Things I’m Thankful For

by

Each year around thanksgiving I like to reflect on the year and think of all of the things I’m thankful for. From there I keep a mental note of the "but if only" thoughts I have and use them a base for the next year's goals.

## Family

My family is generally healthy. We’re exhausted chasing a toddler around all the time, but healthy. Before being a Dad, I couldn't imagine the amount of joy this little guy would bring into our lives.

Even though I'm halfway around the world in Japan, I still keep in pretty regular contact with my family. I'm not on Facebook proper, so most of it is actual text messages and phone calls.

I'm also thankful my older in about a month. It's been about 3 years since I last saw him.

## Health

I’m still young-ish and have my health and I’m thankful for that. But I know that my habits aren’t entirely healthy and that will eventually catch up with me as I get older.

## Work

I’m thankful to have a job that pays well enough, is forward thinking, and flexible. I have about as much freedom as when I was freelancing / contracting without any of the stress of doing sales and riding the feast or famine rollercoaster.

While I still really want to have a successful product and “do it all myself” one day, one of the main motivators for wanting that was to have flexibility in how I work. With those nerds met, putting out my own shingle lost some of its luster. Even Johnny Ive has (or had) a job.

## Sense of Place

This year is the first year in my life where I have a sense of place. I moved every couple years as a kid, so I learned to never get too attached to any one place.

This year I got my permanent residence in Japan, which has allowed us to buy a house in Yokohama - in a neighborhood where I feel relaxed when I go home at night. It's super quiet at night and still less than an hour to Shinjuku.

It’s the first time in my life I’m actually planning to be in the same physical location longer than 2 years. I'm thankful to be in the position to be able to buy a home and make a place that Leo can "come back to" when he's older.

2019 has been a good year for us and has given me a lot to be thankful for. I hope that 2020 is as nice to us as 2019 has been.