Today, I am thankful!

An old college friend of mine reached out to me today to wish me Happy Thanksgiving and while I was thrilled to reconnect with him, his message got me thinking about the last time I stopped and took the time to give thanks for what I have in the present.

Now, I have never been one to celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving, not even when I used to live in the country of its origin - apart from getting together with friends to watch the Lions play football. And so this post may come as a surprise to many of you, if not all of you.

Although I am never short of giving thanks to everyone I cross paths with, no matter how big or small their impact in my life is, I have to admit that it’s not always easy to be thankful for what you have. I consider myself extremely lucky to be doing something I love, but like many of us, I run the risk of getting too wrapped up in what I need to achieve that I might not focus on what I do have.

As I am writing this message, my daughters are getting their homework ready for school for the next day while my wife is helping them. I am thankful I get to be a part of what may seem like such an insignificant moment in their life. Being consistently present for my family in their everyday routines is the most precious gift of all, even though I don’t get the chance to do it as often as I would like to. 

As I am writing this message, my phone is buzzing with messages from my colleagues about something peculiar and fun that happened in the office today. I am thankful for the team that we have built and the communication that we have managed to establish with each other. I admire your ability to make the best of any situation, regardless of how challenging it may be.

I am thankful for how close I am with my parents, my sister and her family, my friends that are all so able to take me away from my everyday work hassles to a fun environment full of joy and laughter.

Today is as good a day as any for me to stop for a moment and give thanks to my family, to my friends and to my colleagues. Today I am thankful for the present and for all that I have in it!