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I am thankful for my family, friends, God and all he's taught me in the past few years.

There's always something that one can be thankful for, even if it's small. Holding on to that which is good can give encouragement despite things being bad.

I am at risk of losing my apartment due to not being able to keep up with payments. I had my hours cut discriminatorily. I have been lied to by my employers for the last year now concerning my pay and training. My fiancee is disabled and can't work. I'm stuck working a min wage job to take care of her. My parentsDad can't help me out of a lot of my problems. My mother died back in 1998. My dad has been disabled since 1996. Despite all this, I can see some good. I have a fiancee that loves and encourages me. I have friends I can talk to online. I still have my education and a means to use it. I still have my health despite having rods in my back.

In no way am I advocating complacency. Recognizing what you are thankful for helps in recognizing what is truly valuable in your life to you so you don't throw away what you have and can cut out what you don't need.

Edited

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.” -Buddha

I have allot to be thankful for. I find when deciding what to be thankful for becomes a struggle it helps allot to consider how you would feel without the things you have. Strip them away one at a time and consider what your life would be like.

I have a newborn son who, although suffering from the cold right now, is strong and otherwise healthy. I have a beautiful wife, the mother of my son. I have a job now helping the elderly, so that's a two in one win. My wife and I even considered what would happen to Dartanion if we pass away before he's an adult and we have plenty of friends and family willing to ensure he's taken care of.

Aside from all that, there is a list of material things to appreciate. Technology, tools, shelter, food, etc. There is a long list of things to be thankful for and allot of it is what most people have. We're just so used to having it all we take it for granted.