What are you most thankful for?

[Duleigh]

“Much is made of genius & talent, but the foundation of any life where you get to realize your ambitions is simply being able to out-last everyone through the tough, crappy times—whether thru sheer determination, a strong support network or simply a lack of options.” - Jane Freeman

In your life what have you been most thankful for:

• Sheer determination
• Strong Support Network
• A Lack of Options
• Other

For me it is item C - A Lack of Options. When I graduated from high school I had two items laid out before me to create a base for my future: Jack and Shit.

There were no jobs and no money available to pay for an education so I took the option that was most detested by most people at the time - Shit, which was the new (at the time) all voluntary military. (That option is still available to the young high school graduate!!!) I received training, a 'round the world "cruise," a FREE degree (I actually had leftover cash in my pocket after tuition, books, and lab fees were paid in FULL each quarter), "free" health care for life, and enough material for dozens and dozens of stories.

Of that list, what are you most thankful for?

 

[SimonDoom]

Great parents. I've been blessed beyond measure in that regard. I owe everything to the support they have given and the example they have set.

 

[Duleigh]

Great parents. I've been blessed beyond measure in that regard. I owe everything to the support they have given and the example they have set.

I love that, what a great answer.

I too had amazing parents, we were flat broke and they taught me and my siblings a lesson that helped them survive the depression and helped us survive all kinds of economic turmoil - stand tall and depend on yourself, and I love them for that lesson.

 

[MediocreAuthor]

From that list?

Strong support network. My family is so amazing, and I feel like they have my back no matter what.

When I read the question, my first thought was:

 

[Duleigh]

From that list?

Strong support network. My family is so amazing, and I feel like they have my back no matter what.

When I read the question, my first thought was:View attachment 2252956

Great meme, I almost forgot about that scene, I thought he was holding a gun to Deadpool's head (a major impossibility) but of course, that is a good option too, if you're patient.

 

[lovecraft68]

First one, sheer tenacity, and also the ability to simply survive the first half of my life which was pretty fucked up.

22 years ago I can add support group because that's when I met the woman who would save me from me. Soul mate, light in my darkness and who has believed in me when I haven't.

Not sure where it falls under, but I have an extreme level of fuck you that drives me to never slow down and to never stop trying to be better at anything I do. Its a negative attitude that somehow leads to some positive results.

 

[drobert44]

Glad at 78, I can ride a bike for an hour in this heat.

 

[Duleigh]

22 years ago I can add support group because that's when I met the woman who would save me from me. Soul mate, light in my darkness and who has believed in me when I haven't.

Not sure where it falls under, but I have an extreme level of fuck you that drives me to never slow down and to never stop trying to be better at anything I do

That is clearly a combination of a strong support network and a lack of options. Sometimes we need to shout our battle cry (GO FUCK YOURSELF!) and we don't have the courage - good on ya for having the guts to tell the world to "Get Bent!" (that's an old school Fuck You) and give that support section of yours an extra hug from the Duleigh Dogpound, she sounds incredible.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

That I’m still just about in one piece.

My other half.

That I’m okay for now.

That I’m still creative.

That I have friends.

That I am enough.

 

[Comshaw]

“Much is made of genius & talent, but the foundation of any life where you get to realize your ambitions is simply being able to out-last everyone through the tough, crappy times—whether thru sheer determination, a strong support network or simply a lack of options.” - Jane Freeman

In your life what have you been most thankful for:

• Sheer determination
• Strong Support Network
• A Lack of Options
• Other

For me it is item C - A Lack of Options. When I graduated from high school I had two items laid out before me to create a base for my future: Jack and Shit.

There were no jobs and no money available to pay for an education so I took the option that was most detested by most people at the time - Shit, which was the new (at the time) all voluntary military. (That option is still available to the young high school graduate!!!) I received training, a 'round the world "cruise," a FREE degree (I actually had leftover cash in my pocket after tuition, books, and lab fees were paid in FULL each quarter), "free" health care for life, and enough material for dozens and dozens of stories.

Of that list, what are you most thankful for?

All three of those with a bit of another: luck.
The determination for me is the quiet kind, with a tiny bit of lack of an option. Unlike LC I don't yell it to the world and challenge all comers. I just do what needs doing to keep going, fight, flee, snarl whatever is needed. For most the options are: give up or keep going. For me the first of those two is never an option thus the lack of said options.

My old man told me years ago (and I adopted the philosophy), "If someone is having a banquet of beating your ass, you make damn sure you get a ham sandwich on the way down." That isn't just for physical confrontations. It's for any time you must face off against another person. They may tear you a new one, but if you get your ham sandwich the next time around they will think twice about doing it again.

Support network. That came in after I was in adulthood. My wife, her family, my siblings all are my support network. They believed in a rough, ragtag young man when others didn't. They pushed me in the right direction and followed me to make sure I went.

A lack of options. There have been few times in my life when I didn't have options. Sometimes it was a choice of bad or worse, but there was still a choice. One of the few times was when I was drafted into the military. I ended up in an unwanted and unpopular war but in actually being drafted was good for me. Had I stayed at home I probably would have eventually gone to jail. But that one involuntary action set me on a path away from those things that would have put me behind walls.

Which brings me to the last, luck. It does exist. It isn't something you can predict. It's random. It comes when it wants and stays away when it wants. But it is a thing. How else do you explain people who have been through things, over and over, where death is a fraction of a second from them and survived, but you also have those whose first brush with a situation like that causes their death? If I were to detail all the things I've lived through most would call me a liar. That said, from my experience, from empirical observation luck is a thing and it has played a big part in my life.

All three of those...and luck.


Comshaw

 

[MrPixel]

Other. My health, and my wife's health. I turn 70 in a few months, she turns 76 in September. We are both active and having fun with life, and she is still stunningly gorgeous. When the doctors say after glancing twice at my chart, "You're in great shape for your age! Could lose some weight, however...", well, I'll take it!

I'm going to turn around in my chair here...

"Are you going to do any treadmill time today?"

"Probably! I think I'll go for a little more distance this time."

And there you have it. (She just hopped on the treadmill not four feet behind me.)

 

[Seadog777]

I'm most thankful that God blessed me with my 2 daughters.

I'd legitimately be in prison or dead, if they hadn't come into my life.

Y'all think "I'm bad or an asshole" on here; before them, I was quick to put people in the hospital and no qualms about doing so.

 

[Rob_Royale]

It's a long list. Every person who's influenced me for better or for worse, every trial, tribulation, or joyous occurrence has helped make me who I am. I'm happy with who I am. I try to be a decent, moral, kind human being and for the most part I'm successful. I'm thankful for it all. Life is good.

 

[Handley_Page]

Being able to see clearly

 

[Lady_Libra_]

Job, Roof over my head, food in my fridge, vehicle to drive, and family/friends,

 

[Emilymcplugger]

that @Duleigh created this thread.

It is an act of defiant sincerity in a cynical world.