Things to Give Thanks For

In this season of 'Thanksgiving' there are so many things that I should be 'Giving Thanks' for that this posting is and should be almost redundant.

First of all, you and I should always be in a spirit of Thanksgiving; according to the author of the best-selling book, 'The Secret'. To para-phase her;'Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, you should be 'Giving Thanks' for all that you already have!' I fully agree, even if I don't always remember to do so.

As an American, I should always be in a spirit of 'Thanksgiving'. (I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to have visited a number of different countries around the world.) I very much enjoy many, if not most, of the places that I have visited. I have a particular affection for the Carribean (Jamaica, V.I.), South America (Caracas) Africa (Dakar) and Asia (Hong Kong) The Philippines(Taft,Eastern Samar), Europe (London, Paris),but none of those places can hold a candle to the United States of America.

Americans enjoy more Freedom, more Opportunity and more Diversity than any other nation on earth! ( Even the poorest American is better off than most people in the world!)

I need no better example of this than the recent election of a multi-racial (African-American, etc.) man as President of the United States of America! We have our problems and we are far from a 'Perfect Union', but we are something special.

We are the beacon for people all over the world!


As a family man, I should always be in a spirit of 'Thanksgiving'. My family is the most important thing, in this world, to me. I observe my Son daily and he usually does or says something to completely 'amaze me', each and every day! (My Daughter is an adult, but she is amazing all by herself! ) The same and more can be said for my Wife. My Mother, Brother and Sisters, Cousins, Aunts and Uncles leave me in awe of who they are as Human Beings. My Friends humble me. Sometimes I stop and think and 'Give Thanks' that I know the people that I know.

The Small Business Owners, Non-Profit Organizations and Entrepreneurs that I see and serve every day, make me want to work harder to help ensure their success. (I happen to serve on an Advisory Board of a national organization and on the Board of Directors of a State wide organization.) The work of these groups makes me so proud to be associated with them. I Consult with and have come to know a good number of Small Business Owners, from various backgrounds and communities. I see how hard these people work and how committed they are to doing what they do. I am so 'Thankful' to have the opportunity to know them up close and to know them well. Being around them, makes me want to work harder and to be a better human being.

In spite of all of the problems facing the nation(Financial/Credit Crisis, Lay-offs, Job Losses, Foreclosures, etc. ) I 'Give Thanks' that I am able to put all of this in perspective... As someone said to me, the other morning, as we were ascending St. Mountain together; 'If you woke up today and you were breathing, you won, be Thankful!'

I keep that in mind and do my best to remain in a state of 'Thanksgiving'!