They tell me it’s hard to be grateful when you’re dead broke. As in zero moolah in your bank account and loads of debt. A good friend told me of a time he was sunk to the tune of millions and it was all he could do to face himself in the mirror in the morning.
I wouldn’t presume to know better what people should feel in those times. But perhaps it would be a good idea to be grateful while I can. After all, it’s Thanksgiving in the US, one of the holidays there that I like and want to import here in the Philippines even if there’s a lot of skepticism about it. Get Rich Slowly has a neat video and post on why Thanksgiving can be good even without turkey circa 1951!
Another reason is that I write about money every day and while I know I should be thankful for what those little coins and bills bring, it’s important to focus on the real reason why we want to fix our finances. Not for money’s sake or the things that go ka-ching, but for things like security, family, health, service to God and community, helping others and so on.
Digerati said it well:
… money is a replaceable asset, a distant second to many other things that we all wish we could permanently have and forever keep, but which we only end up receiving in what seemingly feels like short, sporadic periods throughout our lives.
So, I’m grateful for:
(Photo from AFP)
- time. Time to heal, to make amends, to start over, to think of things celestial, to ponder on light and truth, to laugh aloud
- little grubby fingers that grab you and children who hug you and make you feel you’re 10 feet tall at the end of a crazy busy day
- last week’s momentary misunderstandings, because that means hubby and I are still together after 15 years
- mom’s health and sense of humor
- two home angels who have served my family for years and keep my kalamansi juice fresh
- more than 20 articles waiting to be written, because that means I am doing what I love to do
- friends who text “ei, musta? Wala lang.”
- the feel of fresh sheets
- blogging, which makes me jump up from bed every morning. (I kid you not)
- email and the Internet, for making it possible to work at home
**turns to you, and gives you my full attention**
It’s your turn.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:45 am
wow.. this is so nice. here’s my share:
–im thankful for having a family that supports me in every thing that i do;
–friends who have become my family
–and the challenges that i am experiencing now because they are teaching me good lessons… lessons i wouldn’t have learned had i not experienced them.
thank you and have a nice day!
November 26th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
I am forever thankful to God who gave me a mother who is selfless and caring.
I am thankful for this season in my life. I am single. That means I have more time to read books, I can travel and go anytime I want to and I can save as much as I want or splurge on anything every now and then w/o feeling guilty.
I am thankful for my nieces whom I enjoy playing with.
I am thankful for my job w/c takes me to places.
I am thankful for my friends whom I can count on no matter where they are.
November 26th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
I’m thankful for:
- finally having a baby girl (due very soon!) to dress in pink, and to make pamana my bags and jewelry.
- the boys of my life… my hubby & 2 sons. kahit super kulit, panay mommy’s boys, including the dad
- finding this blog site. it will probably keep me sane when i take my 2-mo. maternity leave.
- having just enough… syempre, minsan i wish for this & that but actually i’m happy just the way things are.
- lastly, i’m thankful that God did not give me any challenges that I cannot deal with.
November 26th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
when we get down to it, there is sooooooo much really to be thankful for even if we don’t earn the millions of britney spears or kris aquino; even if we have to work everyday to be able to pay our bills and feed our mouths.
i’m thankful for good health. it doesn’t only make one feel good and productive; it also actually means a lot of savings! no need to buy daily doses of meds for hypertension or diabetes, no need to pay for chemotherapy or radiation or dialysis, etc. - you won’t believe how much sick people pay, grabe!
i’m thankful for time. after work, i have time to read, listen to music, watch dvd, exercise, even go out for a cup of coffee with my husband. i have time also for short vacations at home, out-of-town, and, if finances allow, out-of-the country. see, i even have time to read blogs and reply. i know very, very rich friends who have all the money, but have no time to even leave their businesses for a weekend off
i’m thankful for a family that’s always there to txt, to call, to eat with, to play scrabble or pictionary with.
i’m thankful for a husband who doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink alcoholic beverages, doesn’t gamble, and who’s home whenever possible. he’s also soooo scared of STDs (i showed him pictures of diseased male organs from our medical books), so he shuns these pretty young things who are forever willing and available
he he he
i’m thankful my daughter has graduated from college single and unpregnant (unlike her friends). i pray she passes her boards so she can have the opportunity to get a good job and earn and save and retire financially independent.
i’m grateful for a roof over our heads, food to eat, a warm bed to sleep on, clean, flushing toilets, hot and cold water.
the list could go on…and yes, everyday we wake up is a blessing…
November 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I’m glad that I live in the 21st century. The average person today enjoys a higher standard of living than the nobilities 300 years ago. We have cell phone, computer, TV, car, airplane, aircon, ref, microwave, better medicines and longer life expectancy. But we are not happier than people in the past. The ancient Greeks were wiser and more cultured than us. They practiced art, philosophy, science, poetry, sports, the finer things in life. They sought to understand and enjoy life.
Today’s average person is too preoccupied with earning a living and making ends meet. Even very successful people are too busy working hard in the name of excellence, competitiveness and achievement. I can’t remember who said work is the refuge of people who have nothing better to do. But it was Socrates who said leisure is the greatest wealth and Plato who said the uncontemplated life is not worth living.
November 26th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
@bagua, your list is heartwarming. you sound like a businesswoman! i wish you luck in all that you do!
@tubbykat, see you there too on Wednesday!
@Ron, thanks for sharing that. World Peace!
@schubert, those are definitely things that one can have even without money!
@The Digerati Life, we can do thanksgiving every day hehe.
November 24th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Thanks Salve! Just wanted to greet you a Happy Thanksgiving, kahit medyo late.
November 24th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
-the assurance that your family loves you when you’re down
-that your close friends will catch you when you need them the most
-that a few unexpected things crop up in the middle of a busy day
-that there are so many things left undiscovered… places, friends, ideas that you discover every day
November 24th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I used to pray for many things; ask for a lot of favors from HIM but for the past so many years now, i have aleady stopped praying for a favor. I just thanked HIM for eveything that HE has been showering to me.
And i am very thankful that my prayers contain nothing now except thanksgiving.
sounds “world peace” kind of answer… and to some “foolish contentment”… worse… “early surrender to fate”…
but I just shrugged these repartee off.
I am content I just want to thank HIM for that.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
just to add to the list –>
i’m thankful for:
- having a Mom who’s hardworking, and has inspired me to be the same
- having a Hubby that balances me out
- having a decent job
see you in Tektite on Nov 28th!
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Hi Salve, Happy Thanksgiving! and really thankful that I discovered Money Smarts.
)
on a personal note, I’m thankful for (among other things, bec its a never-ending list):
- being a single mom of 3 boys, who inspires me to improve my financial status!
- a great career/business which gives me unlimted income ( if I work smart, of course!
-having real friends around
-having loyal clients
-having a household helper who is multi-skilled & honest, makes my everyday life easier
- having perfect health
and always thankful for ending my night with a warm hug of my youngest son and holding each others hands while sleeping together
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 pm
steve, great list!
i like the way you added “an honest days work”. that’s something that is losing value this days as people look for easy money instead! Happy Thanksgiving also to you.
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
hi salve Happy Thanksgiving……ano pa ba ang pwede kong idagdag sa list?
Im thankful for:
-a loving GOD who gives second chances
-a healthy mind, body, spirit
-good and faithful friends
-very supportive family back home dyan sa pinas
-the opportunity to work with a respectable pay for an honest day’s work