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Post-Thanksgiving Thankful List

As I comment on often, it is important to understand that thankfulness and gratefulness are not the same. In fact, the way the human psyche works, we often are (or become over time) thankful for that which we should be grateful for. Thankfulness is a feeling when something somewhat expected or anticipated happens. Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation that is consistent, remaining unchanged, over time. Thankfulness brings us brief happiness, while gratitude unlocks the joys we have in our lives.

This year, I am thankful for those children I see every day. The ones who bring me out of my doldrums and, like every kid I've worked with for almost 30 years, allow me to feel appreciated in a selfish world.

I am thankful for those who appreciate generosity and for those who display it. To me, for others, to the universe.

I am thankful for the few good mornings, good nights, and all the exchanges between. They are few, but they hold great power, when I wake, I think, and before I sleep.

I am thankful for the beauty in those who simply take time to acknowledge my existence.

I am thankful for every daily moment, many routines, which my cat, Swag, greets me with. I am beyond grateful for what he has brought and taught me.

I am thankful for parents who don't shudder at the thought of me hugging their child. Allowing them to sit on my lap when they're happy or carry them when they're sad.

I am thankful to be paid to do what I love, regardless of whether or not it allows me the financial freedom to enjoy life away from them.

I am thankful for those who care to get to know me and for those who have not forgotten.

Finally, I am thankful for my health. I ache, I despair, I feel, I overthink, and recently fell ill (a rare occurrence), but physical, mentally, and emotionally, I have so much more than so many others. I remember that always. My ability to be thankful for this, says volumes about how much work there is to do so that one day, people won't be grateful for their ability to function.


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