Thanksgiving is a few days away. I don’t want to be impersonal. This is my blog, and it is a personal one. Very much so in fact that some people have told me so. It never makes me nervous until somebody tells me this. It doesn’t deter me. I will continue to write openly on this blog. It makes me happy.

And speaking of happiness, this blog is dedicated to that which I’m grateful for. That which I’m grateful for makes me happy.

My job. I’ve been in and out of work. I’ve also been unable to work. When I’m unable to work, my mind becomes free to wander. I’ve ran into more than a few problem with this mind before. I could say a lot about it. But right now I can say that I feel healthy mentally when I’m physically given something to do. I’m a barista for work. I’m grateful for that.

I’m grateful for my mother. I mentioned previously that there are two people in this world who know my inside and out. One of them is my mother. She’s been there for me. She’s been my rock. She has my spirit than I know from anybody else. She’s selfless and has known dimensions of life that I have not known yet. I look up to her. I don’t look down on her for any reason. I only look up to her in admiration. Thank you Mom, I love you!

I’m grateful for my clan. Yeah my clan. Those are my siblings. They are my best friends. I have good relationships with all of them. They always pick me up. These days, we love bonding over a bowl of greens. I love doing that with them!

I’m grateful for all the tears. Yes, I’ve cried a lot. I’m not even a little bit ashamed to say so. I’m a human being. These tear ducts are on my eyes, and they are not for decoration. They are for using. And I’ve used them. I’ve seen a lot of turmoil in my life, and I may have already self destructed already if I didn’t cry first. Thank you Creator for giving me these tears. I’ve counted them all.

I’m grateful for my amenities. I never let my self go without remembering my privilege. Most of the population of the world is doing worse off than I am in terms of comforts and amenities. And comparatively speaking, there are people who consider my standard to be quite low. I don’t care about that. I feel empowered just to be having this clothing on my back, the car I drive every day, and a phone that connects me to the world allowing me to right this blog here and now. Thank you!

I’m grateful for my breath. I’ve said this many times before also. I don’t know much for certain in this life. I only know a few things, and one of them is my breath. I know every part of this breath. I know where it starts and it ends. I know its rhythm and stroke. I know it nourishment and connection. I know many things about my breath. It has taught me many things also. It may seem strange to some, but I can’t deny, I’m blessed to have my breath.

I’m grateful for Megan. She was only there for a small time, but in a small time, she left a big mark. Those things have been listed here all over my blog. And, in fact, my blogs about Megan B. remain my most viewed blogs. Even to this day, the older ones remain the most read of all. I feel grateful for that.

I’m grateful for my experiences. Nirvana Blogs is all about this. My experiences have been literally spelled out here. I’ve shared many close and personal things to me on this blog. I’m grateful to have had all those experiences and I’m grateful to be able to share them to you.

It’s your turn now. Somewhere (not just in your head), please list what you are grateful for. The attitude of gratitude my be the closes action to pure joy in my experience. Don’t forget to count your blessings. Even if your life is in the dump, the blessings are innumerable. I mean, if your reading these words than you at least have eyes and a brain. There’s your start.

Sat Nam

Erik H.