I am thankful for movies. The nights I cant sleep these things have the ability to entertain me so my insomniac ass doesn't wake anyone up just to chit chat. :D

Well although we do not celebrate thanksgiving back here in Malaysia,  this would be a great opportunity to get familiar with this before I head to the US to further my studies.

Back to topic. I'm thankful for all my friends, especially the close ones, but there is three in particular who, if it weren't for him, I would have been stuck walking down a very bad path , bad enough that I probably would be nowhere near this current , much happier and easygoing state that I am in. I was 16 at that time, this friend of mine whom I'd credit him as one of my mentors in life, was always there for me when I needed somebody to talk to. Whether it was girl problems, career choosing decisions, or even just my wellbeing, he was there .

2011.It was a bad year for me. Started on this path to reach my potential as an athlete, dedicated and took it way too seriously to a point my social life went down the hill. Was real close to having something special with a hottie, but all that went away when I took on this challenge. Not only was I training 5-6x a week for my sports, something that I had been doing for about a year, I started weight training too. But all these while, way back to when I was form 1, I started having this tension in my tailbone. It came and go. Long story cut short, 2months into the weight training, i felt tension that I knew was weird. Went to a back specialist and guess what? After a week since I visited the doc, my whole life went crashing down. Imagine a 16year old boy, who had big dreams, big dreams he was willing to work his arse for. Makes a visit to a doc, and in just that 10minutes, the big dream went crashing down when he was told that he has to retire early as a basketball player. 

Within a week, the stretching he told me to do didnt make a difference. I gave up. For months, I was on the computer up to 12midnight. I'd wake up 30minutes earlier every schooling day just to go on the computer. Went to school and was on my mobile phone every hour. Trust me, it was not easy sneaking my phone up during class in a school that prohibits mobile phones in school. I'd go back home at 2, somedays 4, and I'll be on my computer all the way to midnight. No sports. Not much outings . Only computer. Got hooked on so many kind of games. My social life was already screwed up within the same week I found out about my injury. It all went crashing down.

Fast forward to May, my birthday. Not many remembered. While all my other frieds who had their birthdays before me had celebrations, surprises, I had nothing. Even the people closest to me didnt give a shit.I could still remember coming on, talking to people I've met off the net, from mirc or game chats, complaining about this issue. Felt as though my whole life meant nothing. Friends whom I thought I've been a good friend to, dont seem to see it that way. I could still remember talking to somebody who told me she had it worse on her birthday. That made me feel better , only for a while. Carried on for about a day or two. And there came, my mentor. I attended church regularly ever since I was young on Sundays ,and I reached high school I'd go on Saturdays for its youth service. We would be divided into cells, each cell having a leader. That's when I first met my mentor, at the age of 13.  Back then, he wasn't a leader yet, but it wasn't long before he took over. Getting back to 16, so it was about a day or two after my birthday. My mentor messages me , asking me if I was free for lunch before the youth service on Saturday. I was like oh yeah sure cool. I never really told him all my problems. Many  I keep to myself. But all it took, was just that 2hours that he made time for , just so that we could celebrate my birthday.

I slowly came to accept and learnt that it is not how many wishes you get on your birthday , but what you have done over the past year, that defines you. 16 is when you should start deciding what you wanna do when you're out of high school and college. The subjects you take now , are normally the subjects related to the career path you are going to take. Either your'e a science student, or an art student. In addition to my daily lifeless routine , this was another issue at that point of time.

Oh dang, i keep getting off track, that's just one bad habit. I'll try to stick to the topic and cut it short. Back to the point. We went to carl's junior I can still remember. A long conversation we had indeed. I had many interests at that time, and sticking and going with one wasn't really my thing.  All it took, was one person, to sacrifice 2hours of their life, to take a young boy out, celebrating hsi birthday and at the same time, helping him with his problems. 

So to sum it up, I'm really thankful for my mentor. Me being a really hard boy to convince back then, and he staying patient and having to deal with me overthinking all the time and making it hard for him to get a point across. And especially that 2hours of his time, to bring me back up and get out of the shithole I was in for so long.Wasn't long after that before I started doing something about my injury instead of sitting home looking at my computer the whole day. Slowly, I went from twice a week to three times a week of sports, eventually 5-6times a week accompanied with bodyweight workout to strengthen my entire body but my back especially. My social life didnt shoot up skyrocket though, but i got much better. Just from that act of kindness my mentor showed me, i learnt to be a less selfish and self-centered person. I was alone and lonely, a computer addict and not a realyl sociable guy. It was thanks to him that I gained the strength to continue pursuing my dreams .Eventually I met my basketball coach, whom is another person i am very thankful and grateful for as there were so many times were people had no faith in me . I failed or idd not meet some expectations and people who looked up to me soon looked down on me. Times like these when I have lost faith in myself too. But no, he was always there , to support and guide me. 

A long time ago, a man had a vision, that a young boy was going go much further then the boy himself would expect. But 6months passed , nothing much was improved. No matter how hard he worked , putting in as much as twice the effort of the other players , and even took twice the amount of time  despite the effort, no thanks to his injuries that held him back. Eventually the boy gave up, but just when he gave up, the man who had the vision, did not lose fiath or hope in the boy. The boy came to realize one day that he lost the passion he thought he always had, instead, continued playing because of his pride. The only thing he was known for was his work ethic, and that's the only thing people talk about him.That's what made him different and special. To stop pursuing the sport, was to literally break his pride down to a point he'd become a nobody again, crushing his life and all that he ever worked for. On one hand , was his accomplishments that he was known for, but on the other hand, it was the side of him he never really got to explore . But to explore that other side of him, would be starting from scratch again, not knowing if the outcome is going to be any different than the outcome he's been living.

Despite all these, he knows very well that he has to move on. To find out that he has been pursuing something for a wrong reason all these while was already bad enough. But to find out and not do anything about it would just be stupid. eventually I managed to get over it with the support of a girl I knew for a long time that I came to love. I let go of everything and started from the bottom again. Although we didn't work out, she made me a better person along with my mentor and coach. So yeah, I think I've said way too much haha. 

So once again, I'm really thankful to these three persons in my life. Without them, I would still be stuck in a nightmare, endless cycle of failures leading nowhere, and made lots of bad decisions i'd have regretted with some girls I met.

Sorry if it out a little too lengthy haha.

cheers

I am thankful for all the men and women in our military service. Being one and recently discharged, I know what its like missing the holidays and it doesn't get any easier. 

We all owe you guys. 

well since this hasnt ended, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank my chiropractor for not only being the cool chiropractor he is but also for being one of the most positive persons that i've ever met. He's like no other doctors i've met. yes some may be friendly like him but he has his way, of giving you hope. Two eyars ago I was diagnosed with a hairline fracture at my lower back, as well as overall very stiff body.

the lumber number 4 and 5 was mentioned. same l4 l5 problem when i went to a chinese doctor.

about 3weeks ago, even months after stopping weight training, intense bodyweight workout would leave me with uneven tension felt throughout my back as i lie down to sleep at night for about a minute. So I thought, what's the harm checking up. I've already let go of the hard work I put into my training, particularly weight  training, about a year ago, got back to weight training and took 2months to get back to where I was, so hey, why not?

Always suspected my muscles were way to imbalance or that my posture isn't right. True enough, the xray showed that i had scoliosis, a condition where your spine is curving abnormally. That explained the uneven tension as well as uneven muscles when tensing my core muscles during exercises like squats or chinups. Ialso had a slight disc protrusion , about 4-6degrees. nothing major.

So alright, the rehab program was 3x a week, 2x readjustment, 3x decompression and some rehab exercises, for 3months

Dad wanted me to get a second opinion.

 That's when I met my doc now. WHen i said he was like no other, I really meant literally. All the doctors I have been to, after answering some questions, they would had me lie down and evaluate me.

I didnt had to lie down at all when this doc was evaluating . asked me to sit down, pressing parts of my spine , doing what the other chiropractors did too. But immediately, he could tell that two parts were inflammed and told me to ice it when I get home 4x a day 5minutes each. Not to mention he talks in this low toned cool accent, probably canadian or something, doesnt have to be loud to hear what he speaks. Really clear. It's only been almost 3weeks since I started going for the rehab process. 

He tells me throughout a course of 9months, I only have to visit him once a week. the rehab exercises I can do at home . Unlike thee other doc I went two a week earlier, each session would take about close to an hour, while his requires no morroe than 10minutes. They were also really against anything other than swimming and the exercises they tell you to do at the centre, powerplates etc. For my doc? You can do anything as long as you're not over-straining and you're on your feet, not literally on your feet of course. Basically no sprints or runs or jumps. He also stuck to compound exercises like body weight mobility work full squats, chin ups, push ups and one more mobility exercise.

The other doc? no push ups, no chin ups , or even squats, At all.I have a friend who goes there and they do exercises like planks, and those typical off the book rehab exercises.

What makes him different than the rest is that he actually talks to you. The others are like, well, they give you the impression of a typical strict teacher, while my doc gives you the impression of teh super cool teacher haha.Other than being real flexible, positive, he looks at your overall wellbeing. Ways to get proper and better sleep, some supplements like fish oil, as well as your diet. But honestly, the best part of it all is his accent. He goes to work with a suit and tie too, that makes it more epic. Hardly see a doc that dresses that well to work haha.

Well here's a picture of him on his book.

http://tinypic.com/r/bgegy9/5

One again, though it's been only 3weeks, I've never been these positive ever about my injury. Thanks doc.

Peace

I am thankful I live in a first world and free country where I have equal rights and can go to school to get an education to better myself , I am able to wake up everyday and have access to water nutritious food a warm and nice pair of clothes. I am also able to walk freely on the streets and not be afraid of what is going to happen I know I can make it to home and wherever I am going safely it is a great feeling I thank those who fight for my freedom for giving me this.

Now third world countries don't get a lot if any of these things such as a home clothes food an education or something as simple as fresh drinking water as well some girls cannot even go to school or vote because they do not have the rights or thought of as equals it is a harsh world out there and people need to stop and think about what we have and not think about what we don't because you don't even have to look at third world countries you can go downtown or some places within your city and see though some people live in a "first world" their world is a third world and we should be grateful that we are fortunate enough to live the way we do I know I am and I am most thankful for my parents for giving me all the opportunities to live comftorable and better my life for myself and my future family I hope to one day have and do the same for.

Just a thought. friends come and they go. Quite rarely do you grow old and wrinkly with the same friend by your side  ever since you two were as young as you could remember. some cases,the ones you end up hanging out often  with for the rest of your life are often the ones you work with and you yourself have finally settle down in life. Some friends you were so close with when you were young that you could've fooled others that you two are brothers. But then ya grow up and start seeing them less often, and eventually the inevitable , ya move on in your separate ways ,taking different paths in life. If you're fortunate, the path meets somewhere down the road, and sticks together till the end of your journey. If not, your paths never cross each others' and you never get to see them ever again.

Whatever it is, friendship, as quoted from Muhammad Ali, is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship,you really haven't learned anything.

Since i've only barely seen what the world has to offer  or explore it,  I can't be too sure of what's in line for me. But you dont need to be 70 or 80  to have had experience bits and pieces of any of the situations mentioned. it's only nearly been two decades of my time on earth. Of course, my whole life could be a lie and I might actually be much younger or older but that's besides the point.

Anyways, though my time on earth has not been extremely long, I've had countless friends in my life, friends who I called good and close friends, friendships that I'd never thought would go from buddies to utter nothingness . Not even hanging out at least once a year . Not any sort of contact made, almost as if we were nothing but strangers that have never once met or spoken with before.

As you're taking the subway to work, or as you're walking down the street to your workplace or house, the strangers whose name you don't even know, except the fact that they take this particular road or pass by this particular stop on their way to wherever they're heading to. Even these strangers you pass by frequently, nothing but exchanges of hi's and bye's , makes you feel like they were in the same world with you and not worlds apart , unlike he people you once were friends with and close to up to a point you could he they could predict your next words or actions sometimes, one way or another. But now, they're strangers again.

You know to be honest, I miss most of them. It's like the older you get, the more friends you lose and new friends gained, but the friends you were really close with, almost disappears. Not all, but many. I remember how me and a girl used to be real close. Got to be me whenever I was talking or with her. She'd even ask me out for pingpong , had her mum come fetch me since we were only in our second third year in high school.  Guess where are we in terms of friendship. Yeah that's right, we do not barely talk anymore, we've not spoken for close to a year. Whenever we spoke during those years , it went from really good friends talking our hearts out, to sometimes not even hi or bye. I probably have had my dream on going to the NBA played a part in screwing up that friendship too, just one of the many.

The mentor I mentioned about two posts ago? Yeah you could say I kinda lost him. We used to talk every now and then. But I guess even he couldn't prevent me from taking a very probable unlikable path. Or maybe I annoyed him with my high tendency of overthinking and making a issue out of nothing. I guess that's why I enjoy my Philosophy subject in my current semester now ha!

Well of course, still a hi and bye, and a "never seen you for a long time", that's all. But I guess that's just one of the challenges in life I gotta overcome, being independent. I guess he brought me as far as he could, the rest was up to me. My coach too , after quiting basketball , we stilll hung out once every few months, but eventually we stopped hanging out. College sure has a thing for making ya busy huh haha.

I guess it's enough writing about losing friends and all . Even though I've had my fair share of seeing friends come and go,  I've certainly met new friends, new good friends. Took no more than 3-4months to be real close to a person. Still talk really often with a friend in high school whom was sitting infront of me for two years, not much with the one next to me or the one next to my friend infront of me. I can't be certain that these bunch of friends are gonna stick close together for a really long time, but whatever it is, I guess I'm just thankful to have made many friends even though I've lost many, and that what goes around comes around.

If it's one thing to take back from writing this, it's an increased awareness of how important and valuable friendships are. Try going through a week without talking to anybody, and I'd feel as though I've not spoken or contacted any form of life for months, like as though I've been stranded on an island away from everybody. So once again, I'm thankful, for the ability to make friends.

Peace

Well its da last day, I'll save the best for last. I just wanna  thank my mother for giving birth to me, my father for supporting my mother to give birth to me, God for creating this world, my brother for teaching me how to fight and introducing me to awesome shows, and last but not least, if its anything it's these two things that I cant live without and am thankful for.

One of which is  a very valuable soft toy I have since young. Yeah I know, most peopel my age would've long outgrown softtoys. I guess once in a while it some people like me needs something to bring back the child in us. Maturing or being matured may not necessarily mean much fun in my experience.Well I've had him ever since I was as young as I could remember.  No joke , I never thought anybody was cool enough to make a movie of a soft toy, a teddy bear to be specific, alive, who grows up with his owner. Yeah that's right, Ted the movie, by the awesome Seth Macfarlene. To cut the long story short, of course I know it's not real. But it's helped me through lots .

There were days where I was feeling lost, empty, or even thinking that my parents do what they do to provoke me. It's like as though halfway through raising you up you gave them too much troubles that they thought it'd only be fair if they got to throw some shit on you in return. It aint atually like that but things escalates so high at times.

Why if it's anything it's my softtoy I gotta be thankful for is that through times like these, times where i've calmed down enough after being outraged or angry, or times when I get into a state that makes life look dull and boring and unhappy . Whenever I look at  or think of it,  somehow, it reminds me of memories of the good old' days, back when I was still an ignorant and "innocent" child who had nothing but happiness and fun. Happy memories of me and my family going for holidays, hotels, swimming pools, things I really wanted that my parents got me(not all of course). Eventually these things did heck more of a job than what they were made for. They reminded me that my parents loved me.

I gotta admit when I'm too angry, I have trouble controlling it. But eventually ya gotta cool down.Same goes with stress too, but unlike anger, it's easier to put the stress aside for a while. So when I cooldown enough or am really stressed, I'd go to my foot massager or roll massage my foot on a rubber ball. The foot massager or the magic rubber ball somehow has it ways of making you giggle up to a point your stress  uncontrollably  gets giggled away. If you're wondering that's the second thing i'm really thankful for haha.

I'd recommend anybody a foot massager , especially if you're stressed and or are on your foot alot . But if it's not the foot massager I go to my softtoy. act stupid and retarded with it as if it was real like Ted, releasing all the child in me out, then go back to my normal life. It's dead to the world but alive in my imagination and preferred alternate ideal reality.

So yeah, well I think this would be the first time I ever celebrated Thanksgiving in anyway. Even though it's not celebrated here, this was a pretty good experience. 

And this my friends, is the magic rubber 50cents ball:

http://tinypic.com/r/2wqy4uo/5

Amazing how a ball worth 50cents could make your day haha

Well then, nothing more I should say. Hope whoever reads this enjoyed it and peace out. Happy thanksgiving in advance people

Where do I even begin. There is so much to be thankful for, not just during this time of year, but all year round. I am thankful for the roof over my head, the heat in my home when it is cold, the air conditioner when it is hot. I am thankful for my health and the health of my loved ones. I am so very grateful and thankful to the men and women that have served our country and risked their lives for the freedom of a nation that doesn't show them as much appreciation as they should. I'm thankful for history and how the men that founded this country thought enough ahead to want to preserve the way of life they envisioned for this country to set up rules and laws to protect that vision. 

I'm thankful for the friends that I've made. The ones that have come and gone and especially the ones that have stuck around. I would not be the person I am today without those people. I've learned something from each and every person that I have been lucky enough to know. I'm thankful for the good times and the bad. I'm thankful for hardships because they have taught me how to view things in a positive light. I am thankful for every heartbreak, every tear shed, every smile, every laugh. 

I am thankful for my son and everything he has taught me. As a child of divorced parents, growing up I never wanted to be a parent myself. Then my son came into my life and my world changed. He is a true blessing each and every day. There is something about looking into that innocent face, those big brown eyes, his amazing dimpled smile that chokes me up. I am thankful for his witty remarks that make me laugh. I am thankful for the wonderment and innocence that he brings into a conversation. I am thankful for his tender heart and the compassion he has for other people. I am thankful for the things that his little eyes see that my old eyes have long since taken for granted. 

I am thankful for second chances. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and the willingness to be taught new things. I am thankful to have choices and options. I could go on with so much more, but I think I'll end it by saying hopefully we all remember to be thankful for something every single day of our lives. Life may not always be sunshine and roses, there is nothing guaranteeing that. But there is always something to be thankful for, no matter what day of the year it is.

It sounds so cliched, but I am thankful for love.

Especially that which you are undeserving of and haven't earned. Love that knows no conditions, shows no bias, and exists in and solely of itself. Love for no reason. A stranger stopping on the highway when you've run out of gas who drives you to the next town, then fills up his personal gas can then proceeds to take you back to your vehicle, and then follows you in to town and makes sure you have enough cash to fill up. All without wanting anything in return.

The nursery worker at church who takes care of your kids during service like they were their own. The co-worker who takes up your slack when you're feeling sick. The neighbor who cuts your grass when your lawnmower is broken. The teacher who makes sure your children are getting a good education in a safe environment.

People doing things because love is in them and it is their nature. We are blessed so that we can in turn be a blessing to others. I'm always amazed by the simple acts of kindness that randomly happen. Every day is a good day when you can make someone elses life a little better; changing the world in innumerable ways a little bit at a time.

That's why I lift my hands in praise and give thanks.

Thank you!

Congratulations to everybody. The posts were very moving and touching.

Can we know which post was chosen ? Some users posted a lot of them... It would be nice to know which one really touched the jury.

thanks alot squishy and the judges:) Ihope my posts  brought something to the readers, be it more awareness or more gratefulness or whatever.

peace

congrats to all the winner and thank you for the one who give tip on me

Yes, I've been tipped as well and am very grateful. Thank you kindly. It really made my day to be rewarded so richly. Cheers to such a great community.