on a day in which lots of my friends are celebrating thanksgiving, and though i usually do not go with the flow in some traditions on the blogland, i decided that this year i would write a post about the things i am thankful for… we live in such a difficult time and we portuguese are known for our way of always stating what is bad in our lives. 9 out of 10 (and i first wrote 10 out of 10) when asked how they are doing will answer they are doing ok… as god intends, like if god was the only one capable of commanding our lives and we are just meant to live as someone using this body and accept everything that come in our way… not being able to search for other things or better things. and now with this economic crisis, we are feeling even “better” in this fatal destiny that god wrote for us. now we complain feeling that we have even more reasons to complain. but if tomorrow turns out a better day, we will find another reason to complain. that is how we work. fortunately there are others able to see beyond this and try their best to do something about it, and i am not even talking about strikes… (as we have a national strike going on today). there are people that go after their dreams and try to strive for their best chances to make it through the plans, the economic crisis… and do something to make their lives more meaningful and better. hopefully these are the ones that live (or try to) a happy life.
i consider myself one of these persons, and though sometimes the idea of letting all this go and look for a 9-5 job, in order to make some money for the bills and not worrying constantly about the projects that will come… if they come, i am trying to do something here for my happy life and for my passion… and mainly to wake up feeling that i love what i do, i do what i love… and i am making it work. i want to be able to say in a year from now that i am a freelance photographer. but as this is about today… here are the things i am thankful for (in no particular order)…
#1 finding the love after so many years looking for it, and knowing for sure that mr twiggs is always here for me and makes me feel better, when i need a little hug, but also says what he thinks, making me step out of my comfort zone.
#2 my health, though today i am actually sick, but other than having what seems like a flu, i am a healthy person.
#3 my tiny home, that though this tiny i am thankful for still being able to pay for it and make it work with mr twiggs + mr kobe.
#4 my dog, as mr kobe was a blessing from the beginning… and i had no idea how a dog in our lives could make it so much better!
#5 my parents are still alive and well, though my father had a few cva’s lost his memory ability and he needs my mom more and more as time goes by, he is still able to do things on his own, walk, read, laugh, eat… he is just not much as a talker as he used to be. but i am thankful for my mother’s strength to keep the house running and looking after him.
#6 my brother, as we never got along while we were kids, as he is 9-years older than me, we are close in our own way and i know that we will never argue about who get’s what.
#7 my in-laws as they are like parents to me, and i love talking with my mother-in-law for hours…
#8 being able to afford simple things that provide me with such pleasure, like going out for dinner, movies and traveling from time to time.
#9 having the strength and will to fight for a creative life and for the opportunities that got me where i am now.
#10 having so many friends (present & online) that make me a better person and allow me to explore so much of this world, it is amazing how i can go out for dinner in almost any big city in this world and have a friend close enough to make some recommendations.
and i am grateful for you to be reading this… and for being here with me, allowing me to share what i have to share… allowing me to do what i love… thank you!
and what about you? what are you thankful for?
MissLilly says
oh unfortunately all Europe is going to a crisis, but in Portugal we tend to be very pessimistic and forget that we have good things as well. We should start value more all the good side of life. Life is too short, and it’s such an accomplishment to wake up every day at the side of someone you love, having a home and a family and working in what you really enjoy doing!
I’m thankful for:
#1 – After so many years and a hard adolescence have found true love and for living so happy together with him for more than 4 years now.
#2 – My childhood – I look back and I realize I was really happy during my childhood, my parents were always there for me, and I grow up with my sister which is only 3 years younger than me. I have so many good memories, specially those from Christmas.
#3 – My dad – Linked to previous point, he’s been always there for me, smiling to us even though he was sad. I’m very grateful for all he’s done for me.
#4 – Sunlight – I’m thankful for all the sunny days where I can go out and enjoy the light and any outdoor activities (mostly photography and walking)
#5 – Good friends – Having few but very good friends, they are very important in our lives :)