HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Today I would like to take this time to wish each and every one of you a wonderful and happy THANKSGIVING!!

While this is a specific day set aside for giving thanks, I truly believe that every day that we are allowed to wake up is a day to give thanks.  I know that some of you, and myself on some days, waking up means waking up to pain.  Whatever your pain is, whether it be mental or physical, know that you are not alone and that there are those of us who pray for your strength everyday.

I started this blog as a means to share information about various veteran programs and benefits but it has evolved into so much more.  I have learned so much about the struggles of others and how what I think is a big deal is really just a drop in the bucket compared to those of you whose stories I've had the opportunity to read.

I know that sometimes it gets hard to see the good when there is so much bad in our lives.  As I shared before I suffer from fibromyalgia and one of the symptoms is depression.  Some days I wake up with such a heavy cloud of depression over my head that I don't know how I'm going to get enough energy to get out of the bed, let alone make it through the whole day.  Now, I have to be open and honest here, I do have reasons to be sad.  Not everything in my life is going as smooth as I would like it to go and I know that some of you have these same types of issues going on in your life.

How do I move past this?  Believe me it is not simple but it is essential.  In order for me to move forward I have to find those reasons that make me want to go on.  When the cloud of depression weighs heavy, before I even get out of the bed, I take the time to go through my mind and list all of the positive things in my life.  And I know that some of you may think that you don't have anything positive but I promise you that you do.  If you are able to read this post then that means you are alive, you have access to a computer or smart phone, you have shelter, you have your sight, and you have your right mind.  There are so many others who didn't wake up or who did and have no idea where they are.

So today, on this day of Thanksgiving I challenge each of you to come up with those things in your life that put a smile on your face.  And if you can't think of anything, know that despite what it looks like I am praying for you, and I have some really powerful prayers.  So even if you don't believe in prayer, believe that there will be a better day for you if you just hold on.

As always, thank you for your support and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

TTYL - Be blessed!!