One man's voice Thoughts, rants and commentary of a simple man

Be grateful in all things

I woke up this morning with a feeling of anxiety. This happens from time to time, but more recently it has happened more often. I'm not talking about clinical anxiety but more the anxiety that comes as a precursor to the culmination of a great journey coupled with major change in the usual surroundings of your life. Like when you're getting ready to start a new job or when you're entering into a new relationship.

But as I thought about all that could be causing me anxiety I began to realize that this feeling, this nervous energy that seems to overtake me, stems from the knowledge that where I am in life is simply not good enough. It's because I want more - I need more - out of life that I seek a higher level.

I'd be the first to tell you that if you are not happy where you are go find your happiness. Seek out with all your might that which you so greatly desire and aggressively pursue it until you've acquired what you seek. You only have one life to live and you're not getting any younger. So stop living your life wondering and wishing and start making the necessary moves to find that place in life you want to be. But today I've decided to change my attitude. Today I choose to be grateful.

As we enter into the last few days of Christmas and, realistically, the last few days of the year, I am reminded that there is so much for me to be thankful for in my life. I have a beautiful and amazing family. My children are all healthy, brilliant, creative, thriving children who have shown me this past year that they are tough as nails and soft as silk. I have a great relationship with them and they, with me. We live our lives together as harmoniously as a family can and we have shown over time that we are a tight knit family that is capable of withstanding the worst possible situations while still being able to celebrate the best ones.

I have a skillset that is heavily sought after and positions me to be able to take care of my children financially. It's good to be a tech head in Silicon Valley at this particular time in history. I love what I do and because I'm in a rather niche market, I am actually pretty valuable. This is a good thing.

I have a wonderful home for my children that is warm, inviting, filled with the sounds of playful screams, craftily composed piano tunes and strong voices that are right on pitch. The creativity flows through my house in every aspect but none stronger than music. I am reminded every day just how blessed I am to be surrounded by such musically inclined kids.

The basic necessities of life are always at our disposal. We literally want for nothing. No, we don't live a high roller lifestyle by any stretch of the imagination but very seldom do we have to tell ourselves "no". All in all, life is pretty good.

So as the week winds down, and Christmas lists get poured over and things get bought and the "want meter" is showing elevated readings, I want to take a minute to slow down, consider what I really want the most and enjoy the last few days of this year with an attitude of gratitude. Yes, there is going to be an extraordinary amount of change coming very, very soon. I am preparing myself for the coming year because it will open with change right out of the gates. But for now, or at least the next couple of weeks, I will be thankful. I will choose to be happy with what I have and I will choose to enjoy my life exactly as it is.