"I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners..." Philippians 1:4-5a
It is an early morning after Thanksgiving, just half past six; no one is up other than me. I am on my second cup of coffee. And there is an empty dessert plate next to my laptop where a sweet pastry once was. I find myself in a peaceful, quiet respite - a much needed one following a month filled with performance reviews, team development planning and other administrative and managerial tasks at work, coupled with my community workshops for the unemployed. Yes, indeed, this second cup of coffee in hand tastes so much better right now.
One of the many things I love about Thanksgiving, besides the turkey...stuffing...mashed potatoes...cranberry sauce...and many other table trimmings, along with various scrumptious desserts, is we take a moment to express our gratitude for the many blessings we've received this year. It's a moment when we stop the busyness of our lives to take count of the bountiful grace given to us each day, through the love of our family, and just as equally through our genuine comradeship in our friends, colleagues, and other acquaintances. Moreover, we take the time to count our blessings, with the intention to recommit our energies to always give thanks and to be a more grateful individual. And as a cancer patient, and hopefully a long-term survivor, I find myself being thankful unceasingly, especially to those who have supported me with their encouraging words of hope and prayer throughout the last three years (see name cloud below).
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote:
"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude."
With each inch of my cancer scars and the permanent deformation left behind from the tumors, coupled with the lingering side effects from the chemo/immunotherapy treatment; altogether, they serve as perennial reminders that I am, in fact...
still here;
breathing;
living; and
being loved!
A favored recipient of your never-ending heartfelt support, thoughts and prayers.
And what better way to show my sincere gratitude to those who have supported me throughout the past three years is to live a life with unceasing gratitude and happiness: evidenced by the way I love my wife, family, and friends...how I lead and care for those who report to me at work...how I give time back to those less fortunate in the community...and how I treat people who cross my path each day.
Yes, I cannot think of any better way to thank you for your heartfelt support, thoughts and prayers than by loving more, leading better, giving selflessly, and treating respectfully.
Thank you, unceasingly!
ajh
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Related blogs:
- MY WIFE THANKS GOD FOR MY CANCER
- HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO MY SUPPORT COMMUNITY
- A CANCER VACATION, ONE WOULD HOPE!
- LIFE AFTER CANCER: Becoming a Stephen Minister
- TO FIND MEANING IN PAIN
- MANY BLESSINGS THROUGH MY RELATIONSHIPS
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