I used to really look forward to Thanksgiving.
It was a day off work (or school, when I was younger). That right there is a huge benefit.
Plus, there’s the food, the time with people you care about, the football, the napping. All great stuff.
And I was thankful for all of this (especially the day off). Part of the holiday is, of course, to be thankful.
But what if we could be thankful and grateful every day? What if Thanksgiving could be every day?
Well, that’s kind of how I feel these days.
I walk around feeling so incredibly grateful and blessed every single day.
I can recount a few things that made me feel thankful today:
- Rolling around bed until 10:30 a.m, at which point I finally opened my eyes to see that I’m still alive and healthy in a beautiful place.
- Brainstorming on projects for next month with one of my favorite people to work with, looking for ways to help and inspire people.
- Enjoying a fantastic lunch for about $1.50.
- The beautiful weather in Chiang Mai today.
- The free Uber ride (that took me to lunch) that was available through a promotion the company is running right now.
- The workout (we didn’t skip leg day) I had with a very motivated Aussie I met recently.
- A funny conversation with the girl I’m dating.
- A Thanksgiving feast that was very different (and cheaper and smaller) than any I’ve ever had in the States.
- Running into a reader and his wife, both from Spain, who recognized me as I sat down to eat dinner next to them, which is just an example of the lovely serendipity of this place.
- Enjoying a free outdoor concert immediately after dinner.
- The proliferation of 24-hour coffee shops and coworking spaces in the city, which allows me to write this very article at almost 10:00 p.m.
- The walkability and energy of this city, which makes a walk back home late at night fairly pleasant.
There’s so much to be thankful for every single day.
But much of that which I’m thankful for is only possible because I’m financially independent. Otherwise, my life would be a lot different. And I probably wouldn’t be feeling so cheerful all the time.
However, financial independence has truly allowed me to build a life where every day is a holiday, or at least a holiday just like Thanksgiving – where I’m overwhelmed by gratitude.
The Thanksgiving I experienced today in Chiang Mai, Thailand was far different than any I’ve ever experienced in the States.
But in many ways it was far better, because I feel like this day is just one more day in a string of days that all mesh together as one long and thankful holiday. It’s not just one day to stop, take a breather, and be thankful. It’s instead part of a sustainable and highly enjoyable collection of many, many days that serve to provide one with an ongoing and constant perspective of blessedness.
That, I believe, is one of the best gifts of all. It’s the gift of financial independence. And it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
How about you? Having a happy Thanksgiving? Are you feeling particularly thankful today? Or are you thankful every day?
Thanks for reading.
Image courtesy of: markuso at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Are you planning to stay there forever? Do you have to leave at some point due to visa issues? I think you are living a dream a lot of single guys have. As for me I am married with a wonderful family and my fire dream is here in the states. Happy thanksgiving.
Nick,
I don’t plan on ever returning to the States. Will I stay in CM forever? That’s obviously hard to say. But I see no reason why I wouldn’t want to continue living here indefinitely. There is no need to return to the US for visa concerns.
That all said, the US is a great place to live for many people. And I certainly am not interested in encouraging a bunch of people to come here, as that would only serve to ruin the charm this place has. Instead, each individual person should find their own dream and live it as much as possible, which will likely allow them to experience perpetual gratefulness. I’m simply share my own personal experiences with that. 🙂
Cheers!
Happy Thanks Giving day Jason!
Every time when I read your Chiang Mai life, I get excited and inspired, push myself little hard to become financially independent.
A fantastic lunch for about $1.50… Man, here we have to pay minimum $15 get that type of Tai lunch here in Canada.
This is might be your first well deserved Thanksgiving day ( I guess).
FJ,
A lot to be thankful for! 🙂
Yeah, the food scene here is really incredible. It’s one of the best things about being here. I plan on writing an article highlighting that, using a nearby kitchen/market as a proxy for the broader experience of eating Thai food in the city. Having a big plate of delicious food cooked for you for around a dollar is something right out of a dream.
Continued luck and success on your own journey over there!
Best regards.
Thanks Jason ,
Are you consider writing a book about the Geographical Arbitrage or Dividend Expat life.
I am sure it will be an exceptional addition to your 1st book.
I enjoyed your book and honestly it was the reason which inspired me to start my journey towards Financial Independence back in 2015.
atm,
That’s a great question.
I definitely plan to write a second book at some point. The first book was originally conceptualized as the first in a trilogy. I wanted to write about financial independence from three perspectives: the before, the during, and the after. I wanted to capture the essence of the drive toward FI with the first book. I then plan to put together a second book that discusses what life is like once you’re there at a relatively young age. And then I want to address things retrospectively years down the road. It’s just a matter of writing it. I’m sure it will come together when the time is right.
Appreciate the support. And I’m so happy to hear that my writing provided you the initial impetus you needed to start down your own path. That kind of feedback motivates me to keep working. 🙂
Best regards!
Happy Thanksgiving Jason. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Today’s world is one of such abundance in many ways, it’s important to be thankful everyday. Tom
Tom,
Definitely. You become even more aware of the abundance in a place like America when you start to live outside of it. People seem happier over here with less, which is so refreshing. I’m grateful for that! 🙂
Cheers.
Happy Thanksgiving Jason.A frugal and very fun day
Blogs,
A frugal and very fun day = every day! 🙂
Cheers.