The Century Disc

While having my morning coffee, I took some time to reflect on being grateful today. I believe that I have so many reasons to give thanks, not just today, but because of today I was able to slow my racing thoughts down and take a moment to reflect.

Here are some of the things and people I am thankful for today. May I remember to be grateful for these reasons and so many more, more often.

First off, I am thankful that I have two healthy young sons who are intelligent, witty, and educated. They are awesome young men out to make a difference in people’s lives in a positive way.

I am thankful that they have not yet suffered the loss of either parent, even though their parents are no longer together.

I am thankful for the fact that …

I had a daughter for 12 short years, as opposed to never knowing the joy of what it was like being “daddy” to daddy’s little girl.

my father and I were able to make amends and be friends for a few years before he passed in 2001.

my father is no longer suffering from the cancer that was eating him alive.

my mother is still alive, healthy, and still making a positive impact on her 6 children’s lives.

all of my brothers and my only sister are alive and doing well.

I was able to reconnect with my cousin, Eric Glassford, before he died from pancreatic cancer, this year at the early age of only 49, and that he no longer knows the fear of death.

I am thankful for the rest of his children and siblings who are still alive and well, and that I am able to reach out to them once in awhile and be touched by their lives.

I have cousins, aunts and uncles, and distant relatives that I can reach out to and communicate with from time to time on facebook and other places.

I have all of the childhood memories of family reunions that I was able to be a part of while growing up.

I have had so many people throughout my life who have helped me along the way and have mainly only wanted to help me succeed and move forward in life.

I have met others who have taught me valuable lessons that I may not have learned otherwise.

I am grateful that we can flip through so many channels on television (cable, satellite, or whatever source) and see so many people and events from all over the world at almost any time of the day.

I am glad that Macy’s still has their annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, every year, and that I get to appreciate it from my home.

I am thankful that I can turn my tv off at the click of a button, and am thankful for something that now seems so simple, like having a remote control that I have taken for granted for way too many years.

I can login to my computer, access the Internet and reach thousands, eventually millions through blogs, websites, emails, and other means at the click of a mouse.

I am grateful that so many people worldwide can also get online and reach out to others in basically an easy to use format.

I am thankful to be alive and to be able to work with some pretty awesome people even when they forget how awesome we all are.

I am thankful that I have a warm bed to sleep in, a roof over my head, food to eat and enjoy, and people that love me, sometimes in spite of myself.

Those are just some of the things that I am thankful for this day. Take time to reflect and appreciate all of those in your past, in your present and presence, and those that will come in your future that will make positive changes in your life, even when it may not look like they are a positive influence.

One more thing, before I go. Be grateful if you can read this with your own eyes, and are able to comprehend this message. There are those who have crippling diseases and ailments which may not allow them to function as they once did.

It’s easy to dwell on lack when you are hurting, but it takes a true hero to lift someone else up in a down time, as opposed to kicking them when they are down.

You are an amazing human being, with amazing capabilities; you just have to clear your mind, focus on what is truly important to you, and go after your real inner dreams.

Lift someone else up today, give thanks for the air you breathe and the blood that flows through your veins, and the thoughts that you can control and alter at will.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all of you Awesome People in this World.