IT’S THE SMALL THINGS
By ALEX M. EDUQUE
Alex Eduque
Last week, in the spirit of celebrating Thanksgiving, I said that I would share some of the blessings – both big and small – I am most thankful for. And while I would never be able to talk about every single blessing and person I am grateful for, after much pondering and thought, I realized that in the grander scheme of life, gratefulness is a mindset that we should all aspire to integrate in our everyday lives. And when I think about what I am truly thankful for, beyond the actual individuals, it is quite truly the situations we have no control over turning out well that bring me the most joy. All of these are intangible, really, and not material, but all are and can also be life changing. And I have noticed that the more you share your thankfulness, it comes back to you a thousand fold. These may not be all of it, but these are truly some of the most significant that I am choosing to share in the hope that you too can carry along the habit of gratefulness in your everyday life.
I am thankful for the gift of good health – not only on a personal note (fingers crossed and thank God that despite a hectic year, I have not fallen ill besides the occasional cough and cold this year) but most importantly, for that of my loved ones. When my mom went through her cancer ordeal five years ago, while it did bring the family closer and placed a lot of things in perspective in my opinion, it also brought about an insurmountable about of anxiety and distress. Today, she just got a clean bill of health after going through a full battery of tests. Indeed, we are grateful, because this, is truly an instance out of our control, that only faith can see you through.
I am thankful for the immeasurable love I have been blessed with by individuals I hold near and dear. At the end of every day, while we look to please others and there is a certain sense of satisfaction that it gives us, nothing quite compares to being the recipient of unconditional love. And whether that comes from a partner, a parent, a sibling, a pet, the list goes on… Being on the receiving end is heartwarming and life-changing. It can alter perspective, soften one’s heart, and most importantly, it teaches us how to reciprocate and love wholeheartedly in return.
On a personal note, I am grateful for beautiful new beginnings brought about by what was, and looking forward to what will be. As humans, while we sometimes have the natural tendency to resist change, we must also learn to embrace the beauty it is capable of bringing about. We aim to live a fulfilled life, and one of the only ways to accomplish that is to grow. And for growth to occur, some change must take place. Roll with the punches and to the beat of your own drum, but do remember as well that there is nothing proper planning and preparation does not take care of.
Lastly, as I am every day, I am grateful for the chance to be a part of the lives of others, and for the honor of being given an opportunity to invest in the betterment and goodwill of this world we live in. And while the small steps we take as individuals may not seem significant at all, it truly does make a difference, and that is what counts. At the end of the day, none of us are immortal, but our legacy is if we create one that is strong enough to last through generations to come.
So just ride the waves through it all, and on the longest of days, just remember that it too shall pass and come to an end. Tumble through the twists and turns, and cry through the trials if need be. But get up, thread through, and keep on going with a grateful heart. You will be surprised to see how far it can take you.