Every Thanksgiving, I do reflect on things and think to myself what I’m thankful for. This will be the first time I’ve actually written (or typed) my thoughts out.
For starters, I’m incredibly thankful for my wife Heavenly. I’m thankful for all the time we share together. I’m thankful that I am able to work for myself and work the way I like. I’m thankful for the friends and family I have. I’m thankful for a place to live, food on the table and extra money to invest in the future.
I’m also thankful that I made the decision to move to Texas after high school… the toughest decision I ever made. I’m thankful that my dad believed in me so much and that I had his constant encouragment. If not for him, I may not have had the guts to go through with it. The decision to move had a huge, life-changing affect on me. If I hadn’t moved to Texas, there is little doubt in my mind that I would not be the person I am today. I don’t believe I would have had the opportunities to grow personally and financially if I had stayed in Vermont.
It was in Texas where I first felt good about myself and felt I could achieve what I wanted. The general culture was more positive towards achievement and the attitude was that anyone can achieve what they really want. The culture embodies the “can do” attitude that made America great. Whereas, here in Vermont I feel that the general culture is more that if you achieve, you are a bad person and if you have problems its someone else’s fault. Often, the wealthy or big business are blamed for everyone’s problems. These attitudes are so disempowering and do nothing to encourage people to achieve or to believe in themselves.
In Texas, I saw first-hand how a more free-market enabled anyone to thrive that really wanted to… college was very affordable, jobs were abundant, wages were high, costs of living were very low and most people agree that it is because the government stays out of the way. All the positivity and abundance was enough to help me turn my life around and I’m so thankful for the experience.
Please feel free to share what you are thankful for in the comments section…
