Giving Thanks On Thanksgiving

pilgrimsAs I’ve mentioned in the past, we don’t do a big, traditional Thanksgiving dinner. A small Southern-style dinner full of fried chicken, coleslaw, and potato salad is where it’s at for us today. Then it’s freshly baked Dutch apple pie with some French vanilla ice cream on the side for desert. That’s some good stuff.

However, just because I don’t eat turkey or stuffing doesn’t mean I’m not interested in honoring the tradition of giving thanks for all that I have.

I wanted to take just a quick moment today to run down a few things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving.

Family

I’m incredibly lucky. I have a wonderfully supportive partner who totally cheers me on as I march down the path to financial independence. She’s been so sweet to me since the moment we met, and I’ll always be grateful to have her in my life. I’ve not always been the best partner, such as when I tried to strong-arm her into moving with me to Michigan in a fit of selfishness. But she’s risen above my own occasional indiscretion and I’m a better man for it.

In addition, she has a son that she’s a great mom to. He’s been somewhat limited by his Asperger syndrome, but he’s transcended his disabilities in a manner that has made both of us proud. And of course there’s Diego, our Chihuahua. I believe he’s under the assumption that he’s the King of The Castle, but he’s definitely my bud. He keeps me great company when I’m home all alone during the day, writing away.

I’ve permanently lost a good portion of my extended family due to a combination of extremely unfortunate events, some of which I’ve been open about. But I’m grateful for what I have. Not only do I have a fantastic family here in Florida, but I still have great people that I’m close to back in Michigan, like my oldest sister and my best friend. I treasure all of these relationships and I’m extremely thankful for them.

This Community

I was just discussing what an asset this community is. I consider myself lucky to have so many intelligent and like-minded investors out there stopping by the blog to offer support and/or discuss the success they’re having on their respective journeys to financial independence. You readers are a joy to converse with.

We all learn from each other. Through the support we offer each other we grow and all become more successful. And one’s success begets success for everyone else. I believe just like dividends are the “proof in the pudding” that shows investors a company is indeed profitable, the growing dividend income that some of us are generating is similarly the “proof in the pudding” that this strategy works.

One day I’ll be living off of my dividend income, and I think there will then be even more people coming by to discover what this is all about. It’s like there’s a whole new generation out there that will one day be believers, and I aim to keep writing and inspiring in the meanwhile.

Health

I’m alive. And I’m healthy. I think that says it all. I have more time than ever now that I’m pursuing writing on a full-time basis, but it would all be for not if I didn’t have health. I’ve long been a fitness enthusiast, but jogging and exercising is no guarantee that you’ll have good health. Especially considering that I’m like Warren Buffett in my appreciation for cheeseburgers and pop over fruit and vegetables. Perhaps I just have good genes. And I have less stress than ever, thanks to this new lifestyle. Life is good!

But health is it, folks. Without health, we really have nothing. I’m glad to be alive, living in the USA in 2014, healthy, and able to pursue my passions without persecution. Good health is priceless, worth far more than any material object one can possibly purchase. And I try to remember this every single day.

My Newfound Freedom

This post wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t give thanks for the opportunity I’ve been given to pursue my passion in writing. Being able to do the things I love as a “job” is just incredible. I spend hours every single day writing, reading, and responding to emails and comments. It’s a dream come true.

I consider myself so fortunate to be able do what I love every single day. I always knew that owning my own time was far more pertinent to my happiness and well-being than owning a nice car, big house, or a bunch of fancy stuff. And I now know that I was right about that. The journey to financial independence just gets better every single day.

Conclusion

I’ll be enjoying some fried chicken and football today. I hope all of you readers out there are enjoying family, food, and whatever else it is that makes you and yours happy. Never forget how much you already have in your pursuit of more.

Are you giving thanks this Thanksgiving? What for?

Thanks for reading.

Photo Credit: debspoons/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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66 Comments

  1. Mr.

    Jason

    Hola

    NADA ES MAS HONORABLE QUE UN CORAZON AGRADECIDO

    Felicidades en este dia en compania de Mrs. Claudia y Diego.

    Saludos,

    Juan

  2. Jason, all the best to you and your readers on your Thanksgiving. It doesn’t matter if you are enjoying turkey, fried chicken or in my case enchiladas today, what matters is we have food on our table to enjoy. Nor does it matter what form of football you enjoy, whether it be NFL, CFL or our friends across the pond, with their other version of football, the fact that we can enjoy it in a free country is what matters most. Finally, your column as well as others gives everyone a chance to agree, disagree, lead, follow, or just plain vent sometimes, but the important think to remember is we are all in this world together, and hopefully, everyone gets what they want from the discussions. Cheers.

  3. Mantra,

    Well spoken and well said. We thank YOU for helping us stay motivated in this pursuit of financial freedom. There are much things to be thankful for and the blessings we have all received – family, friends, time and the ability to control one’s destination and outcome – something we can never look past! Happy Thanksgiving Mantra, you’re the man.

    -Lanny

  4. I’m thankful for oil dropping a few more points and dipping below 70 per barrel. Looking forward to some investors overreacting and finding a good stock deal on Black Friday! 🙂

  5. Hi Jason

    No thanksgiving day over here in UK, but we can still give thanks for being born into an open and free society at the time when we are better off than our ancestors.

    I also am thankful to the medical advances that have allowed me to have a stent inserted in my heart as an outpatient to remove my angina as compared to 50 years ago when I would have had my life severely constrained at best (died young at worst).

    As one of our Prime Ministers once said “We have never had it so good”

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and all in the US
    FI UK

  6. Happy to hear all is going well. I wouldnt be surprised if u guys get a wee one within next couple years in your stable. One of my best friends has asspergers. He has a great heart but unfortunately is misunderstood by most. I can imgagine your special bond with him.

    As with most families there is always drama. I just wish everybody just drop the bullshit politics and come together on holidays.

    Up here in Canada I will give thanks by watching BNN instead of CNBC and watching Canadian oil stocks tank and decide on something to buy!

  7. Well said. I have to agree that health is it. Without health nothing matters at all. Thankful to be alive and well along with my family. Enjoy your day and weekend.

  8. Happy Thanksgiving Jason…to another year of health, wealth and continued prosperity in all aspects of your life! Thanks for all that you do for our awesome blogging community.

    Best wishes my friend, AFFJ

  9. Happy Thanksgiving! (Is that what you say?)

    Well said. Turkey aside there are many thinks to be thankful for. As I’ve recently gone through an operation I know only too well how important health is. I could be a millionaire, financially free, with 4 children and an amazing job, but without your health you have very little.

    “Trade your expectation to appreciation and the world changes instantly.” Tony Robbins

    Have a good one!
    Huw

  10. “Never forget how much you already have in your pursuit of more.”

    This is a wonderful sentence to finish on, and really summarises the perfect balance we should try to find in pushing ourselves to achieve our goals, but doing it from place of gratitude, thankful we have the opportunity as well as everything else in our lives.

    I also agree health is everything. Such an easy thing to lose sight of, especially when you have your ‘nose to the grindstone’. It’s often only when you become unwell you really appreciate it, or when you step back from life and reflect on what you have.

    Happy Thanksgiving DM!

    Cheers,

    Jason

  11. Juan,

    I had to have Claudia translate your comment for me. It’s definitely wonderful to have a thankful heart. 🙂

    Here’s hoping you have a great day over there!

    Best regards.

  12. Brian,

    Absolutely. All that matters is that we’re happy, healthy, and enjoying it all with those we love. The simple things in life are always the best. 🙂

    Thanks for dropping by!

    Cheers.

  13. Lanny,

    Appreciate the kind words. I’m honored to be in a position to motivate, inspire, and help others. I take that responsibility pretty seriously, so I’m doing all I can to make the most of it. But I also know I wouldn’t be here without the support of the community, so thank you. 🙂

    I hope you have a great Thanksgiving up in Ohio!

    Best wishes.

  14. Ravi,

    Apparently the OPEC meeting didn’t go down as expected. I guess we’ll see what kind of deals emerge tomorrow. There might be more problems for drillers.

    Take care!

  15. FI UK,

    We definitely shouldn’t need Thanksgiving Day to be thankful for what we have. I’m also thankful to be alive in a first world country in 2014. I wouldn’t be able to do anything I’m doing right now if I had been born 100 years ago. We’re all incredibly fortunate. 🙂

    Thanks for dropping by. Keep up the great work over there in the UK!

    Cheers.

  16. A-G,

    Well, there won’t be any kids, if that’s what you mean. I’ve had a vasectomy already, so that’s shut down permanently. 🙂

    Yeah, Asperger is tough. He’s very limited in his ability to communicate in social settings. And I’m perhaps not as equipped as much as I’d like to be to overcome those limitations for him, but his mom is great. Claudia is very understanding, loving, and patient with him.

    Looks like SU is way down today. Could be an opportunity there?

    Best wishes!

  17. DivHut,

    Agreed. Health is everything. Could have a billion dollars and it wouldn’t mean a thing without good health.

    I hope you enjoy your day as well! 🙂

    Take care.

  18. AFFJ,

    Thanks for stopping by! Appreciate the support.

    I’m looking forward to another year of prosperity. 2015 should be fantastic in so many ways. I think it’ll be a breakout year for many of us. 🙂

    I hope you have a great day with you and yours!

    Best regards.

  19. yeah SU is looking good as Canadas top player, I went after something very high yield. something that had a 10%+ drop with a 10%+ yield. Will make a post soon about it.

  20. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your time with your finance. We already celebrated Thanksgiving last month here in Canada. I’m very thankful for having this great community of like-minded people.

  21. Huw,

    Preach it, brother. Health is everything. Terribly sorry you had some health issues over there recently, but I suppose that affords you some incredible perspective. We always have to look at the bright side, right? 🙂

    I love that quote by Tony Robbins. I was just reading a piece about him in Fortune not long ago. He’s built some amazing relationships over the years. Incredibly smart guy.

    Thanks for the support. I hope all is well over on your side of the pond.

    Best wishes.

  22. And far as awkward social situations. My friend has a whole host of them. If we go out to the movies, He will bringan old refillable pop and popcorn tub to smuggle in for free refills, Also Mcdonalds cups for free pop and coffee, lol

  23. Jason,

    I agree with you on health. It’s tough to appreciate it until you all of the sudden no longer have it. I try not to take it for granted, but it’s definitely one of those things you have to remember to be thankful for. I’m lucky in that I’ve never really had any major health scares in my life. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for continued good fortune. 🙂

    May we both continue to prosper while being thankful of that prosperity along the way.

    Appreciate the continued support. I hope all is well over in Australia!

    Best regards.

  24. Tawcan,

    I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving up there!

    I’m with you on the community. It’s great to be a part of something so great and bigger than ourselves. We’re lucky to be able to contribute in a meaningful way. 🙂

    Cheers!

  25. I could have writtent his post myself! I am thankful for the same reasons.

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It used to be Halloween, but Thanksgiving has superceded it because it’s a much more profound and deep holiday. We are compelled to think about all the good things we have and realize that we are very darn lucky to live in a first world nation that gives us the opportunity to break your chains and pursue our dreams.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and Claudia!

  26. Not sure if we are looking at the same stock, but Crescent Point Energy (CPG) is looking pretty nice now with a dividend over 8%

  27. Spoonman,

    Glad we’re on the same page, bud! 🙂

    We’re indeed lucky to live in a country like the United States in a time like 2014. Freedom is all around us, even if some choose to ignore it and empower those that keep them in bondage by spending way above their means. However, those of us who want to break those chains are free to, as we’re showing. It’s good to be alive in this day and age here in the US.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and Spoongirl.

    Best regards.

  28. Henry,

    Glad the weather is nice over there. I’m solar powered, so it’s nice to have some sunshine going on. It’s 70 and sunny here. A bit cooler than normal, but I’ll gladly take it. 🙂

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Best wishes.

  29. Happy Thanksgiving. It’s good to hear that it is going very well. I’m thankful for my family, above all else, and for our good health and overall well being. And this is my first Thanksgiving as a dividend investor, so I’m thankful for starting this journey and meeting all my fellow bloggers!

  30. Hi Jason. I have been following your website since last summer. You really inspire me with your lifestyle, I track your steps and try to emulate your investment method. Lately I am complaining a lot about my job, I guess I have reasons to do so, but in the end this behavior consumes myself. I want to thank you for open my eyes with your post today…there are so many things to be thankful, one of them is to read your wisdom pills daily. Long life to dividendmantra. Cheers from Spain. Carlos Hijas

  31. I am absolutely thankful for my health as well! Ran a 5k at my local turkey trot this morning and I feel great. 🙂

    Happy Thanksgiving!

  32. Chihuahua’s named Diego always think they rule the universe! I know mine thought he did. Happy Thanksgiving, would love to see a pic of your little guy.

  33. Agent,

    Congrats on your first Thanksgiving as a dividend growth investor. Just one more thing to be thankful for! 🙂

    Glad to have you and many others in the community. It’s growing every day, which is really wonderful.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Cheers.

  34. Carlos,

    Thank you. I really appreciate your support.

    I know how you feel, believe me. It wasn’t fun to pull 10-hour days at the dealership for eight years straight. But I did it because I knew that better days were ahead. There was light at the end of the tunnel. And I know there’s light at the end of your tunnel as well. You’re getting there one day at a time. 🙂

    Stay in touch!

    Best wishes.

  35. Seraph,

    Congrats on the 5k! That’s fantastic. That’s something to be proud of. Plus, you pre-burn the calories. 🙂

    Thanks for dropping by.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Take care.

  36. great post jason. I think we all take health for granted to a certain degree; and it always remains a constant– without health, you have nothing. It certainly puts everything into perspective. Thanks again for the timely post. I’ve been keeping up with your blog for about a year now, and watching it grow in size. You have a loyal following, and I find it absolutely refreshing that like-minded individuals encourage each other and bounce ideas off each other on this blog.

    Happy Thanksgiving man.. Btw, KMI is up big! I can’t wait till 2015 and the increased dividends!!

  37. Hi DM

    It’s interesting to see how you (and all of us) have evolved so much from the last thanksgiving to this year thanksgiving. We learn and give back to the community, just like what you had been doing with the education on this blog. I am not from the US but I wonder how this thanksgiving evolve years back. It almost seems like a reflection period for everyone involved and it’s great to stop back, think and give thanks.

    Please keep us motivated with your writing and happy cheers to your family 🙂

  38. jm,

    Appreciate the support and readership over the last year. The blog has indeed grown along with the rest of the community over the last year so. It’s been so nice to see more and more people stopping by over time. Every writer likes to have an audience, but I feel wonderful knowing that I’m inspiring and motivating more than ever. I truly believe financial independence is possible for just about anyone who truly wants it, and it’s great to see so many fellow believers out there.

    I’m excited for KMI’s future as well. It’s like a coiled spring finally uncoiling. A lot of long-term potential there.

    Best wishes!

  39. B,

    Every year is an opportunity to learn, change, grow, and become better in so many ways. I’ve certainly learned a lot, and I try to learn something new every single day. I’m hopeful that we’ll all be even better versions of ourselves next year. 🙂

    Thanks for the support. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Best wishes.

  40. Hey DM,

    I am thankful for all the opportunities we have in this life that 150 years ago we never could have dreamed of having.
    I am healthy, as is my wife and 11 week old daughter…although she isn’t letting us sleep much right now!
    Thankful for dividend growth, just got a 12% raise, just in time for christmas!
    Thankful for buying opportunities. Just loaded up on more Suncor with the recent drop in crude, oil and gas is cheap.
    It’s like you’ve said for some of your purchases….I bought it when it was higher, so I will buy,ore when it is lower.

  41. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Energy stocks are getting battered after OPEC’s decision to do nothing. Royal Dutch Shell is now yielding well over 5%.

  42. Jason,
    I give thanks that I won the lottery. As in, born in the USA. How truly blessed we are to have been born in a country where freedom is a basic tenant. Nice to be able to pursue your dreams, eh?

    Family, friends, food, shelter, are all basics that we tend to take for granted. In many places, they are only wishes.

    Be blessed!
    KeithX

  43. Hi Jason,

    My Wife Tracy and I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving and you did not over-eat! Haha….

    All of us have many things to be thankful for, and we all need to count our blessings each day.

    See you in Omaha!

    Ray

  44. Just woke up and bought XOM, CVX, and BBL.I am done buying for current month. Lets see what December bring. I am hoping for 2 to 3% correction in December.

  45. Duane,

    A 12% dividend raise is definitely something to be thankful for. 🙂

    Of course, family, our freedom, and all of the opportunities that we have in front of us are all things that we should be incredibly thankful for. Life is good!

    Great job picking up SU on sale. It’s one I’ve been thinking about as well. Hard to spread out my limited capital right now, but it’s like Christmas came early.

    Thanks for dropping by.

    Cheers!

  46. NMW,

    Had a great Thanksgiving with the family. Couldn’t ask for more. 🙂

    You’re doing great over there. Incredible savings rate and you’re putting away capital at an expedient rate. Keep it up!!

    Best regards.

  47. KeithX,

    We take many of our basics for granted. I think that having a deep appreciation for what others can only wish for makes the journey to financial independence easy. It’s easy to live below your means when you realize that even then, you’re living far above the means of the majority of the world. It’s all relative.

    Life is good. We’re incredibly lucky. 🙂

    Best wishes!

  48. Ray,

    I hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving! It was a great day full of food and football over here. Life is incredibly wonderful. 🙂

    We are blessed!

    Thanks for dropping by.

    Cheers.

  49. AJ,

    A great day if you have some room and capital for energy stocks. Let’s hope the slide continues. 🙂

    Those are all high-quality names you bought there. Excellent long-term investments. They’ve all “been there and done that” in regards to cheaper oil. Volatility is nothing new in this sector.

    Best regards!

  50. “He will bringan old refillable pop and popcorn tub to smuggle in for free refills”

    WOW! That is brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that? I just usually smuggle in a pint of Jack for my Jack and coke.

  51. Happy Thanksgiving Jason!

    This is a great post reminding us all that we have lots to be thankful for! Family, friends, health and a job that pays me to make a difference!

    And oh my…what big drops we had here for CVX, XOM, NOV? Wish I could find more powder for those great buys! Spent it all on IBM last week. Are you gonna buy more on the recent downturn? I bet they go down even further me thinks…

    Chris

  52. Chris,

    Indeed. We’re incredibly lucky to be alive, healthy, and prosperous. Life is just amazing. 🙂

    The pullback across energy wasn’t surprising considering the recent OPEC meeting, but I’m certainly grateful for it as a long-term investor. I took this opportunity to add to my holdings in BBL, which I’ll be discussing soon.

    Have a great weekend!

    Cheers.

  53. DM,

    I met my girlfriend’s family on Thanksgiving. I’m thankful to have met them as well as having my own wonderful family. Life is good.

    WE

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