Being thankful for all of your experiences

When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. When life is bitter, say thank you and grow.

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. It’s a great day to spend with family and friends to remember all the things you are thankful for. So here it is:

• I am thankful for my parent’s courage. When I was a young girl, they decided to leave Venezuela realizing things were about to get worse. They moved to a foreign country not knowing the language or the culture but having a strong belief this would be a better place for me. I will always be grateful for their decision.
• I am thankful for living in a country that provides education to each and every citizen regardless of their race or gender. Having access to education is a powerful advantage and so many times it is taken for granted. I am also grateful to live in a country where I am free to express my opinion without the fear of oppression.
• I am thankful for all of my faults and imperfections. For so many years I tried to change or “fix” them because I felt inadequate when in fact those differences are what make me unique. It was a long struggle for self-acceptance but as a result, I’ve grown to be more kind towards myself and others.
• I am grateful for all the people I’ve met regardless of their positive or negative impact. The hateful or rude people I’ve encountered in my life have taught me to be resilient and assertive. While the kind and giving people have taught me to be compassionate and enjoy every moment of life.

Take some time today to reflect on all of your experiences and remember those around you who had an incredible impact on your life. What are you grateful for?

Thank you for reading this blog!