"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, Gautama Siddhartha, Hindu Prince and Founder of Buddhism, Buddha books/

We live in a society in which people always seem to want more. What we have is never enough. We are uber-consumers and obsessed with stuff. My house is filled with stuff that we don't need, yet we find a way to continue buying things. Am I thankful for what we have? Absolutely - my wife and I have worked hard to get to this point in our careers and lives.

The stuff around me, though, is not what really matters. I am much more appreciative of other more substantial things in my life.

Here are some of the things I am thankful for:

My Wife - I am very proud to have a wife who is smart, intelligent, independent, beautiful, sexy, kind, caring and considerate. She is an incredible partner and a wonderful mother. I'm fortunate to have someone who understands me for who I am and values my strengths.

My Kids - My life as a father has been one of high highs and low lows. I don't like to talk about it much, but my first daughter died of a heart disease shortly after being born. This was extremely hard on me emotionally and mentally. Anyone who has suffered a loss like this knows that life is precious and should be treasured. Now, I have a teenage daughter and toddler son whom I appreciate more than life itself. We are also expecting another little girl this summer, and I'm sure that she will enrich our lives even further.

My Family - I feel extremely fortunate to have parents who are also great leaders and role models. My inlaws are incredible people too, so I am thankful that my kids will be positively influenced by many outstanding relatives. You can't choose your family, but if I could, I would pick one like mine.

My Strengths - I'm thankful for the natural abilities that God has given me, or nature has granted me through genetics, or the abilities I have learned or developed myself. I have always lived in, and created, an environment of building upon strengths, and I know that most people do not live like this. Life is hard for most, and I've had my fair share of troubles; however, I was always taught to leverage my strengths and overcome obstacles. I live an empowered life, and I know that most things happen because of me and not to me. I have the power! (I always enjoyed watching He-Man cartoons as a kid - "I have the power!")

My Experiences - My life is full. It's always been that way. I'm not a passive observer, even though I like to write about and chronicle experiences that I witness. I am an active participant in life, and I like to make things happen. I get involved. I volunteer. I am the first to try things, which caused many trips to the emergency room when I was a kid. I'm not afraid to fail, and I've done so many times. I like to learn from both mistakes and successes. My experiences have helped shape who I am as a man, husband, father, friend and leader, and I value them greatly.

I could probably write a few thousand words on the things that I'm thankful for in my life, but it seems slightly narcisstic. I'd much rather hear from you about the things that you're thankful for in life.

What are you thankful for? What do you appreciate? Please leave a comment and share with others!

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