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My inspiration for this post came from one of my longtime blogging friends, Lisa, who shared a beautifully expressed post in which she asked the question:

"It’s the month of thankfulness and the season where many of us look back and assess the previous year. Were there blessings? For sure. Were there difficulties and challenges. Of course. Missed opportunities? Probably. Which do you focus on when looking back?"

And I responded:

"Great question! I tend to focus on the blessings because in doing that, I feel that it allows me to see ALL things (the blessings, the difficulties and challenges, and the missed opportunities) as both blessings and lessons."

I'm a lot like my father, an optimist. Yet, I'm also a realist. But being a realist doesn't mean that I have to be all doom and gloom about the difficulties, challenges, and missed opportunities in my life.

If I choose to, I can grow and learn from those things, and turn them into blessings.

Throughout these years, I have learned something about life. It's not always pleasant or easy. In fact, at times, life can be a big fat pain in my ass.

And that's totally okay.

As long as I don't stay there.

I know this may sound all woo-woo and out there, but I have learned that my life is all about how I perceive it.

If I continually see challenges, difficulties, and missed opportunities as a negative, that's exactly where I will remain--bitching and complaining about them.

But if I see them as blessings, I will move forward and grow from them. Because in doing so, I am always given clarity to see why.

It is truly in how I decide to look at my life, that makes everything in my life a blessing.

And for that, I am forever grateful.


Wishing you a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!

And not just on Thanksgiving Day, but everyday.


28 comments:

  1. You have strength of mind, Ron. I like to think I am a bit like you in that way. Sadly not everyone can switch off or see their problems as solvable. Thank you for your good wishes, may the coming Christmastide hold joy for you.

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  2. Ron, this post comes at a very good time because I needed to hear this! You are so right, life is not always pleasant and easy. But I have a choice to see them in a positive light because everything is a lesson, which is a blessing.

    Thank you so much for sharing this today. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. Ron, in all the years that I've been reading your blog, you continue to inspire me in many ways. Thanks so much for sharing your journey because it gives me a different perspective on how to view life.

    Thanks, dude! And Happy Thanksgiving.

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  4. I know the NYC thing was a huge disappointment, but you gave off zero negativity on this blog. So proud to call you my friend, dear Ron. I hope your holiday is a peaceful one and I wish you many blessings as we roll into the advent season. XO

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  5. Ron, I can totally identify with your outlook on life (golly, are you sure we're not related?!?). I, too, take after my late dad who seemed to combine the best of being a realist and an optimist. And yes, just like you said, there are challenges in life (as well as plain old aggravations, heartaches, and difficulties), but I *choose* to focus on the GOOD things rather than the not-so-good. After all, I just can't imagine going around with my head hanging down over one bad thing when there have been so many more good things to appreciate!


    I've heard that we're given "problems" so we can overcome them, then help others to overcome their problems. Who better to help someone than the one who's already blazed the trail? Thank you for sharing your triumphs and difficulties in such an open, honest way, my friend -- you'll never know how many lives you've touched in such a positive way.



    An attitude of gratitude, right? And what better day to start counting one's blessings than Thanksgiving Day?! I hope yours is positively wonderful in every way! xo

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  6. This post is so lovely, Ron.

    I have a negative mindset, so I have to really work at being happy.

    If I'm not on my guard, I can slip into some very ugly places, ruminating over the past and all my mistakes and missed opportunities. But as you point out, you can't stay there.

    Time only goes in one direction and what's done is done. You have to learn from your mistakes and make a sincere effort not to repeat them.

    Happy Thanksgiving, buddy!

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  7. Yay for optimists! I'm one myself. Tara is more of a realist, but that just means we balance each other out nicely. Sounds like you balance yourself, my friend. That's truly something to be thankful for.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Hope you get some snow soon.

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  8. Hello there Valerie!

    I think it's because from a very early age I had to discover how to perceive my life in a positive light and grow from the challenges I experienced. And it wasn't so much as "solving" my challenges/problems, but rather embracing them and allowing them to move me forward to an understanding of "why."

    Glad to hear you're the same way, my friend.

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great weekend, and may the coming Christmastide hold joy for you too! Gosh, I can hardly believe that Christmas is less than a month away.

    X

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  9. Hey Candice!

    " But I have a choice to see them in a positive light because everything is a lesson, which is a blessing.

    Yes. And we don't always feel that at first, however, in time, the lessons and the blessings are revealed. This why whenever I do through something that is challenging, I say to myself..."There is a reason. And a positive one at that!"

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
    X

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  10. Thanks so much for your sweet and kind words, Matt.

    I think we all get inspired from one another at different times in our lives. Most definitely, I have found inspiration from so many people. And it's usually the people who have adversity, but rise above it because it makes me want to be the same way.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaabulous Thanksgiving!

    X

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  11. Thanks so much for your sweet, kind, and encouraging words :)

    Yes, the NYC thing was a disappointment for sure, and it took me some time to stand back, accept it, and then reprogram my thoughts. Sometimes things don't always pan out in the time frame wish it to happen. And accept that. But I know deep inside that I will be there one day, when the timing is right. In the meantime, I take frequent days trips there and get inspired.

    Hope your holiday is a peaceful and blessed one too, dear friend. And to your family as well.

    X to you!

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  12. Yes, Mark, I can tell from knowing you these many years that you are most definitely an OPTIMIST. And I applaud you for that. You're always positive. Bravo!

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend! And thanks so much for stopping by!

    X to you and Tara

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  13. HA! Perhaps we are related, Debbie!

    "I, too, take after my late dad who seemed to combine the best of being a realist and an optimist. And yes, just like you said, there are challenges in life (as well as plain old aggravations, heartaches, and difficulties), but I *choose* to focus on the GOOD things rather than the not-so-good."

    Bravo! To be honest, I don't know of any other way to move through life than to see the GOOD in ALL things. I also try and watch documentaries about people who have been through tough challenges, yet have remain positive. And each one of them said that the way they did that was to think of the other things in their lives that they were grateful for. It seems that gratitude breeds more gratitude. And blessings.

    "I've heard that we're given "problems" so we can overcome them, then help others to overcome their problems. Who better to help someone than the one who's already blazed the trail? Thank you for sharing your triumphs and difficulties in such an open, honest way, my friend -- you'll never know how many lives you've touched in such a positive way."

    Thanks so much for your sweet and kind words, my friend. And thank YOU for doing the same for me.

    "An attitude of gratitude" LOVED that!

    Wishing you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! xo

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  14. Thank you, Rob :)

    As I shared, I think we ALL can become negative at times (myself included). However, I don't like staying there too long because then it starts to cloud my vision of what a particular challenge is showing me.

    And it's not that I feel happy all the time, because I don't. It's more so that I feel grateful, and that makes me feel joyful.

    "Time only goes in one direction and what's done is done. You have to learn from your mistakes and make a sincere effort not to repeat them."

    A-men!

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your insight, buddy! Wishing you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving Day!

    X

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  15. What an inspiring and uplifting post, Ron! Perfect for Thanksgiving. I love the way you write because you say so much in so few words. You express yourself so well.

    "But if I see them as blessings, I will move forward and grow from them. Because in doing so, I am always given clarity to see why." I loved that!

    Thank you for the reminder. And I hope you're enjoying a beautiful Thanksgiving Day! xo

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  16. Ron, I read this beautiful post last night, but didn't have time to comment because I was preparing the food for today. I'm having a few friends and relatives over for a midday lunch/dinner.

    You said so many truthful and inspiring things about how life can sometimes be. But as you shared, it's all in how we perceive them. I've always loved the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" And I agree, you can be a realist, but that does mean you have to be all doom and gloom, bitching and complaining.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Ron! What a blessing your are! X

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  17. Hola Denise!

    Thanks so much for your sweet words ! :) I wrote this post so fast the other night because I wanted to publish it before Thanksgiving that I just wrote what came to my heart. Lisa's post really inspired me.

    Hope you're having a faaaaaaaabulous Thanksgiving Day, my friend. And thanks a bunch for stopping by!

    X

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  18. Hello there Elaine!

    Hope your Thanksgiving Day came out well. I'm sure it's going to be DEEELICIOUS!

    "I've always loved the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" And I agree, you can be a realist, but that does mean you have to be all doom and gloom, bitching and complaining."

    Yes, I've always loved that saying as well. I mean, what other choice do we have? I find it more healthy for me to embrace it and then allow it to open my eyes to learning something. I don't like to complain because it really serves so purpose, other than to bitch. And that get's old.

    Thank so much for taking the time today to stop by, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    X

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  19. Ron, I forgot to ask in my first comment, but is that photograph of Central Park? It's beautiful!

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  20. Yes, Denise, it sure is. I took that pic the last time I was in NYC, just as the leaves were starting to change.

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  21. Ron, thanks for giving us such a positive, uplifting, inspiring post. It is truly a welcomed Thanksgiving gift - - which came at a time when I needed it. One of the many things that made your blog appealing to me is the bright, joyous, optimistic attitude you exude.


    I have always been a realist - but unfortunately I've also always been a pessimist. My life has been tainted with so many bad and negative things that the possibility of happy endings seem inconceivable. I often see storm clouds on the horizon rather than unicorns and rainbows.....
    ........but I've learned that a positive attitude is essential in getting us through life - as well as a sense of humor. Without these things, all is lost. We are the only ones who have the ability (power) to change our own attitudes and destinies.



    I hope this makes some sense. I'm writing this on my laptop in bed, in an awkward position with my sick cat Bosco resting his head on one of my arms!



    Anyway, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

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  22. Hey there Jon!

    So happy to hear that this post helped you. As I've shared with you in a comment I left on your blog a while back, my life had to fall apart in order to come together. This how I know (for me, anyway), that everything that happens to me happens for a reason. And even the challenging and difficult times were blessings because in looking back, I learned so much for the future. And although I would never want to go through them again, I look back on them as my greatest teachers.

    "..... I've learned that a positive attitude is essential in getting us through life - as well as a sense of humor. Without these things, all is lost. We are the only ones who have the ability (power) to change our own attitudes and destinies."

    Yes, exactly. And yes, it makes perfect sense.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're Thanksgiving was faaaaaaaabulous! Enjoy your weekend!

    X

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  23. Wow, thank you for the shout out! What a fantastic post you shared. It's sometimes hard to not leave the pity party, but when we do, we're stronger for the experience. I see so many people content to be the victim of life's curve balls and I feel sorry they can't seem to move past the challenges they've been dealt. I very much appreciate your positive attitude and how you view life's ups and downs. You are an inspiration! X

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  24. You are so welcome, Lisa! That post literally gave me the inspiration to write my Thanksgiving Day post. Right after I read it, I immediately knew what I wanted to say. So, thank YOU.

    "It's sometimes hard to not leave the pity party, but when we do, we're stronger for the experience." Yes, couldn't agree with you more. And I know you've been through a lot these past years, but you keep moving forward in faith and gratitude.

    "I see so many people content to be the victim of life's curve balls and I feel sorry they can't seem to move past the challenges they've been dealt. "

    Exactly! And I REFUSE to be a "victim" when it comes to challenges that present themselves in my life because it's so disempowering.

    Thanks again for your inspiring post, my friend! Hope your Thanksgiving Day was beautiful! Have a lovely week.

    X

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  25. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, December 03, 2019

    I love your attitude, my friend!

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  26. Thank you, Fiona!

    And thanks so much for stopping by! Have an AWESOME weekend!

    X

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  27. This is beautiful, Ron, and you know I agree with every word.

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  28. Thank you! And I know that you completely understand.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a beautiful Christmas!

    X

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