You do NOT judge me!!
Good Folk of the SBM Community,
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving here in the States (because you know we got international readers…and sh*t), it’s a time to celebrate, reflect, and get some time off work, shop on Black Friday, and thronx until the cows come home relax and enjoy the company of loved ones. One tradition that my family has (actually it’s the default Thanksgiving tradition but #dontjudgeme) is that we go around the table saying a prayer of thanks. Since I consider you my family, I will carry this staple of the Streetztalk family to you! Reflecting on this past year, although 2009 has been tough as hell, I realize I have many things for which I am thankful:
Health
3 years ago I made a commitement to myself to attain excellent physical health. I saw how illness decimated my family and the African American community in general, and I’d rather be physically fit and workout consistently now, then when I’m 40+ and my doctor tells me that my health is in danger. I eat MUCH better than I did at any point in my life, I work out consistently (lets forget the last 6 weeks though), and as of my last checkup, that 65 on my blood test says all is well! I just hope that I can carry on this conviction for excellent health without significant falloff! Check my progress on Streetztalk as always!!
Family
We’ve gone through it the last 2 years, but still we stand. Everyone is maintanin and trying to amke it in this cold world. We may argue, and have differences, but they are my family and I love them. We tend to take a lot of LOSSES for family, but whether you know it or not, those same people will be there at your highest and lowest points in life, whether they are blood relatives or close friends. I’m glad to have them here and healthy. They support me and motivate me to be better, and I’m thankful for them
Work
I could always be unemployed. This US job market is real rap. Don’t get it twisted. We all find aggravation with our jobs, but as the quote goes “I once was sad because i had no shoes, until I met a man who had no twitter feet” So I will keep grinding and do what I gotta!
Negative Life Experiences
It might seem strange to say, but I’m thankful for the lessons learned from all the negativity that I experienced in my life and this year in general, whether directly or indirectly. These lessons help me to become a better me, to learn from mistakes, and to react with knowledge and wisdom instead of acting irrational. our life experiences shape up for better or worse. I’m not perfect, but these experiences assist in creating a better, stronger me.
Blogging
If you read my blog on success, you know that I struggle with the notion that I may never reach the level of awesomeness that my parents and peers think I should reach. I even had my chapter brother @kan1906 tell me “you should be a millionaire by now!” and that resonated with me more than he’ll ever know. Fact is, if you don’t work on your strong points or take chances, you’ll never know what you can accomplish. Blogging was one of those chances. Since I made my official step into the bloggosphere in 2008, I’ve met many people who’ve assisted me and helped me to realize that I have something here with this writing thing! Shout to SBM, whom I thank for taking a chance on a kid from Queens to hold this site down. Shout to Slim Jackson, Seattle W and Sowhatiff Knowles Jenkins for allowing me to run a train on guest blog 3ways and spread the gospel according to Streetz. Shout to BlogXilla, Examiner, and everyone else who allowed me to let my talent flourish. Shout to all the readers, Twitter Nationals and friends, for empowering me to be great.
Life flies by in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Yes we bitch and complain about our daly struggles, but sometime we have to stop and say thank you for what we DO have! As the preparty for Christmas approaches tomorrow I ask you SBM Community: What are you thankful for?
Thanks once again
Streetz alias Mr. Write Now alias “I’m going to make love to that Turkey tomorrow, [||]“
**raises glass** Here Here Sands! In the past couple of years I've seen you grab life by the horns and rhock with it. Proud of you always.(no mush LOL)
LOL Luv ya sands!
So I read your post and realized that I’ve never written down what I was thankful for. As a new and young teacher this year, I’ve asked my students over the past 2 weeks: What are you thankful for? However, in general I always tell them that I’m thankful for life. I’m thankful for just being able to wake up in the morning, being able to eat a healthy breakfast, and enjoy certain luxuries that are not available to others. I guess its time to get specific, so here it goes.
Season of Gratitude: thanking those that help keep me grounded…
Family Relationships: I am thankful for family. Whether it’s “blood is thicker than water”, friends (’09), new friends, old friends, colleagues, etc. Whether they’ve been supportive or not, the last few months have been a struggle, and although I’ve stumbled over those hurdles in my life, I’ve never fallen thanks to some of these people. Even though it has been a bumpy ride, I have individuals in my life that are willing to take that ride with me. Reliability can not be stressed enough when I mention these people. My new grad school friends have been a very good support system. In general, all of my friends have been supportive…what can I say..I have friends that read proof read my papers at 3AM for me..I’m sitting in the Bronx and they are in other states..bless their souls..
Health: I’m thankful for my health. It feels great to be able to walk, run, jump, and dance around. Working in a Pre-K class requires this/ my life requires this! My health is something that I’m constantly struggling with to dismantle the rebirth of those diseases in my family. But I try, I work out, I take the stairs instead of the elevator, have replaced that bag of chips with fruit, etc.
Work: I’m very appreciative to have a job, especially in this economy. Fresh out of undergrad I was terrified, but prayers are answered. I am thankful and blessed for that. My colleagues have been wonderful to me. It’s been hard for me, going into this “real world”, but the transition has been smooth and I’m thankful for them. It makes my job easier to work with likable people in a pleasant setting.
Cheers Big Bro.
I am thankful for all of those who "let me be great." In a world so occupied with trying to tear everything down, the government, media, your friends, your friends' friends, and even sometimes your fmaily, I thank those of you who "let me be great."
I am thankful for the haters for without them I would not know the extent of my greatness. To have so many of you hating lets me know that i'm doing something right. Keep up the good work, and refer me to a friend who might need someone to hate on.
In all honesty, this world is a dangerous place. I'm thankful that i'm still here. Lord knows, i've tried to get myself off it more than once or twice. So with that said, i'm going to have some of this Henny and Turkey with the fam and watch the Cowboys go down!!!
Lovely post, Streetz, mayne!
I'm thankful for family, friends, health, the
plantationjob, time-and-a-half pay on Friday, greens, homemade mac n' cheese, and the blog world. Ya'll, in particular, can sure make a sister's work day just fly by!Streetz, you already know I'm behind you on this post…during these times, it would behoove anyone to be grateful for what you have as opposed to what you DON'T have, because it could be MUCH worse these days.
I'm grateful that I have gotten to know folks such as my PP homies, and learn the tricks of the trade from you guys.
BTW – we'll see you on December 6th homie….so be ready to have the carpet at the Meadowlands rolled out for the champs! #NFCEast for life!
#swindle
lol
I'm thankful that I have a wonderful son and a loving family. That's about all you can really ask for.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
That is an ultimate blessing!
Nice post, Streetz.
I'm thankful for family, friends, my job, mylifehealthstrength, and this blog
even though my job blocks it for the adult content 🙁. And I'm thankful for having today off, and for having a week off during the Christmas holiday, Dec 25-Jan. 1. Whoohoo!!!Im still "workin" but I feel you!
I still dont knwo why they block us! They need to give us us FREE
Streetz thank you for being a true brotha like no otha.
thank u sir!
I'm too thankful for Life, first of all, given by our Lord who I should praise more often. Also I'm thankful for a supporting family, fantastic and wonderful friends, the ability to laugh and smile, my health, my enemies, if any, everything I have and everything I don't have. There is nothing I mentioned here that I haven't already been thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Life is the one thing you gotta be thankful ffor… Il tell you it bugs me out how good people die daily and I stay alive. Gotta be thankful that I survive the day!