Thinking about Thanks...

I have a lot to be thankful for in my life even though I don't always realize it. I wanted to just write a little here about some of the stuff I feel I need to give thanks for and also for some other inspirational stories of thanks.

First off, my biggest thanks will forever be to Jesus. He died for us all so that we could one day have a place in Heaven. He carried all our sins for us. I don't think anything can ever or will ever compare to that ultimate sacrifice.

In my life I have so many great people to be thankful to know. Whether they are family, friends, co-workers, classmates or roommates, I have such a great group of people and have made some connections and bonds that will last forever. I am thankful to always have someone to talk to, call or do something with. Even when living on my own in a brand new place, I have been able to find people to connect with. I have a great group of people that I work with and recently joined a volleyball team with other young adults. It is hard to be away from all my friends and family back home... but I guess I can be thankful for the chance to make that many more friends here! I have my health, which sometimes falters, but overall is pretty good. I am thankful for my education, having just graduated college. I am also thankful for being able to find a job after that graduation and in turn thankful for the financial support it provides. I have a nice, yet small apartment to live in and I have food on my table. Not to mention a pretty great puppy as well :)

I know I let things get to me, as we all do, from time to time but I need to remind myself how blessed I am and to be happy about what I have, where I am, what I do and who I am. I suppose in writing this blog that is kind of what I am trying to do. I can write this now and when I start to feel down and out, pop this up and remember I have a lot to be thankful for and need to not take it all for granted.

I heard a story today that made me realize how thankful others are right now too. A man fighting in Iraq is thankful not only that his wife just had a baby, but he got to see the birth. Yes, this man who is half a world away was able to witness the birth of his first child, witness the first cry, the first moments his baby was in the world and all through the use of technology. He and his wife were using Skype! If you don't know what Skype is, it is a type of video chat that can be done through webcams on your computers. How awesome is it that this was possible?!?! I found it funny that after the story was told a sound bite from the wife was played and she stated that her husband, even though in Iraq, got to see the baby before she did! HAHA

I have heard several other stories of thanks while working here at the USOC too. Right now as most of you may know, I have been working with U.S. Paralympics on their website. So many of the athletes we cover have inspiring and amazing stories of struggles they have overcome and triumphed through. I wish I could sit so many of them down and interview them personally, because they are so awe-inspiring. It's not only the stories of the athletes though, its stories of soldiers and children too! U.S. Paralympics holds events, such as camps, for physically injured service members and also camps for children with physical disabilities, both of which I have had the chance to attend. The stories from those camp participants are also very amazing and in some cases more so awe-inspiring than the ones of the famous athletes.

I like having this chance to hear from so many the things they have overcome and to hear how thankful they are. Because not only does this make me thankful for what I have now, but it reminds me that no matter what happens-whether I lose my eyesight, an appendage, my ability to walk or my job, or car or money or WHATEVER... there is always something to be thankful for, there is always a reason to smile and in doing so I think there's a way to find peace.

I hope you all have a blessed holiday! Happy Thanksgiving!