I am thankful that I am able to be thankful. It is a blessing just to be able to enjoy life, especially the simple things in life. When I returned from the war in Vietnam I was a very angry and bitter person. I was mad at the universe; their was a black could that enveloped me and followed me around. I hated myself and was angry at life. I had lost my eyesight due to war and I struggled for more than a year to accept that. I was mad at the U.S. government also.

It took more than a decade for me to turn things around and come to appreciate living. In the beginning it started with me getting into the helping profession, and helping others, after I got my eyesight back. Then I learned how to quiet my mind and that took me deeper. Without a chattering mind my life became simpler. Through much work on myself I found love inside of myself. And I learned that I did not need to have a reason to love or to be happy. Self-love helped to remove that dark cloud.

Happiness for me became a natural state of being; joy and happiness helped to open my heart. Going from the pain and anger I had experienced during the Vietnam War, to the love and fulfillment of life, which I now have, was a journey. A journey that required a lot of self exploration on an increasingly deep level. I am thankful that I am no longer in that horrible space of self loathing, pain and anger. I am thankful for the light that is now in my life, and the ability to be able to appreciate that light.

Starman, you made it, but not everybody makes it.

But then, you have helped a lot of others.............

I am thankful that I've had the opportunity to help others in my life through the careers and jobs I've had. Be it of national and community services. Overcoming of physical disabilities and the direction my life has gone is and where it's going.

Overcoming physical disabilities is something I have had to overcome, so in a way, I know a little bit about what you are talking about.

15 years ago I had a stroke. Right side (arm/hand & leg) and speech affected. 6 years ago had half of my left leg amputated due to the love of martial arts I was into.

What did you have to overcome BigJohn?

My ability to heal, persevere, and the sun shinning on me while i was running.

The opportunity to do what i enjoy.

Yes empathic sensitivity is quite the roll.. lol

My extended family thought I was the odd child growing up especially six boys. Interestingly now they have a lot of respect for me and everything I’m able to create and be as a sensitive.

I remember one time one brother said to me. “Well if you can read animals and people tell me what’s wrong with my dog?” He needed direct proof and this was his moment. Lol. I sat quietly with the dog, placed my hands on him and after a few mins of listening. I said “there is something wrong with both his ears” I think I added “inflammation”. His face dropped and then he smiled. “How did you know that?” (Apparently the dog had a vet visit and three hundred dollar bill to have this diagnosed that morning) I replied. “Presence and listening work a treat!”

Genuine gratitude requires humility, and it is built into a humble nature.

I know this too well, having heard of many, and known some, veterans from a lot of different wars, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc., who took their own life because of the pain and anguish they experienced from war. My being able to help others helped me, and I also know lots of military veterans who took the same path, of helping others, and it bought healing to them as well.

Interesting how today the U.S. VA hospitals are teaching veterans how to quiet their mind and do meditation to alleviate some of the symptoms of combat-related ptsd. I learned how to meditate from a guru back in the 1970’s before it had ever entered mainstream society. In my opinion, we often have to go through hell to get to heaven, and most have to put the work in on themselves to make it.