With only days to go until I sit down with family and friends for Thanksgiving, I wanted to give credence to some things and situations I am grateful for that I don’t normally acknowledge. Of course I’m grateful for the traditional things such as family, friends, loved ones, partners, good job, my fraternity, etc. But this year, after a good deal of growth and development, and with everything going on in the world, there’s another list that I’ve come to understand for me to be grateful for.
I’m grateful for being adopted to remind me to never take family for granted.
I’m grateful for having had experienced racism to remind me that the fight for equality is ever ongoing and to keep pushing forward.
I’m grateful for not getting everything my way because it reminds me to be humble and gracious.
I’m grateful for having been bully and bullied to remind myself to be compassionate and that there are two sides to every story.
I’m grateful for difficult days to remind me to be strong, diligent and persevere.
I’m grateful for having been kicked out of my childhood home because I came out as gay, to remind me to always accept and protects others, regardless their identity.
I’m grateful for the issues I have with money because it reminds me to be grateful for what I have.
I’m grateful for my struggles with drinking, because it reminds me that everything needs moderation.
I’m grateful for not being perfect because it reminds me not to be complacent and to continue to learn and grow.
And I’m grateful for these and other challenges to remind me that each day is precious and that on each day it is incumbent upon me to make the world a better place.
It’s a different kind of Thanksgiving list, but over the past few months I’ve come to acknowledge these as things to be grateful for that have helped shape me into the man I am today.
Until next time!
Peace, Love and Pandas!
Hello World, Its Me, Brian 