Gratitude

I am grateful to my parents, for everything they have done for me throughout my life; for all the cold long dark days they had to endure at the takeaway; for dealing head on fearlessly, or sometimes fearfully, with the uncertainties that moving to a new country brought; for painstakingly learning pretty much all my primary school curriculum with me while running the shop (except that time when my Dragon Ball Z comic book got ripped up). Forever indebted, no words can describe it.

I am grateful to my sisters and family, for all the support they've given me, especially behind the scenes; for the fun we had when we were much younger (and for using me unsparingly to run errands for them); for their trust; for their wise advice when most needed; for the amazing meals you've cooked for me; for being there no matter what. Thank you.

I am grateful to all my friends - past and present; the critical ones (you know who you are) for keeping me on my toes; the wise and reflective ones for asking me the important questions and making me think; the fun ones for bringing more colour into my life; the similar ones for making me see my flaws; the ones with completely different personalities for making me less monotonous and a bit more interesting. Even those who have walked in and out of my life have contributed to making me who I am today. Thank you for being there when I most needed you, thank you for being there even when I didn't need you, thank you for your inspirations, and thank you for not judging.

I am grateful to my Kempo teachers and training partners - you are all both my teachers and my friends. You have kept me from getting fat (hard to believe eh?), taught me a lot about the martial way and Zen philosophy, and played a big part in my twenties. Without Kempo and without you, I would probably be a completely different person today.

I am grateful to all the people I have worked with - colleagues, clients and friends; for all the opportunities you've given me to learn and develop; for all the fun we had together that made work more bearable; for all the free teas and coffees and biscuits and beers and champagnes; for the trust you placed in me even if sometimes I didn't know what I was doing!

I am grateful to the people I have met on my travels, fellow travellers and locals alike; for enriching all these unique experiences; for giving me directions when I'm lost; for going the extra mile to help me fix my bag zip or looking after my phone when I left it behind and so much more; for your recommendations and travel tips; for putting up with my snoring.

I am grateful for being alive! Can you imagine being otherwise? It'd be pretty boring I think.

I am grateful for the air, every breath so refreshing and revitalising.

I am grateful for my eyes, for allowing me to see so many beautiful things. And I am grateful for all the beauties in this world - the sunsets, the sunrises, the blue skies, the turquoise and deep blue waters, the snowcapped mountains, the lush green forests, the magnificent rainbows, the brilliant starry skies, the light and the darkness.

I am grateful to my food - you taste great (most of the time) and you keep me going. And I am grateful for my taste buds and my stomach, for all the wonderful sensations I experience everyday!

I am grateful for my body, for allowing me to travel and do all the things that I want.

I am grateful for my mind, for letting me think and wonder and imagine and ponder and appreciate.

I am grateful for the world - mother nature - the mountains, the seas, the lakes, the trees, the wildlife, the cities, the people - for giving me opportunities time and time again to let me experience and learn about you.

Thank you all.