Giving Thanks...

Each day, I try to do two things: Find something to be grateful for and do a good deed.  Some days are more challenging than others, but more often than not, opportunities to fulfill both daily goals present themselves readily.  The side effect is that the more you operate from a place of goodwill, the more you go out of your way to do good works and express gratitude for the positive things in life.  It's a snowball effect and I figure that over the course of one's life, even small acts of kindness add up.  A mosaic is made of tiny tiles.  Alone a tile might be insignificant, but collectively, it can create a thing of beauty.  I am by no means perfect and I freely admit that sometimes I let myself get carried away by less than altruistic dispositions and I can take for granted the many blessings that my life has been bestowed.  But... I try and I feel like that act of working towards making the world a better place is better than not at all.

One of the reasons that I love Thanksgiving is that people are more willing to embrace the spirit of gratitude and vocalize it.  People celebrate the good and there is so much good in this world.  It's easy to see only the bad.  It's easy to fall into darkness.  It's easy to get angry and lash out in frustration... but all around us are tiny miracles and the possibility of great things.

So... thank you!  Thank you so much!  It might seem like a cop out, but I am deeply thankful for this life and all that is in it.  (Even the bad stuff.)  Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!