50 Reasons to Be Thankful

Every year we pause our busy lives to reflect and appreciate the things that we are thankful for. For me it’s no different. But this year has a small twist: I turned fifty in September. Yeah I know, just another day in paradise.

However, being a “number’s guy”, I feel that my big five-o had a deeper meaning. It made me reflect about my journey on Earth. I could easily list fifty reasons why I’m thankful, but I will spare you from it.

Instead, I will just share five of them. One for each decade:

• I am thankful for being born and raised in a family with very limited resources and education. Those struggles taught me to appreciate and respect every single accomplishment in my life.

• I am thankful for almost dying four times before I was even 25. Those near death experiences made me celebrate every second that I am alive.

• I am thankful for the days that I was barely making ends meet in Brazil. Otherwise I would have never moved to America.

• I am thankful for the days I worked extra long hours. For being fired for standing out. For being turned down and not chosen. They created resilience and endurance to keep me going.

• Finally, I am VERY thankful for the ones that crossed my path but did not stay. It made me realize that only a very few people are my true friends and will get me covered, no matter what.

Wishing you and your family a fantastic and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!