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Happy Thanksgiving, Canada: What Are You Thankful For?

Travel
by Lola (Akinmade) Åkerström Oct 10, 2011
We asked members of the Matador community what they were thankful for at a certain moment in time. Here are their answers.

I consider Oprah Winfrey a personal hero. Not because she’s found a way to earn billions (a pretty sweet byproduct) but rather, because she’s found a way to live comfortably doing what she loves in an authentic and transparent way. Being a creative person, I can’t help but be inspired by her journey.

One of her many quotes that recently resonated with me was this – “Be thankful for what you have and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey.

In today’s world of instant gratification, it seems we’re never ever where we want to be emotionally, physically, financially, and careerwise. Contentment often gets redefined as complacency. Finding time to pause, step back, and reassess how far we’ve come often gets interrupted by tweets and status updates from others we feel are already where we want to be.

So in celebration of Canada’s Thanksgiving Day today, I implore you to take a minute to reflect on your life’s journey so far and pull out those moments, relationships, blessings, intangibles, and/or tangible things you’re grateful for.

Around Matador, we did.

Carlo Alcos, BNT Editor

I am grateful for:
– my hands, fingers, feet, toes, eyes, ears, nose, skin, stomach, tongue
– the trees and mountains and lakes that surround me and nurture me
– work that i love and which supports a lifestyle i want to live
– a supportive community
– love
– fear

Joshywashington, Matador TV Editor

I am thankful for 30 wonderful years.

Paul Sullivan, Matador Contributing Editor

I’m thankful for not getting arrested while taking this self portrait (of sorts) in an abandoned building earlier this evening…
And for having a cool bunch of Matadorians to share it with :)

Photography by Paul Sullivan

Photo by Paul Sullivan

Candice Walsh, Matador Life Editor

I am thankful for sausage and beer. In all seriousness, I’m grateful for friends who bring me coffee, my bedroom’s view of The Narrows from downtown St. John’s, parents who still slip the occasional $20 into my bank account like an allowance, a year filled with travel, and the overwhelming stack of books on my fireplace that still need to be read.

Lola (Akinmade) Åkerström, Matador Goods Editor

I’m thankful for God’s infinite blessings in my life in so many ways. I’m grateful for seeing yet another day.

Anne Merritt, Matador Life Intern

I’m thankful for healthy lungs, a strong heart, legs that can take me up mountains.
As a woman, I’m thankful for freedom. To study, work, spend, travel, marry or not marry.
As a shallow person, I’m thankful for Oreos, crossword puzzles, Peep Show and beer.

Daniel Nahabedian, Matador Contributing Associate Editor

I’m thankful that I have many reasons to be thankful.

Lindi Horton, Matador Sports Editor

I am a sucker for sunrise. Every day the sun rises is going to be a great day for an adventure. I just love it.

Eileen Smith, Matador Contributing Editor

The ability to move around the earth on my own power (biking, walking, hiking, running)
Long conversations with people with whom I connect.

Now it’s your turn. Tell us what you’re grateful for today below.

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