So Damn Grateful…
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Terri Wingham is the founder and CEO of A Fresh Chapter, a cancer survivor, and someone who believes that we are not defined by the most difficult aspects of our story. |
“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
The scent of fresh espresso, the chatter of friends catching up on the minutia of life, and the sun lighting up the street beyond my new favourite coffee shop/office. NYC – it’s good to be here. Even with transportation hiccups like taking the train to Connecticut instead of New Rochelle to work out the #Delhi2013 logistics with Cross-Cultural Solutions OR lugging my rolling duffle up and down subway steps until the sweat cascaded from my chin to my dress, I still love NYC in all of its gritty charm.
Although I am missing my favourite holiday of the year (Canadian Thanksgiving), I couldn’t be more grateful. Grateful for the journey that began when I gave up my apartment in Vancouver a year ago. Grateful to every single one of you who shares this Fresh Chapter Adventure with me. And, most of all, grateful to the people who have fed me, clothed me, housed me, supported me, and helped me continue to leap into the unknown and believe in the power of giant dreams.
As Elizabeth Gilbert says, sometimes we have to “surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity”. Miraculous is the only word I can think of to describe the love and support friends and strangers continue to give me. Thank you for inspiring me to remember the power each of us have to make a difference in the life of another person.
Although I will spend this Thanksgiving weekend in NYC “working”, I could not be happier about it. With over 25 cancer survivors interested in joining us for the adventure of a lifetime, I can’t wait to connect with each person and finalize the first 12 people who will be packing their bags and traveling with us to India. #Delhi2013 is just the beginning of many more adventures to come…
l want to share a passage from last year’s thanksgiving blog. It continues to give me strength during life’s tougher moments.
BE THANKFUL FOR…
BY AUTHOR UNKNOWN
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
Comments (10)
Happy Thanksgiving, friend. The world is so grateful for your commitment to your dream. That’s why you’re finding open doors, open arms, comfy beds & yummy food wherever you go.
Thanks lovely! You couldn’t be more right. Open doors, arms, and comfy bed and yummy food. I am so blessed. Sending you lots of positive thanksgiving vibes!
I am thankful for my daughter, a place to call home, food on the table and each day I have the opportunity to live my life.
Having just given you that long awaited real life hug just hours ago, I am tearful as I read your words. Yes.. as in.. the keyboard is wet.
Thank you for being you, Terri. You have a gift and you ARE a gift and my world is a better place because you are a part of it.
MUCH love to you….
AnneMarie
ps-It’s a beautiful day to be in NYC…. Enjoy it and Happy Thanksgiving, my sweet dear friend…
xoxox
Thank you for being you. Miss you lovely and wish I could pop back down to NYC for another visit. Hugs. T xo
Happy Thanksgiving to a bloggess whom I admire very much. Keep up the good work. I’m grateful for that poem you shared. xo
I love the poem and hope you don’t mind if i share it. As another breast cancer survivor I find your journey inspiring. Re gratitude, to me it is everything. I am grateful for it all.
Lianne – Thanks for your comment and for sharing the poem. We all have so much to be grateful for!
I’m glad I found your blog…from Twitter/Instagram to WordPress to here. I can’t wait to continue to read your adventures. Part of your volunteerism is what motivated me to some local volunteering. Thank you!
Heather – Thanks so much for the comment and for sharing your plans to volunteer locally. You Go Girl! There is so much each of us can do to make a difference!