Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this message finds you at home enjoying a relaxing weekend with your family. Here’s a picture I took last weekend of my family at the Mayflower exhibit in Plymouth, MA. It was extra special to visit Plymouth Plantation and the Mayflower the weekend before Thanksgiving. We had a memorable time.
Today’s post is about gratitude. Too often, my focus and attention is on the future. “What goals do I want to accomplish?” “Am I on the right track to achieve them?” “I just achieved that goal, what’s next?” These questions occupy my mind constantly.
Today I’m going to focus on what I already have by reflecting on and sharing what I’m thankful for. I’ve listed “33” things because I turned 33 last week.
I did have some fun with this and some of the items are light-hearted. Never-the-less, I’m thankful for all of them. Here you go (in no particular order):
I’m thankful for:
- My wife Michelle
- My daughters Emerson and Kennedy
- My good health
- My parents and their unconditional love
- My sister Lindsay, her husband Brad, and their son Evan
- My grandmother who turned 91 this week
- My other grandmother who is 78
- Michelle’s family members who have made me feel at home in New England
- My job and health insurance
- My house
- The freedom to pursue my passion and become anything I want
- College basketball season
- Our military and service-members
- My reliable car that gets me around
- My education
- My friends
- My writing coach Ray
- All of the wonderful birthday wishes I received last week
- The technology that enables us to connect
- The ability to read and write
- Coffee (Dunkin’ Donuts!)
- My church
- The sushi place I go to for lunch (I’m especially thankful for the Volcano roll)
- The Grilled Tilapia Burrito @ Cilantro Mexican Grill (another lunch favorite)
- Mad Elf Ale
- The entrepreneurs who inspire me daily, especially Pat Flynn and Chris Guillebeau
- The ocean
- The Chesapeake and Narragansett Bays
- Podcasts
- Audible
- Maryland Blue Crabs
- The ability to come home every night to be with my family
- You taking the time to read this
After completing this exercise I realized I have a lot to be thankful for. Sure, I would love a bigger TV, a new car, or new kitchen cabinets; but today I’m going to enjoy what I have and the people who I can share it with.
What are you thankful for?
I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
-Scott
Scott Mackes is a leader and founder of the blog Margin of Excellence. A U.S. Navy veteran and graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Scott’s mission is to help others lead remarkable journeys. Connect with Scott on facebook and twitter.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Muito obrigado, pelo seus maravilhosos textos! Este, então, me fez parar para pensar…
Grácias por su espiracíon!
De nada!
We don’t have an official Thanksgiving in UK as you do in USA but it is always good to take stock and count your blessings.
As I am a little older my list is a lot longer!!
Hi Sarah, thanks for stopping by : ) Have a great weekend.
Scott,
I found the 1st part of your post interesting since my mind is always racing on accomplishing my goals and not taking the time to be thankful.
Hi Shelley, glad you enjoyed. Have a good week.
Scott, great list. I’m catching up here, but it’s still the “thankful season.” On your list, I kept focusing on the things like coffee (DD is one of my favorites), blue crabs (haven’t had them in ages), burrito, and sushi. I think I might just be hungry. What’s for lunch today?
Sorry, total distraction there. I need to go eat something. My list would be very similar with different names and a few additions, like:
-My homebrew equipment to help me make beer at home.
-My bicycles to help me work off the beer calories.
-My weight lifting equipment to help me lift my kids as they continue to grow, and all the stuff they seem to accumulate.
Okay, maybe I have a sarcastic list, but it’s all mine. Thanks for sharing your list, Scott.