We are in the midst of the beginning of another whirlwind holiday season with Thanksgiving, Christmas and then the New Year not far behind and that can mean for any of us time to enjoy ourselves or times of stress and exhaustion. I myself have worked hard to maintain the right state of mind after just finishing up on Thanksgiving weekend. It is all too easy for the wrong frame of mind to turn the holiday season into a time of reckoning to makeup and mend fences with family, friends and colleagues through excessive gratitude and giving that feels unnatural when only done once annually. In recent years, I have really tried hard to show such gratitude all year long so that the holiday season can simply become a time of thankful reflection.
So here is my simple list of things I am thankful for this holiday season:
- God
- A loving family
- A patient wife
- Good friends
- Good health
- Books and learning
- Great mentors
- Everything chocolate
- Family vacation
- Summertime in Michigan
- The appreciation of time while I still have some
- Music
- Barbecue
- Birthdays
- The memory of my Dad
- Good food
- Great conversation
- Watching my children play sports
- Ubuntu
I am sure that this list could be much longer or consolidated into something shorter. But the truth of the matter is it doesn't really matter because it is my list and the things that I feel very grateful to have in my life. What are you grateful for in your own lives? I sincerely hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, a full plate and the love and warmth that comes with being around the people who feed you body and soul. Happy Holidays!