Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a day dedicated to enjoying time with loved ones, reflecting on memories, and going back to your roots. And that’s why I wanted to save what I am most grateful for, for today.

What do I appreciate? I appreciate the people in my life, because it wouldn’t nearly as enjoyable without them.

First, my I am thankful for my family, my mom and her commitment to others, my dad and his support and guidance. I am also thankful for my brother and the example he sets for me, my grandma and her inspiration, as well as my nephew, my sister in law, and her family. I know that family just means you share some of the same genes and I won the lottery having them implanted by default in my life.  

I am grateful for my partner Irene. She makes me feel like the most special person in the world, because she is always brightening my day with her infectious smile, and abundance of energy and unconditional acceptance.

I am also grateful for my friends. The fun they add to my life while encouraging me to accomplish more and be better. They are both the worst and best thing that ever happened to you by keeping you up too late, talking a little too loud, but helping you to live more.

When it comes down to it, I believe that the best things in life are better when shared with others, and I am so grateful for my little pod of people who add so much to my life. Who are you grateful for in your life?

I am grateful for the freedom I have in the United States of America, and the generations of heroes who have put everything on the line for me. I have the freedom to form my own opinions and share my perspective. I have the freedom to stand up for what I believe in. There are people in this world who aren’t allowed to express themselves without consequence, and I am grateful that I exist in a free world.

I am grateful for my personal freedom. I get to make decisions on what I think is best for my family and I like where I spend my money, how I spend my time, and what I want to do. And while people might disagree with my decisions, or feel like they are misguided, they are mine to make. I choose the future of my life, and that’s a special privilege to have.

And last, I am free from my own self-induced limitations. It has taken a lot of hard work, but I have overcome the limiting beliefs that stifled my ambition. I can dare to dream without taking the voice of my inner critic too seriously, and can step into a life with purpose and meaning. I get to pursue personal growth because I am allowing myself to be free in my own head space. This type of freedom takes time and I am only partly on my way. You are capable of it too if you so choose to prioritize it.

I am so thankful for my freedom. How about you?

I am grateful for my comfort. I always knew I had it good, but it wasn’t until some volunteer trips I went on in the last 6 months that I realized how good I have it. I am grateful that I have access to clean water, and can basically get water whenever I want without a second thought.  I am grateful that I have a bedroom with insulation, so that in the cold winter months I can stay warm and get a full night’s sleep. I am grateful for my car, and how I have the ability to transport myself anywhere, avoiding a ton of physical exertion and delays to do the things I need to do.

There are people in this world that don’t have access to the simple things I just listed, and if you are fortunate enough to have clean water, a house, and transportation, then it’s important to appreciate the quality of your life. Imagine the stress you’d be under if you had to worry about where your next meal was coming from. Or, if you were constantly worried about your safety. Also, if you are struggling in either of those areas, then try to be grateful for the strength you have that helps you through this difficult time. 

Every day, we receive the benefits from basic amenities that aren’t so basic. 36% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty. 

What do I appreciate? The comfort I have in my life, from the roof over my head to the gas in my tank, that greatly improves the quality of my life.

Today, I am grateful for my health and my body. I woke up and I was able to see with fully functioning vision. I could get out of bed under my own power and hold my own weight as I stood.  I could use my voice to communicate with others, and I could feed myself a nutritious breakfast. Each one of the actions I listed, is a gift. There are people in this world who cannot perform certain daily activities, and would give anything to have your physical capabilities. We often lose sight of these things because they are givens in our life, but I want to be sure it’s not taken for granted because it really is a gift that we can rely on our bodies without thought.

The same thing goes for our brains, and mind. Our cognitive abilities, like our ability to speak, our ability to hold memories, and our ability to rationalize and problem solve, are in play in our lives on a daily basis. However, that doesn’t go for everyone. Let’s appreciate our quality of life, and our body’s strength, because there are those who don’t have the same luxury.

What do I appreciate? My health, and my body’s ability to perform, because life would be so different without it.

Coming from my guy at Positive Thinking Only, the quote is ,“There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy”.

There’s something really interesting about life. We exist in it and have become acclimated to our surroundings. We count on the sun rising, every day we hear birds chirping, and at least once we catch a glimpse of someone’s smile.  These moments don’t stand out because they’re a given in our world and we became desensitized to it. Let’s take a step back and act like we don’t know anything.

The sun rises every morning. It's miraculous that there is something so brilliant in the sky that it lights up every particle of darkness, and it is so powerful that we feel it’s heat from 93 million miles away. The birds are chirping, which means that there is life. From two cells and an intricate process formed an animal that is interacting with its environment. Also, someone’s smile. While it might seem forced and uncomfortable, it is the product of a lifetime of experience, and was different than any other smile in any other moment.

I saw a really powerful video about a 60-year-old man, who lived his entire life color blind, but was given special glasses that let him see the world like we all do for the first time. He was overcome with joy and emotion to look at the very sights we see every day. I’m not asking you to see life as if it were your first time, but I am asking you to notice the beauty that is inherently around us. Appreciate the joy that is built into every moment, whether we notice it or not.

Gina B mentioned that our microbiome almost operates as a microcontroller for our brain and is very influential in our brain’s activity. Let’s jump back to a snippet from that interview and have Gina share with us the cycle that exists that creates this phenomenon, as well as how we can support it.

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We are just scratching the surface on what our gut health does for our mental health. In the interview, Gina references how probiotics can help with depression and other psychological disorders. The bottom line is, now that we know it exists, let’s make sure we get those veggies on our plate, get that fibre, and keep those bacteria in our gut happy.

This world is amazing. Life is amazing. Life is a delicate dance that involves growth, focus, commitment, and responsibility. We’re all just doing our best with it, and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be.

But a crazy thing about life is how quickly and completely things can change. It’s hard to believe because you don’t see it too much on a daily basis, change is difficult to measure. But over time, when small changes have the chance to accumulate, you can see the product of their action much more clearly.

Think about where you were one year ago. I was still just starting in my new job, I had just entered a new relationship, and I was considering uprooting my life and moving out of town. I was making videos on LinkedIn and slowly trying to grow my network, but things didn’t really feel like they were in motion.

Now, I am settled into and a major contributor at work. I am one year into and have taken many steps forward in my relationship, and I did make the move and have found a new home in San Diego. My LinkedIn videos turned into a TEDX speaking opportunity, and my network has grown immensely as a byproduct of the podcast and my efforts at work. But, none of that stuff happened overnight, it all took time, and viewing everything from the lens of one year is a great way to see that change.

Then, I was challenged to predict where I would be in one year. I thought, not much has changed, but then was reminded of how much happens in a year, and I was able to get more ambitious. So, I challenge you to reflect on where you were a year ago, the growth you’ve experienced since then, and set a goal for where you want to be in one year. It’s a fulfilling, rewarding, and motivating exercise all in one.

Today I want to reflect on a lesson I learned a few weekends back from an event I participated in. The event was called the Ragnar Relay, and every team member is expected to run 3 different routes, 14 miles total, one at a time and in sequence. This means that the team always has someone running, at all hours of the day and night, to accomplish the task.

Not only is it a very difficult physical test, but it was a great demonstration of teamwork and camaraderie. My buddy Bobby organized the event and made sure everyone was comfortable with the flow and expectations for it. My girlfriend, Irene, kept track of everyone’s projected running times and woke up multiple times in the middle of the night to make sure no one missed their “shift”. And we all shared notes about the routes we had already ran to prepare others for their upcoming run with a little more fatigue.

The accomplishment of finishing was spectacular. Knowing that we all were working together, toward the same goal, and doing what was required of us at any time of day was a special experience. I would not have been able to go as fast, or even complete the different running routes at all had it not been for the accountability, motivation, and well wishes of my teammates.

I say this all the time but I’ll say it again. We are better when we’re working together.  Whatever team you’re on, whether it’s at work, playing sports, or in a relationship, ask yourself how could you be a better teammate?