What are you thankful for?

My family. Plain and simple. On a side note, this seems like it’s going to be a wholesome thread, please don’t make it political.

God.

I'm not very religious and I rarely go to Church, but I am a believer.

This weekend was beautiful where I'm at (weather wise). Last week it was snowing and today I was wearing shorts. Went for a nice long run, smoked a fat one, and just walked around for hours enjoying the weather and the view. Took some amazing pics too.

Then I realized the world is a beautiful place with so much to enjoy - food, women, nature, other people, and the fact that the entire human civilization built something amazing during the last couple millenia. All of that because God willed it.

Now I'm gonna go listen to some classic rock.

To make it wholesome, my entire family is thankful that Trump will not get another four years, 

Family and friends have stayed healthy and well so far this year. Everything else is just gravy man. If there’s not anything else this year can teach us.

Hoping to close out 2020 that way and get through early Q1 with no casualties. Most of my family just attended a large thanksgiving event though so we will see.

Thankful for my parents. They took care of me and raised me right, now I help to take care of them.

Did 3 centuries so far on the indoor cycling trainer this week and my Mom was cheering the whole way for each of them. My #1 fan.

<3Mom

To have a job after graduation, great friends, and a healthy family

Great thread, hope we can keep it on topic and wholesome. It's a very healthy exercise to reflect on this type of stuff semi-regularly.

I've got a lot to be thankful for. I'm sure my list will be quite similar to everybody else's but here goes, in order of importance:

Family. Would be absolutely nowhere without them. Haven't seen them in several months so looking forward to holiday season. Parents and grandparents started saving for my education when I was born, so I graduated without debt. They don't know it (and probably wouldn't accept it), but I've been tracking it and compounding it and will return it as a gift when they approach retirement.

Girlfriend. She's the kindest, most patient, and most supportive person I know. Not sure what my mental state would be like today without her support over the last several years and I'd honestly rather not think about it. I would definitely have burned out and left industry. I'd probably also be a fat chain-smoker.

Friends. Very fortunate to have a core group of guys I've known for absolute ages. Not a single dud among them, which I feel is very rare. I grew up with these guys and they keep me honest. It's great to know that no matter where we all are in the world, how many zeros are in the respective bank accounts, or how long it's been since we last saw each other, that nothing will ever change. 

Career/work. Fuck yeah it's a grind and fuck yeah it sucks sometimes, but goddamn am I ever lucky to be here. I make far more money than I know what to do with and (sometimes) do meaningful work. I am regularly challenged to learn and grow in my role, which is my #1 priority in a job. I'm on an enviable career track. If I left finance today to become a trophy husband, my nest egg should compound to the point I'd still be able to retire at a reasonable age. I don't ever have to worry about financial matters, which is an absolute fucking blessing in today's world.

Health. I'm healthy (ish). This is probably my weak spot since gyms closed, but it could be way, way worse. I'm a bit pudgier than I'd like to be and can't run a mile at any reasonable pace compared to my 'golden years', but I'm not sick, no chronic issues, no pain. 

Family. Parents are both doing well, no COVID. Have been able to spend past 8 months with them, which while it feels strange doing so in your mid-20s this is probably the only time in our lives where it makes sense to stay at home. Esp. post-college, time you spend with your parents is so limited as you're off living your own life usually in a different city. Dad still has his well-paying job and reviews came in great so not fretting about that.

Career. This year I've finally gained a full handle on my role & have started to push going above & beyond. Got a great review this year and think I have a good shot of getting promoted next year which will put me closer to getting my dream job.

Friends. Spending time here at home I've got 2 of my best friends & a couple others from childhood / college so awesome seeing them every weekend like in the old days. Keeping in touch with good friends in other cities as well via FaceTime and honestly it's nice to see gaming online become normalized. Only 1 friend has lost his job and hopefully will get another one soon.

Time. Not having to commute has been great in giving all that extra time. I've gotten a ton of reading done, watched a bunch of TV shows I've wanted to, played a bunch of video games, spend time with friends & fam, and have started to work out again. Rediscovered a passion for golf which I will fully explore as a hobby next year.

PA. My PA has absolutely crushed it this year, nuff said.

All said, it's been a surprisingly good year and I feel in my bones that 2021 will be even better.

Thankful for my family, because as shitty as my IB job can be at times (particularly in the WFH environment now) I know they (like many immigrants) had it 1000x worse coming to America with nothing to their names nor a grade school education and made this possible for me. TBH, I'm a huge pussy compared to my mom.  

Life. It is a precious gift with bunch of opportunities. Don’t sleep on it

This might sound dumb, but I'm thankful for being an American citizen. No I'm not talking about anything political - just from a pure life standpoint, I grew up in a different country and loved the idea of America. Being able to look at my passport and see my name and picture as an American is something I will always cherish.

Apart from my family i'll say a stable job. A lot of my friends have been laid off during these tough times and having the comfort blanket of a job is something that I'm really thankful for. Its the reason why I can buy shit and be able to gift my parents anything they desire and anything that can help make their old age a bit comfortable. Its the reason they do not have to worry about my sustenance. Its the reason why I can support them in what ever way possible in their philanthropic activities, put clothes on the back of people who cannot afford, support families who have lost their only means of support due to unemployment. 

I'm more and more thankful for the Associate who had a 45 minute chat with me on my last day in IB a few years back.  I was a bad fit for IB, but still feeling a bit sour about being pushed out the door, and he told me that IB isn't everything, and while a lot of bankers think they're the smartest in the room, the smartest ones are actually IB clients who invent products and build companies, then hire bankers to execute on their plans and become very wealthy.  After 5 years, with all the money the bank was throwing at him, he saw his own job as golden handcuffs.  Thanks to that conversation I eventually ended up at a startup where I'm much much happier than I ever could have been pushing structured products nobody really needed in their life.

There's so much to be thankful for. I thank God for being there when I needed Him most and answering my prayers. I know many people don't believe, but try praying some time or try talking to a friend about God. I'm thankful for my family and friends, I'd be nothing without them and some of them have no idea how much they've helped me. I'll never be able to repay my parents for what they've given me. Thankful for my mentors and mentees - being able to take from those who are wiser and give to those younger than me is a cycle of knowledge I will eternally be grateful for and always look to contribute to this beautiful cycle. Thankful for my health and being able to get over coronavirus unscathed. Thankful for the interviewers and firm that are willing to take a chance on me. There really is an endless amount of things to be grateful and thankful for. 

For how tight your mom still is... unbelievable

I am thankful for graduating this year, especially with a job that I didn't think I would land, I messed up in college so this was a real blessing. I didn't expect to be in the place where I am, but I'm thankful for the clarity gained from learning more about myself during these tough times. I am thankful for saddling down and getting deeper into sports like dirt biking and mountain biking, being able to financially support myself through these activities has been irredeemable. I'm also thankful for my parents and their health, they cherish their life and that trait of theirs has transferred to me. Moving back home has brought me closer with the members of my family and helped us develop deeper connections with each other, that's what I am the most thankful for. Hope you're all enjoying the rest of 2020.