Being Grateful.

My family: what I'm really grateful for!

It takes patience and reflection to truly be grateful, it’s definitely not automatic. Living in one of the most expensive parts of the world can be frustrating at times, but I’m grateful for spectacular weather and proximity to world-class venues.

I’m also grateful for the supply and diversity of business opportunities Silicon Valley offers—this is not a one trick pony like many other areas of the US such as Detroit’s auto industry or steel in Pittsburgh.

I live in an area that fosters and supports small business, entrepreneurship, and risk and for that I’m grateful. I live in a diverse region with a large immigrant population. People with many different ethnic backgrounds have come here looking for opportunities; a chance to upgrade their life and support their family. One city is home to both Google, one of the most innovative companies in the world, and a day laborer center—where else can you find such dichotomy and acceptance?

I’m grateful for many other basic but nonetheless amazing things in my life as well like, health, family, transportation, and clean water. The things we assume as automatics.

But I guess the thing I’m most grateful for is having the perspective and understanding that I live in a bubble and most other people in the world struggle far greater than I do. I’m sure 80% of the world population would scoff at my troubles. Poor countries worry about; food, disease, medicine, running water, shelter, and education—not if there is a Starbucks nearby.

Be grateful.