In the United States, we are going to be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow. Many of us reflect on what we are grateful for in our lives. With so many around the world that have no food, clothing, a bed or a roof over their head, we are blessed in what we do have. But for me, it is so much more than that. I am grateful for the positive things I have. For me, it is all of the other things too, that I am grateful for.
This past year I have been focusing on identifying what makes me so special to others. I have been called unique, special, and an enigma. Although I never felt that I was any of these things, until recently. I started giving myself a single complement each day of something I like about myself. I was starting to recognize that I have special qualities. Even traits that I have not seen much in others.
Why
And that got me thinking. (Yeah, like that is hard to do.) Why do I have these qualities and abilities? What happened that made me this way? That’s when it dawned on me. My past is what shaped me. I am who I am because of the events of my life and the choices I have made along the way. I can honestly say, I am thankful for my past. Grateful for all of the bullies, teasing by the other children, and even the insecurities about my looks and weight.
Friends and Family
I will sit at my table tomorrow, in front of out Thanksgiving meal, surrounded by my family and be thankful. Thankful for the love I have from my family and friends. I am grateful for the job, money, and food I have. But I will also sit there and be proud of the times the bullies made fun of me. Because that is how I learned to care about others. Understanding that I do not know what troubles they fight. I will proudly be thankful for all of the times I was teased about my actions or my looks. Because that is how I learned to look at events I am faced with at other angles to understand there is always more than one way to view it.
Even More
I am thankful for my insecurities and the struggles I faced. They have taught me how someone may see themselves and gave me the compassion to comfort anyone that also has an insecurity. The things I once dwelled on, the negative events and views of myself, are actually lessons. Each lesson taught me to be kind and respectful. Taught me to care about others. And gave me the lesson that every person has faced events in their life that they may not be proud of. Teaching me that I have no right to judge anyone.
For the Lessons
I may be an enigma around others. With the ability to give respect even to strangers. To care of the average person when they face a tough day. And to be able to listen to anyone, free of judgement or ridicule. I am thankful for it all. Because it made me who I am today. And, like my friends have constantly told me, I am pretty special.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends.
Enjoy this video.
With great warmth,
