12 Things that I am Thankful for
by simonwchan
This coming Thursday will be the Thanksgiving holiday in the USA.
Thanksgiving happens on the last Thursday of November every year and most people in the USA get the Friday off as well so the holiday becomes a nice 4 day weekend!
Because of the 4 day weekend, Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday. Growing up in NYC, Thanksgiving was about
- chilly weather that was perfect for American football. We’d always play football in the afternoon with good buddies
- after playing football, then we would go home to watch football
- getting together with family
- having a nice dinner (a true Asian “fusion” Thanksgiving dinner that had turkey and shark fin’s soup)
- having a long weekend to hang out with friends
- the start of the holiday Christmas season
As I got older, the Thanksgiving holiday tradition included an early morning “5 Mile Turkey Trot” run that I would do every year. It was a nice race that is held in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NYC. After the race, I would then feast on the carbs and then I would go straight to playing football!
It was just more exercising… and fun… so that I could justify eating the HUGE feast later on!
Unfortunately, after I moved to Los Angeles back in 2002, Thanksgiving was not as special. The 80 degrees weather in November did not make it feel like Thanksgiving anymore! I grew up in the cold and being able to go to the beach on Thanksgiving day was just “weird.” Also, since I work for myself and I work at home, everyday is a weekend and Thanksgiving’s long weekend was no longer special.
12 Things I am Thankful for
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being grateful to what we have. And for this year, there is much to be thankful.
Am I the luckiest person or what?!
Here are 12 Things that I an grateful for:
1) God and for everything He has done
2) the birth of my healthy son, Ethan
3) my wife, Kelly for being such a great mommy
4) for best friend and older “son”, (my dog) Obi
5) my family for their support
6) my friends from around the world
7) my health
8 ) my successful global business
9) the lifestyle that my business has given me
10) the ability to exercise 2 hours a day
11) the opportunity to change lives every day
12) the challenges and problems that I faced this year because it is only through the tough times that I am able to grow stronger and wiser as a person
What are you thankful for this year?
Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving this week or not, come up with 10 things that you are grateful for. Gratitude leads to a happier and more abundant life. You can’t get more unless you first appreciate what you have first.
Have a Thankful week!
November 22, 2011 at 11:58 am, dyll said:
such a lovely family
November 28, 2011 at 1:38 am, simonwchan said:
Thank you!
November 22, 2011 at 12:20 pm, devender sharma said:
brother good to know about u.
November 28, 2011 at 1:38 am, simonwchan said:
Thanks. Where do you live? I look forward to meeting you one day
November 22, 2011 at 12:49 pm, anhtuanhr said:
Especially say a big THANK to:
1. My big family includes relatives have supported me so much.
2. My buddies all around Vietnam. They give me true sharing.
3. My direct manager at ScanCom Vietnam. He helps me know the right way of management.
4. Especially, employees that I have recruited for ScanCom
5. Myself
6. My failure
7. The occasion of improving my EL skills with CFBL
8. Changes of manage lifestyle
9. My ex-girlfriend
10. My rented room
11. My old motobike takes me everywhere
12. And Mr. Simon Chan. You have large influences to me
November 28, 2011 at 1:39 am, simonwchan said:
Ahn, Thanks for sharing. I like your attitude especially since you are thankful for your failures… cause it is from our failures that we grow the most! Have a fantastic week!
November 22, 2011 at 4:19 pm, Anthony Dones said:
1. God for all His grace in my life.
2. To my love, Jennifer for her unwavering love and support through thick and thin.
3. To my family who have always believed in me.
4. To my amazing team who have shown me that dedication, discipline and hard work really produce results.
5. To my mentors, their lessons and knowledge that they unselfishly pass on to us all.
6. To every challenge and obstacles that I faced till now. and will face in the future.
7. To an amazing opportunity that I continue to love and work on.
8. The time I spend with wonderful people, with positive attitudes and encouraging comments.
9. Every day given to me to help other people, and make an impact in their lives – priceless.
10. For Jennifer, I can’t take God enough for her.
November 28, 2011 at 1:40 am, simonwchan said:
Thanks for sharing Anthony!
November 22, 2011 at 11:08 pm, Amran Adnan said:
Good to know you and to become good friends. Grateful to my wife because she really understood my work and the way I lead the family..
November 28, 2011 at 1:40 am, simonwchan said:
Amran, thanks for reading my blog and for your comment. I would love to see you grow and become successful in 2012!
November 23, 2011 at 7:20 am, Trish Ryder said:
Simon,
May all your Thanksgivings be blessed with the
joy a wonderful family can bring. Love the pictures
and hugs to all…..especially Obie. :>)..okay, Kelly, Ethan and you too if you’re of a mind.
Trish
November 28, 2011 at 1:42 am, simonwchan said:
Great to hear from you Trish. Thanks for reading and commenting. Stay warm in Alaska!
November 23, 2011 at 8:47 am, aileen said:
hi mr simon,
lucky man
November 28, 2011 at 1:43 am, simonwchan said:
Aileen, thanks for your comment. By the way, YOU can be lucky too. Definition of luck is “when hard work meets opportunity”
November 24, 2011 at 3:25 am, Eric said:
Thank you Simon for sharing this. Good to know you.
November 28, 2011 at 1:43 am, simonwchan said:
Eric, thanks for reading and commenting!
November 24, 2011 at 9:14 pm, Agbata Francis Nonso said:
Francis May all your Thanksgivings be blessed with the
joy a wonderful family can bring. Love the pictures
and hugs to all…..especially Obie. :>)..okay, Kelly, Ethan and you too if you’re of a mind.
November 28, 2011 at 1:44 am, simonwchan said:
Thanks!
November 25, 2011 at 2:58 pm, GLORIA R. DINDIN said:
THANKS, MR. SIMON CHAN. YOU ARE A GOOD MODEL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS. KEEP UP YOUR GOOD RELATIONS WITH US. CHEERS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!!!
November 28, 2011 at 1:44 am, simonwchan said:
Gloria, thanks for your comment! Have a fantastic week!