Many years ago when I lived in Houston, I was a Placement Consultant and managed one of our offices. In the mid-80’s or thereabouts the oil & gas industry tanked and most all of the businesses in Houston were affected... and rather than hiring office staff, many of my HR contacts were calling me looking for work. Prior to this, we all had been 
very blessed and our commissions were very generous. But, when the market turned, so did our paychecks.
We still had roofs over our heads, made car payments, and certainly weren’t in danger of losing our homes, but we were all a bunch of pampered women who spent our “down” time across the street at the Galleria (or as I like to call it the Mother Ship... Neiman Marcus, Saks, the usual line up). One day when we were all bemoaning the state of affairs, my very good friend said something that stuck with me.
She said “At least we were lucky enough to have had all this; let’s be THANKFUL for that. Some people never get the chance.
I know what she meant; many people will never have the opportunities we’ve all been given.
I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to have been born in this wonderful country.
I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to grow up in a loving family that emphasized education and hard work.
I am THANKFUL I was given the opportunity to live in places other than my hometown and thus experience something other than the TEXAS way of life.
I am THANKFUL I’ve had to opportunity to meet people who would become my extended family... my family away from Texas.
I am THANKFUL that somehow I was given the opportunity to meet my soul-mate and best friend, Larry.
…...........and there is so much more!
very blessed and our commissions were very generous. But, when the market turned, so did our paychecks. We still had roofs over our heads, made car payments, and certainly weren’t in danger of losing our homes, but we were all a bunch of pampered women who spent our “down” time across the street at the Galleria (or as I like to call it the Mother Ship... Neiman Marcus, Saks, the usual line up). One day when we were all bemoaning the state of affairs, my very good friend said something that stuck with me.
She said “At least we were lucky enough to have had all this; let’s be THANKFUL for that. Some people never get the chance.
I know what she meant; many people will never have the opportunities we’ve all been given.
And so with the Thanksgiving season upon us I have so very many things for which I am thankful and grateful.
I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to have been born in this wonderful country.
I am THANKFUL for the opportunity to grow up in a loving family that emphasized education and hard work.
I am THANKFUL I was given the opportunity to live in places other than my hometown and thus experience something other than the TEXAS way of life.
I am THANKFUL I’ve had to opportunity to meet people who would become my extended family... my family away from Texas.
I am THANKFUL that somehow I was given the opportunity to meet my soul-mate and best friend, Larry.
…...........and there is so much more!
What it boils down to is this...we’re all given opportunities, not always equal and not always at the same time but they’re there. Sometimes we don’t even recognize them but they are there. Let’s be THANKFUL for our opportunities and make sure we pave the way for others to have what we’ve been so blessed to have.
"This post is a submission to the DocuSign/ActiveRain Thankful Contest. It's possible I will win a prize for writing this post. You could win a prize too by going to the Contest Announcement and sharing your own story"
