I Am Thankful!

My wife Liz and I were enjoying another beautiful sunset over the lake from our lanai and commenting on the many things we are thankful for. We started making a list that continues to grow!

• Good Health - Even if you’re health isn’t great, it could be worse and you likely still have some working parts to be thankful for.
• Money in the Bank - Having just a few coins makes you richer than most people on Earth.
• Good Friends – Most of the time, it’s the quality of friendships, not the quantity. Cherish your friends.
• Having a Partner - Being in a loving relationship can teach you so much about the world and yourself.
• Pets – Our dog Tiki is one of the best examples of unconditional love ever!
• Education - The opportunity to attend school is something many people don’t have. I am lucky that I got to go to college and continued my education in the U.S. Air Force, which brings me to what the United States and our troops still fight for:
• Freedom - The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. The absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government. The the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Much of the world has not experienced this.
• Books and the Ability to Read - if you’re reading this right now, you have a lot to be thankful for. Books provide an opportunity to enter another world all from the comfort of your own home. 774 million people in the world cannot read. Go grab a good book!
• Laughter - Without laughter, the world would be such a sad place. 
• Sunshine - The sun’s warmth can brighten any day and I am thankful to live in The Sunshine State!
• Time - Although we often don’t think there’s enough of it, time is something we shouldn’t take for granted.
• Freedom of Speech - Being able to express your thoughts and feelings freely should never be taken for granted.
• Mentors - I have had many mentors in my life and especially these past 10 years as a Realtor. You know who you are.
• Wisdom that Comes with Age - Thankfully, we grow smarter over time. I hope this means I’m pretty smart!
• The Beach - Our beautiful beaches in Sarasota provide us with beauty and recreation all year long.
• Sunsets - Sunsets are a reminder that we should enjoy the simple things in life and in Sarasota, the sunset is always a beautiful event.
• My Mind - Being able to think, remember, and solve problems sure makes life easier. I am grateful my mind is still working just fine!
• Career - I am fortunate to have had many careers throughout my life and I have loved them all. 
• Moon and Stars -  My wife and I are always looking up at the sky and remarking what a miracle it is that this...and we...exist at all. The moon and stars encourage us to dream.
• Air Conditioning - Staying cool on a hot day is something people wouldn’t have dreamed about in past centuries. I grew up in Sarasota without it as a child, but I sure appreciate it now!
• Ability to Learn - The ability to learn new things means we have endless potential. I am always looking to learn new things and constantly re-educating myself. We should never stop learning.
• People Willing to Teach - Whether it’s your dad teaching you to build a house as mine did or my years of teaching computer classes, be grateful that others are willing to use their time and talents to teach you something new.
• Modern Medicine - Without advances in modern medicine, many of us wouldn’t be alive. In Sarasota we have access to one of the finest medical communities.
• Music - Music brings out emotions, memories and joy...pop those earbuds in your ears or go to the many music venues in Sarasota!
• An Internet Connection – It’s easy it is to take the internet for granted, seeing how none of us had just a couple of decades ago. I was on the cutting edge of technology all those many years ago and it still amazes me.
• Challenges - Without challenges in life, we wouldn’t be the people we are now. When I started in Real Estate in 2008...the year the bottom dropped out of the market, it was rough. But it made me a better Realtor and I have been successful for more than 10 years in a business I love.
• Growing up in Sarasota - I can't imagine a better place than Sarasota to call my Hometown! We have it all...great weather, the #1 Beach on Siesta Key, a wonderful local art community along with the Ringling Museum, the Ringling College of Art and Design, the Asolo
• Having a Home - Whether you live in an apartment, a condo, a mansion, or a tent in Myakka State Park, having a place to call home is something to be thankful for. Not to mention a home in paradise - Liz and I are grateful everyday that we live here. (And if you are looking to buy a home in Sarasota, I’m your guy!)

Liz and I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you - our friends, clients, family, mentors and teachers and we cherish you!