Wandering with direction: Continuing Traditions

This year was the first year that I didn't spend Thanksgiving with my family. Flights were too expensive by the time checked and driving alone for 6 hours didn't seem too appealing for a single weekend. In addition....it seemed like Irvine was deserted by everyone who went home to their families.

Instead of pouting and being sad, I decided to take a more positive outlook on the situation. Why focus on what I DON'T have rather than realizing and appreciating what I DO have...cuz that's what Thanksgiving is all about right? I'm so blessed to have parents that have raised me so well and given me everything I needed without spoiling me. I'm blessed to have parents that support everything I do and respect every decision I make. I'm blessed to have found a job after college to allow me to support myself and stay in Irvine. I'm blessed to have found a job that I ENJOY and am excited to go to. This list could go on and on for days but I'll stop it here. I think that the world would benefit from thinking positively and being grateful everyday rather than just some select holidays...but we all know that's hard to do, but TRY! You'll be surprised how far a little positivity can go.

Every year (or most years at least) my family and I have made an effort to go to the local Veteran's Hall in Santa Cruz and help out with the massive homeless feeding that they put on. Since I didn't go home this year, that made it very difficult for me to participate. So I searched the internet for similar volunteer opportunities and found a warm and welcoming place called the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. I showed up there on Thanksgiving day at 1pm to find a small building with a line of people out the door. I was greeted by a woman from Hawaii (didn't catch her name) who addressed me by saying, "hello bruddah." She referred to me as her "bruddah" for at least an hour. It was really nice to be able to continue the tradition down here while I was away from my family. After I helped I grabbed a plate of the food and joined two random people (who seemed to be a homeless couple) at a table. They were very nice and interesting to talk to. It's amazing to me how much satisfaction can come putting out a little effort to help others.