember neither their names nor their faces, and some of whom I’ve lost touch with. In all honesty, I have no recollection of any unpleasant interaction with any of them. For that and many other things that I may not remember now, I am very grateful.
I don’t get to say this often, but I am grateful for those people out there that build amazing things that change my life almost on a daily basis. I’ve read books, used software, bought devices, watched movies and documentaries, encountered cultural artifacts and listened to people that have changed my outlook on life and blown my mind away.
I could go on forever, but I will end the way I started: I am genuinely grateful for everything that has happened, is happening and will happen in my life.
What are you grateful for in your life?