MMM… Thanksgiving…
Turkey…mmm…stuffing…mmm…mashed potatoes…mmm…football…mmm…afternoon naps…mmm.
It may happen once a year for us, but the Pilgrims did Thanksgiving all the time.
(Imagine that! Anyone for a quarterly Thanksgiving?!?!)
Thanksgiving was any day they’d set aside for feast and prayer after they got through something terrible – a war, a drought, a sea-crossing.
But something bad had to happen first.
No bad = no thanksgiving.
And that’s why I try to be thankful for all the not-so-great things in my life.
…after 15 years, my business is still NOT where I want it to be
…I’m 45 years old and still don’t have any kids yet
…the markets suck and inflation’s ridiculous
I’m not HAPPY about those things, but I am GRATEFUL in a way.
And that’s because, without the valleys, there are no mountains.
Without the climb, there is no peak.
So if it weren’t for a terrible first marriage, I would never fully appreciate the amazing marriage I enjoy now.
Without going broke, I wouldn’t be so thankful for the profitable business I own (even if there’s so much more to go).
If I hadn’t experienced so many Sunday Scaries, I wouldn’t be as grateful for looking forward to Monday mornings like I do now.
It goes without saying, I’m grateful for my wife and my family and my friends and our Financial Zen Community and all the other wonderful things in my life.
But as strange as it may sound, I think I’m most grateful for the valleys.
