A Post for the Holidays

Hello, readers! Well, it's not Thanksgiving yet, but I'll just say it anyway. Happy Thanksgiving! What am I thankful for? Well, many things, actually, but I am definitely thankful for you all: the readers and followers of this blog.
                                                            Cindi Albright (rustiqueart)
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Thanks for listening to my rants, opinions and funny stories. I hope they made you laugh until your sides split and I hope they made you think until your brain hurt (okay, maybe not that much).

During this time of year, we all have a chance to reflect on what we care about in our lives. At many Thanksgiving tables,before eating, family members take turns saying what they are thankful for. Usually, you'll hear things like, "I am thankful for my family, my friends, my job, this food, my home...." etc. However, when you are thankful for something it means you place value on that person, item or action. Though the holidays may not call for it, we place value on more than just friends, family, etc.



Take me for example. I would definitely list friends as a group of people I am thankful for, but I am,also, thankful for things that many people would consider less sentimental or even shallow. My laptop is the perfect item to begin this list! Yes, I know it is an inanimate object. Yes, I know writing this makes me seem materialistic, but the truth is my laptop opens a knowledge gateway for me. Through my laptop and via the internet, I have been able to research and study various (random) topics that interest me. And I'm talking about serious topics like gendercide and racism, not cat videos or celebrity trash news. I still read books as well, but my laptop provides me with easy access to what some would claim to be all the knowledge in the world (exaggeration). Also, like many people, when it's hard to find support and understanding in the real world, you cal always find some online community that you will relate to. This was me with my natural hair journey.

Let's see. What else? I am thankful for music. Perhaps, this one is less materialistic than a laptop, but I don't think it is something you hear usually. The fact is music can save lives. I know it sounds corny, but it's the truth. I think we all have been on the brink. The brink of what? Well, that depends on you and your situation, but we all have, at least at one point in our lives, felt completely isolated, misunderstood and sad (take one or any combo). During these times, it's nice to put in a pair of headphones or turn the stereo up to listen to people who let us know that we aren't alone. For me these people were musical performers like Eminem, Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne and Pink, to name a few. Their music really spoke to me and stopped me from making some really stupid decisions. Pink's words, "you're fucking perfect to me," gave me strength to not be afraid of others judgement. Linkin Park's song "Numb" made me happy because I knew that there were others who were feeling the same way.

Now let's look at the darker side. The fact is, sometimes in life bad things can turn into really good things. Just to give you a general statement. I'm thankful for all the pain in my life. No, I am not a sadist, but the pain in my life has made me stronger and that's a good thing. It has made me unique. Most of my life I was always a runner up and man, did the world like to remind me of it. Oh, how the world loved to bring me down! To make me feel like shit. However, with every wound my skin became thicker, tougher and I learned to heal faster. Because of all my pain, I am who I am now: strong, independent and progressing. It's a never ending journey and pain keeps pushing me.

So, to wrap things up and not bring any more negativity on your holidays, remember that,sometimes, what we are thankful for goes beyond the typical listing. Until next time! :)

Your Turn: So, what are you thankful for? What has really made a difference in your life this year? I want to know so, don't be afraid to share.