The Giving of Thanks
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” –Frederick Keonig
This past weekend, for those of my readers who are from different countries, was Thanksgiving in Canada. If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I am a firm believer in showing appreciation to all those who positively impact our lives, I believe that a compliment is wasted when it is spoken behind someone’s back, and I also believe that thanks should be extended year round rather than limited to one day. However, far be it from me to turn down any excuse to have some time off work to spend with my family enjoying a hot meal together.
So, in honour of this excuse to verbalize what we are grateful for, here are some things that I feel thankful for and hope never to take for granted.
Family
“We have three kinds of family. Those we are born to, those who are born to us, and those we let into our hearts” - Sherrilyn Kenyon
They may be biological, they may be adoptive, or they may be friends that you have deemed kin. Either way, they are family. They are those who care for and support you unconditionally, they are responsible for many a fond memory, and many a lesson learned. They give you a sense of home just as they love and accept the identity that is uniquely your own.
Friends
They are the fun times you have in your life, they are the people who 'get' you and who make you feel like less of a black sheep in this crazy world. They make you laugh when you are sad, and they keep you going when things are difficult. These are the people you choose to surround yourself with and it is for a darn good reason.
Living Situations
You have a roof over your head, some food in your stomach, and heck, if you're reading this you even have Internet. Not too shabby! Don't take it for granted, some people have far less. Don't forget to look away from the screen and get outside now and again. As I type this, I'm on a bus driving past the multitude of colours that is a Northern Canadian autumn and I must say, I am very grateful for this breathtaking beauty. I am also laughing because the girls in high-school used to call me nature lady so they are surely laughing at my mention of nature.
Roommates
Whether you are as close knit as me and my current awesome roommate are, or you are simply good at respecting each others space, having a good roommate is something to be thankful each and every day you don't wake up to some unknown smell or step on something crunchy or gooey that was left on the floor. There truly is something to be said about having someone you can share the bills with and watch movies, cook/bake, or play games with, especially when that time spent together involves hot cocoa and Firefly! Did I mention I have an awesome roommate?
Opportunities
Whether it be the fact that you were able to attend school or travel the world, the opportunities we choose to seize contribute to the people we are. They are contributions to be appreciated with an awareness that they are opportunities that others struggle to receive and may still never get. Think of what you have, how you got where you are, how many things you have been able to scratch off your bucket list, these are all opportunities we often appreciate in the moment but later take for granted.
The Little Things
After a long day at work, you get home, you drop your things by the door, head for the fridge for a quick snack, and follow it up with a nice hot shower. Some people struggle just to find jobs, some are paid very poorly for their work, some have hardly any food in their fridge, let alone a snack, and others have never known a hot shower in their lives. What about those nights when you are actually able to sleep through the entire night and wake up rested?What about the gift that someone gave you that happened to include bubble wrap? What about those puns that make you chuckle? What was the last thing that caused you to smile?
These are things we take for granted every day. Things like waking up in a bed instead of on a floor or sidewalk. Things like being able to answer a stomach growl with a warm meal, things like the phone we answer, or the pets we can afford to have greet us at the door. Things like a family who love us and friends who would be there for us in a moments notice.
They say you don't know what you've got until it's gone, but why wait? Take a moment to think of ten things you take for granted. Think of another five things you don't take for granted and are grateful for. When was the last time you expressed gratitude over these things either verbally to those who have caused them, or otherwise to the God's, Goddesses, or Sciences you believe in? When was the last time you truly appreciated all that you have, felt that moment of humbled awe for all that you have been given or had the opportunity to earn in this life
Remember, Thanksgiving need only serve as a reminder to take time out of your busy schedule to spend with the friends and family you love. Thanks should be given each day that you draw breath for each of those days is an opportunity someone else may be without.
So, in honour of this excuse to verbalize what we are grateful for, here are some things that I feel thankful for and hope never to take for granted.
Family
“We have three kinds of family. Those we are born to, those who are born to us, and those we let into our hearts” - Sherrilyn Kenyon
They may be biological, they may be adoptive, or they may be friends that you have deemed kin. Either way, they are family. They are those who care for and support you unconditionally, they are responsible for many a fond memory, and many a lesson learned. They give you a sense of home just as they love and accept the identity that is uniquely your own.
Friends
They are the fun times you have in your life, they are the people who 'get' you and who make you feel like less of a black sheep in this crazy world. They make you laugh when you are sad, and they keep you going when things are difficult. These are the people you choose to surround yourself with and it is for a darn good reason.
Living Situations
You have a roof over your head, some food in your stomach, and heck, if you're reading this you even have Internet. Not too shabby! Don't take it for granted, some people have far less. Don't forget to look away from the screen and get outside now and again. As I type this, I'm on a bus driving past the multitude of colours that is a Northern Canadian autumn and I must say, I am very grateful for this breathtaking beauty. I am also laughing because the girls in high-school used to call me nature lady so they are surely laughing at my mention of nature.
Roommates
Whether you are as close knit as me and my current awesome roommate are, or you are simply good at respecting each others space, having a good roommate is something to be thankful each and every day you don't wake up to some unknown smell or step on something crunchy or gooey that was left on the floor. There truly is something to be said about having someone you can share the bills with and watch movies, cook/bake, or play games with, especially when that time spent together involves hot cocoa and Firefly! Did I mention I have an awesome roommate?
Opportunities
Whether it be the fact that you were able to attend school or travel the world, the opportunities we choose to seize contribute to the people we are. They are contributions to be appreciated with an awareness that they are opportunities that others struggle to receive and may still never get. Think of what you have, how you got where you are, how many things you have been able to scratch off your bucket list, these are all opportunities we often appreciate in the moment but later take for granted.
The Little Things
After a long day at work, you get home, you drop your things by the door, head for the fridge for a quick snack, and follow it up with a nice hot shower. Some people struggle just to find jobs, some are paid very poorly for their work, some have hardly any food in their fridge, let alone a snack, and others have never known a hot shower in their lives. What about those nights when you are actually able to sleep through the entire night and wake up rested?What about the gift that someone gave you that happened to include bubble wrap? What about those puns that make you chuckle? What was the last thing that caused you to smile?
These are things we take for granted every day. Things like waking up in a bed instead of on a floor or sidewalk. Things like being able to answer a stomach growl with a warm meal, things like the phone we answer, or the pets we can afford to have greet us at the door. Things like a family who love us and friends who would be there for us in a moments notice.
They say you don't know what you've got until it's gone, but why wait? Take a moment to think of ten things you take for granted. Think of another five things you don't take for granted and are grateful for. When was the last time you expressed gratitude over these things either verbally to those who have caused them, or otherwise to the God's, Goddesses, or Sciences you believe in? When was the last time you truly appreciated all that you have, felt that moment of humbled awe for all that you have been given or had the opportunity to earn in this life
Remember, Thanksgiving need only serve as a reminder to take time out of your busy schedule to spend with the friends and family you love. Thanks should be given each day that you draw breath for each of those days is an opportunity someone else may be without.
With that, I wish to reiterate my appreciation and thank all those from around the world who take the time to read my posts. Thank you and shout out to every single one of the wonderful people from Canada, the United States, Portugal, the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, the Ukraine, France, Poland, Russia, Turkey, South Korea, Romania, Ireland, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Spain, China, Germany, Thailand, Norway, Myanmar (Burma), Kenya, Vietnam, and anyone else who may decide to read this. Thank you all for encouraging me to keep writing this blog each week. I may not know your names but I certainly appreciate and welcome your virtual presence.
Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler
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