Much to Give Thanks For

I have been away for quite a while, but (believe it or not) this blog has crossed my mind several times...

There was a reason that I stepped away (aside from a certain amount of honest laziness). It was that I felt the need to focus a little bit more on living my life than writing about it. I read a quote that says, "He who conceives must first unfold his concept." And I have been working in earnest (some days more true than others) to do just that. My desire is to be that version of me that I know I can be... It's the best and perfect Idea of me... I'll talk a little more about that at a later time :-)... But I am extremely thankful, as well as humbled by people who have stopped by to see what I may (or I guess may not... heh) have to say.

There is much to be thankful for... Always. Even in what could be considered by some as "bad" situations. The good thing about bad or crisis situations is that one is inevitably improved by those situations. This is, of course, provided the person chooses to learn from said situations rather than let it consume them. Another quote that from an author I read frequently reads, "Defeat I shall not know. It shall not touch me. I will meet it with true thinking. Resisting it will be my strengthening. But if, perchance, the day shall give to me the bitter cup, it shall sweeten in the drinking." - Walter Russell (excerpt from "Salutation to the Day")

In making the choice to be thankful for all experiences, one makes the choice to live a more joyous life. Further, in that choice one will find true strength to persevere in difficult conditions or situations. I have been blessed to meet some people who have been through remarkable difficulties, betrayals, etc. Yet they still have this extremely joyous glow and positive outlook on life. I can look in such a person's face and see the joy in their smile and the strength in their eyes. It is really very inspiring to see. (One of the reasons I felt moved to write this.) Conversely, I know people who's lives seem extremely hard/unhappy, even though they haven't been through the things some others have. The bottom line is that it's all in how we perceive it, and how we choose to respond to it.

Give thanks.

With Love,

Regular Guy