In everything, give thanks. And be okay.

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." - Epicurus

I find it easy to feel grateful  and say thanks, when things go according to my plans. When everything falls into place and I'm left with this wonderful feeling that life is good. The real challenge is when things take a turn for the worse and giving thanks is the last thing on my mind. When this happen, I'm more inclined to feel angry and frustrated. And sometimes, indulge in pity party, which is not a good idea. It takes a conscious effort on my part to see past all the negative feelings and look at the bigger picture.

"I've started to look at life differently. When you're thanking God for every little you - every meal, every time you wake up, every time you take a sip of water - you can't help but be more thankful for life itself, for the unlikely and miraculous fact that you exist at all." - A. J. Jacobs

Things happen for a reason so I've heard. Life won't always be easy and there are things I can't control no matter what. Still, I have a lot to be thankful in my life.

The chance to see this view is reason enough to be thankful.  Just proves I get to live another day. :-)

H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G !!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm not going to expound at great length about the history behind Thanksgiving. If you're curious enough, you can look it up ( like, Google it ) on the Internet. I come across this annual event, from books I've read and movies I've watched. Little did I know that I get to experience it first-hand. There's really nothing extraordinary about it, other than to give thanks, I suppose. Families usually have get-together ( of course, if respective schedules permits ). Turkey dinner and all the trimmings are there. Then there's also this thing, about it being a holiday, which means a long weekend, for those who works from Mondays to Fridays.

After living here in Canada for the past two years, I realized that when you're grateful, it is easier to be generous and look at the brighter side of things. I'm not saying that this realization happen overnight. I continually work at it everyday. Sometimes, when things are downright tough, you need enough resolve to still be thankful, no matter what.

"No matter how easy or hard our current conditions, we all have a wealth of simple blessings around us - waiting to be counted. As we do, our happiness grows. Our gratitude expands. And each day becomes a breath-taking gift." ( from The Secret Letters of the Monk who sold his Ferrari )

I'm THANKFUL  for...

EACH SINGLE DAY. The fact that I still hear my alarm go off every morning is reason enough to be grateful. Otherwise, everything doesn't matter.

My FAMILY back home. Sometimes, it can be exasperating and frustrating to deal with them. But then, "You don't love your family  because they're kind and considerate. You love them because they're your family." ( from Fall of Giants )

The FRIENDS I have and will have in the future. I'm at the point in my life, where a friend does not necessarily mean someone I hang out with everyday and do stuff, rather, someone whom I'm sure will have my back ( and vice versa ).

BOOKS and the love for READING.Without them, my life is incomplete.

RUNNING. It has help me become a better person. Not to mention, giving me that extra jolt of "runner's high".

For my WORK and the PEOPLE I've come to know ( and even live with ) through it. I've been blessed to be well-taken care of, that sometimes, I thought I'm being spoiled. :-)

HIM. For allowing me to be here and live life. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

What are you grateful for?

"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

I've been toying with the idea to come up with something about Thanksgiving. It's purely a coincidence that I decided to write about it at the time that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. From where I'm at, this yearly occasion was celebrated more than a month ago. I'm not saying that I'm partial to them ( the Americans, I mean ) It doesn't matter to me anyway. Besides, I think that each new day ( however it turns out ) is always a good enough reason to be thankful for. And not just a specified date on the calendar.

I'm thankful for this.

I'm THANKFUL for...

• RUNNING because it has given me immense pleasure and a strong sense of doing something great, not to mention crazy ( sometimes ). I'm only exceptionally happy when I run. ( If you know what I mean.)
• BOOKS because I love to read. I can't imagine what my life would be if I don't read. And without books and the library.
• FAMILY because I realized that no matter how my family is 'dysfunctional' at times, it would be pretty isolating and lonesome to not have them to come home to and belong with. Though at present, I'm far from them.

I will always be thankful for the chance to know my girls.

• ANOTHER YEAR because turning a year older just means that I'm still here, alive and well. Always willing and thankful to live life, no matter what.
• BEING HERE because I learned that any place can be as great or crappy as I want them to be. It's just a matter of perspective and the right attitude.
• FRIENDS because even if I'm boring and all, they still take the time to get to know me. ( You all know who you are.)
• HIM because when all is said and done, it all comes down to HIM. What I have, I owe it all to HIM.

Some of the happiest and carefree moments I had are those times spent with them.

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living." - Amanda Bradley 

Anyway, I think I've said enough. So, let's hear it, "What are you grateful for?" And, let's have that turkey, already.!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!