For the past few weeks my news feed on Facebook has been filled with one thing my friends are thankful for each day from the beginning of November up to, and sometimes through, Thanksgiving. Seeing all of this makes me reflect on all the things I am thankful for. The obvious being family, friends, health, and happiness. I expect most people are thankful for these things, but what's next? The material things: clothes, toys, etc. The "necessities": food, shelter, etc. Well, for me, what has consumed me is something that most people might not think of as quickly. I'm thankful for those people that have created conflict in my life.
Confused by that one? Let me explain a bit. A few years ago I had a confrontation with two of my closest friends that eventually led to the end of our friendships because at the end of the day they just didn't want to be friends anymore. For lack of a better term, I was dumped. Since that happened I have spent a LOT of time thinking about what it meant, what friendships meant, what I could have done differently, etc. Part of the reason I think this stayed on my mind so much was due to the fact that I never really got any closure. Until now. Not that they have come back and been willing to talk, or even accept an occasional well wish from me, but because I think I have finally made sense of it. These two "friends" have allowed me to see how strong I am, see just who does truly care about me, who I really can turn to when I'm down, and who wants to be a part of my life. And then I expanded on this idea I found that it was not only them, but EVERY ONE that has caused or been a source of conflict in my life - ex-boyfriends, opponents, rivals, people that simply didn't like me, etc. Each one of these people I am thankful for because while they have caused pain in my life they have also made me stronger with each challenge. Without these people would I have been able to get through such things as depression, miscarriage, and other life crisis? Don't get me wrong, my friends and family were a huge help through most of my struggles, but from these "other" people I have found inner strength, my husband, my TRUE friends, and people that I will always consider family even if we're not "related". Without these "other" people I would not be where I am today. Period.
So to all of you that kicked me when I was down, I say Thank You! For now I know I can pick myself up and I know who will be there waiting to help me put it all back together and I am truly THANKFUL for that!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope you all know - you know who you are - that I am THANKFUL for you!
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