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Hanalei, Hawaii 9/2/2010
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Thoughts for Thanksgiving

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - I've been thinking a lot today about what it means to be thankful. Truly thankful - not just "aww that's sweet" kind of thankful. I mean reach down into your guts and grab your ribcage kind of thankful. We've all been blessed in one way or another, and some of this is just the see-saw of life, SashaPhotoShootthe yin/yang of existence. But the things that happen to you are because of you, and the love you have for your life. The people you've met and the things you say. The ideas you inspire and ways you make the earth move and the day shine a little brighter for those who happen across your path. No, I haven't been drinking :). The thing is, the idea of "Giving Thanks" implies that you don't have a hand in it - sort of like your life was given to you (I'll sidestep spiritual discussion here - I only blog about God when I'm drunk :). Everyone has a personal allotment of "gravity" - some special pull (or push, depending) that effects others around you. This is you, your energy, your reality, your chi (stay with me, I promise I'll come back to earth here in one second). It's how you use this gift that makes your life happen - gives you things to be thankful for. You should thank you, above all, for the good things in your life. So when you are giving thanks this year - save some for yourself. You make it happen for yourself, your kids, your friends. When raising a glass this year, raise one from me, to you (even if you're one of the Rails nuts that flamed me :), as one whack-job human to another, for no reason other than that you're here. Now it's time to go drinking. I really hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving. Really.

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Ryan - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Thanks Rob....as another whack job human I'll drink a beer for you! Now feel free to take the rest of the week off....
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Jon Galloway - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Good stuff, Rob. That's the kind of thinking that can transform a the simplistic "I'm sure thankful for this turkey" feeling of this holiday to something that's more concrete. I firmly believe that the goodness each day brings is related to the extent that we can really feel truly thankful for the chance to live that day. As I think I told you at DevConnections, watching the Band of Brothers series (again) has reminded me that I'm getting a pretty good deal by waking up each morning without fear and given a chance to do more than just fight to survive. And, how great is it to live in a slice of history when geeks rule the planet? 1000 years ago and we'd be clerks or something. So, Phi, then Chi... what's next? Lambda's the only thing that makes sense.
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Shawn Burke - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Great post Rob!
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Geri Langlois - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - I am thankful for many things in life. I've had many second chances and I am eternally grateful to all of the good people who have touched my life. I'm also grateful that I am able and in a position to give back to my community and to people in need.

There is rarely a day that goes by that I am not thankful to you and Eric for the countless hours that you have invested in SubSonic and in providing education and thoughtful discussions. Even though I know you do not do this for any particular profit or end game the blessings are coming to you. Bottom line is that blessings follow giving. As a matter of fact, as Jon says in his blog post, every second of life is gift wrapped and should be cherished.

Happy Thanksgiving!
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Rob K. - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - Nice1 Rob.

I agree, we don't give ourselves enough credit for the good in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!
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Honestas - Saturday, November 24, 2007 - Yes, it is nice to thank yourself, and it feels good. But come on! Considering my place in recorded history, I did very little to earn the blessings enjoyed in my life. I cannot thank myself for the nurturing environment into which I was born, nor can I thank myself for my configuration of DNA. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and the perch is precarious. Even so, I laud you for taking the time to reflect. Happy thanksgiving.
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Dana - Saturday, November 24, 2007 - "sort of like your life was given to you"... Yup. It was. Don't sidestep it. Our parents and ancestors all the way back were able to somehow procreate and ultimately bring us here. However our freewill makes us beautifully unique and that *is* something to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!
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Rob K. - Sunday, November 25, 2007 - I wasn't trying to say that we shouldn't be thankful for the other people in our lives, just that we should realize that the other people in our lives are drawn to us in one way or another because of who we are. So, when you raise a glass to all the people in your life that you are thankful for, thank yourself for attracting them.
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Kalpesh - Friday, December 28, 2007 - Rob, If you look at most cultures & festivals, some of them have forgotten/forgetting the actual purpose of celebrating something. I am a "Jain" based in Mumbai, India. There is a yearly period of 10 days, where people fast, pray & ask for forgiveness & say something like "please forgive me for all my bad deeds, thoughts to you or any living being" It all becomes a ritual when it doesn't spring from within. Look at all festivals or celebrations - we seem to ignore the core & enjoy the rest. Sad, but true. BTW, thanks for writing such a wonderful blog & this post as well. net has changed the way people learn from other. I learnt a lot from all the bloggers/podcasts etc, to whom I haven't met personally yet. Thank you all. I am really grateful for what I have learnt from you.