Be Thankful > Anything

Being the day to give thanks, there's more than one could ever ask for encapsulated in my heart that I ultimately cherish, not only today but every single waking moment that passes. Some things buried within are what most people take for granted. In this reading, you will find a few things I hold closest over those commonly spoken by others. Because I don't speak my mind much, these words I'm about to say are probably best left unsaid to some. There is a quote out there somewhere along the lines of 'deaf ears don't hear'. That's clearly not verbatim, just the overall statement that even though people listen, doesn't mean they hear (or understand) what you're saying. So if you've made it this far, we can add to the list below, that I am thankful you're reading this:

1) Fresh Air - Many can take this statement as literal but knowing that most of our air is toxic to begin with, that's not what I'm referring to. I'm sure all of us have had moments where we needed to 'sit down', 'take a deep breath' or 'get some fresh air' after hearing something unsettling or are unsure of what to say next in a moment of surprise - this is what I'm referencing. That moment you're able to walk away to regather your thoughts before moving forward in a direction with an obstacle at hand; or the ability to regain yourself in the midst of the storm. If you're able to do any of the such means there is something that brought you back to reality; this means you found something to ground you whether it brought you words of wisdom or peace within. In many situations in my life, I was unable to have a chance either physically, mentally or emotionally because Life's blows came from every which way I'd look: not having someone who you can run to about an issue for advice, or being held in a spot where you're unable to leave because of the risk of escalating the situation. I'm thankful that today, I am able to have a sanctuary of my own where I can release whatever I'm feeling, along with someone to listen to provide insight, safely without judgement. I'm thankful to be able to collect myself before going back into battle, by the resources I have found overtime. I'm thankful I am able to mentally handle, and even dodge, situations that would cause more issues, where I would have more circumstances to increase the need to 'get some fresh air'.

2) Discernment - By definition, according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, this word means: "the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning". Personally to myself, this word means 'using wise judgement'. Through the many walks of life I have travelled, I've been in many situations and around various lifestyles. By acquiring a, not fair, but wise opinion, I've been able to apply this towards predictive actions. Staying aware of my surroundings and key characters I encounter, I've been able to remove myself from environments I knew I did not belong. Though many pay attention to the main details, it is what is hidden to the common eye, those in the background that give more meaning to the story. I am thankful for discretion towards people, places and things. I am thankful for gut-feelings and the ability to recognize facts over feelings. I am thankful for stored memory of collective viewing so I can provide this knowledge in every day circumstances.

3) Chances - Too many have had more than one from me, though I don't regret any of them given because I ask that it be reciprocated from others towards me. This may not be possible in every scenario I'm in, though I know if you put this in place, it's likely to return; nearly the karma effect, or what goes around comes around, just not exactly that. When you walk too close to the fire, your chance of being burned is highly likely considering the distance from the fire and/or how many times you have circled that silver lining. The chances provided to me by those who you would never question would offer, I am thankful for them, not only being thankful the second (or more chance) but because they were willing to give me one in the first place. Whether it is a chance to reset myself in a different setting of Life, or a chance to walk away - I am thankful. Or most importantly: the chance to hug a loved one again (even if it's only one more time), the chance to see a smile caused by your doing, the chance to forgive those you hurt you, the chance to forgive yourself, the chance to learn from your mistakes, the chance to change who you are as a whole (from the core to the exterior) and overall, the chance to give other's another chance.

4) Freedom - "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." As stated in the US Preamble, I find truth at the end of each comma. I am thankful that the US (amongst other nations as well) have the ability to form a "We the people". As we can gather in groups within common interests, or by pertinent relation. Though this is a conversation that many avoid due to the sensitive matter - there are thousands of beings that are unable to form or join anything. Whether held captive by their thoughts, or by a crippling force, people everywhere are unable to see positivity provided through others with open communication and genuine compassion. Justice, as we all have come to know in one way or another, does not seem 'just', 'fair' at times; it may not even have the opportunity to be served. I am thankful for justice not only being issued through a court system, but those given by higher powers of this multi-dimensional universe. In the statement of 'Fresh Air', we can grasp that many don't have domestic tranquility and to some extent are unable to insure it. I'm thankful that through my life, I've gained the ability to have freedom to find joy in my tranquil domestic life. Being able to defend yourself is a trait some are unable to acquire for many reasons. Which leads to be thankful for the ability to stand for others who may be looked at as unprotected. With a light heart I say, we must help one another no matter the situation; if goodness resides in you, this is something that may seem like it doesn't need to be said. Though with the amount of uncertainty, vanity and ill-thinking, it does need to be a statement, more so, a Movement for the general welfare. While it is good to help others, I am thankful for the liberty to secure my blessings that I've found prosperous in my life. In due time, my blessings may fade leaving me to keep the joy and gratefulness in the little things: I am thankful I have the right to find what matters most. In America, there are a wide-range of cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and overall choices made. I am thankful for diversity so that I am able to learn, adapt and make my own decisions based on my perspective. I am thankful for my freedoms given by law, and by Man.

5) Love - It will drive you mad, completely and utterly insane. On the other hand, it will motivate and drive your everyday functions. Love has multiple concepts in the ancient languages, Greek particularly: Agape, Eros, Philia, Storge, Philautia, and a few others I will not cover (feel free to do your own research). I will expand on why each of the listed concepts of Love I am thankful for... First, Agape - the love for everyone is hard for many to grasp in such a hateful world. There has been such a decline of loving your neighbor as your own to the point where evil has driven people to not even bat an eye or look in one's direction. I've found many lack the understanding that we're merely only human beings; we all make mistakes in different ways than each other. I am thankful for the opportunity to share my agape love towards all: no matter what. Secondly, Eros - I'm sure you'd like to know why I'm thankful for such a sexual passion I've found over my many years. We all have an imagination to which some let it become more habitual than something that should be cherished. Sex, the act of making love, has now turned into idealistic fantasies that one feels as though they must play out to achieve a certain level of happiness. I find thanks that I'm not one of those. I'm thankful I can see that sex is meant to be for Love's sake, to allow yourself to be open with another person not for simple physical pleasure or the addictive chemicals released in the brain. Instead, I'm thankful for allowing myself to give myself to one, by choice, to form a connection many aren't available to know of me. Thirdly, Philia - Over centuries, this bond of friendship can outweigh all the others. Bound by trust, respect, honor and dignity, I am thankful I am have the ability to chose who I love in this concept. Finding this sort of love, is un-defying and seemingly everlasting. Fourthly, Storge - I've heard family is not who you are born into, instead it is who you choose, which makes the cross-connection to Philia. I am thankful the Storge love that is held deep within my heart for every blood relative that has shown me they have earned Philia. From parent to child, from brother to sister, this is a love that doesn't need much mending, instead nurturing on fair-ground of the simplicity, I am thankful we are Family. Fifthly, Philautia - Even as a young child, I've lacked this for multiple external issues that I've allowed into my 'boat' to 'sink the ship'. After battling decades of self-harm and depression in various forms (from self-mutilation to destructive decisions I've inflicted on myself), I've finally found self-worth. I can honestly say that through all the scars, habits, thoughts, and stress I've brought upon myself - I have Philautia. I am thankful that I love myself because if I would have stayed the course of my downward spiral, I would not be here to write this. I am thankful I have self-respect to not allow myself to be viewed in unruly manners or associate with specific entails that will only drag me back into a devastating lifestyle. I am thankful that scars fade, that there is one-less visitor at the local mental health in-patient facility. I am thankful I am cheerful in all of my days and see the light where my past made something seem so dark. In a sense, I can say I am thankful for the destruction of my path, because without it I would not be grateful for such things. I am thankful I have opened my eyes to realize there is more to me, and I am learning more everyday.

Ultimately, my "list to give thanks to" is endless. I pray yours is too.