We all have our challenges – be it car troubles, break ups, career changes, health issues or family drama. For me, the goal is not letting those challenges eclipse the many wonderful things that each of us experience on a daily basis.
To that end, and with the Thanksgiving holiday just a few days away, here’s my list of the top 10 personal things that I’m grateful for in 2011:
- Saturday nights alone. Sure, being recently single and alone on Saturday nights can make me feel a it uncomfortable – but it’s an important step in rebuilding my independence. And there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.
- Magic shave. Goodbye razors: The hair removal product has changed my love life forever – and I bet it can change yours, too. I should be getting commission for that s**t.
- Meet-ups. This was my first year of doing blog buddy meet-ups in the various cities that I visited. While the blog buddies are all very different, I’ve never met a more kind or loving group of people.
- YouTube. Because of YouTube, I was able to participate in a number of great opportunities – like being featured in “Life in a Day” and being selected as an official YouTube Next Trainer.
- My grandmother. Earlier in the year, my grandmother passed away at age 90. I’m so thankful that I was able to share so many years with such a warm spirit so full of laughter and love.
- Naps. For me, 2011 has been a year of rediscovering naps. They are amazing.
- Being Davey Wavey, full time. January 1, 2011 marked my first official day as my own boss; this is now my “real” job. I’m so grateful that I’m able to do something so creative and purposeful with my work.
- Traveling. 2011 was a busy year of traveling. I went to Park City, Utah; Palm Springs, California; Toronto; London, England; France; New York, New York; Toronto (again); and Hawaii, just to name a few. I’m so thankful to travel such a beautiful and friendly planet.
- Ryan Gosling. Before 2011, I didn’t even know he existed.
- YOU! Without you, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do and share my blog posts and videos with the world. Thank you for being a part of this amazing community.
So, that’s my list!
And come to think of it, those challenges that we face – big or small – can be really important and formative learning experiences as we grow and evolve as people. If those challenges seem too large or too daunting, maybe we can re-frame them as something a bit less scary. Just a thought.
What’s ONE thing that you’re grateful for from the last year? Please share it in the comments below.
November 22, 2011 at 11:11 am
Im grateful for my family! And for you!
November 22, 2011 at 11:13 am
But to make it off the list, we sure should compare the things we are ungrateful for, they exist to help us grow, and stronger in life.
Also, learn to love the things we hate for next year’s resolution. Life is meant to be explored anyway.
November 22, 2011 at 11:16 am
Learning to finally love myself and stop bowing to the whims of the world, and grateful that i had My close friends and Lady Gaga to give me that, the greatest gift so far in my life!
November 22, 2011 at 11:19 am
I’m grateful for a home that’s paid for and a wonderful partner of 13 yrs (I cheated that two)
November 22, 2011 at 11:29 am
I am grateful for the blessing that always seem to goes unnoticed and that we take for granted, like a beautiful summers morning and the fact that I am have been blessed to be alive and experience. And very importantly I am also EXTREMELY thankful that my boredom one day lead me to randomly search youtube one day which in-turn lead me to one of the most amazing and utterly inspiring people I have ever met. Davey Wavey I love you so much not because you have killer Pecs, amazing skin and perfect teeth
but because you are TRULLY beautiful inside, where it counts most, for me anyway. Keep up he good work. Would love you meet you one day.
November 22, 2011 at 11:39 am
I’m greatful for the people that encourage me to push on with something I started but never thought I would finish.
November 22, 2011 at 12:05 pm
You should get commission, I’m intrigued that it’s on your list so it must be good. I’ve just literally bought some!
November 24, 2011 at 12:12 am
What product are you talking about? I must have missed that post! Please, do tell!
December 3, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Is it good, I was considering getting some too! Let me know how it works, you know if Davey Wavey mentions it, it must be good. I mean look at how smooth he is.
November 22, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Your blog is one of many 2011 discoveries for which I am grateful, added to a lifetime of acquired love for which I am eternally grateful. We all need to learn to count our blessings daily, not just on the occasion of an annual holiday. As for your first point, I feel the same way. Left alone with my thoughts, I am always in good company (while some people can be lonely in the midst of a crowded bar).
November 22, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I am grateful for this 60 year old, queer, healthy self. I love my Higher Power for bestowing me with this life and for my own unique way of being in it. I love meeting all the young folks who are living in a world that is becoming more open and safer for glbtqii people. I love that I was part of the beginnings and have lived long enough to celebrate new freedoms. I love the activists I have met along the journey. I love Davey Wavey (most of the time) for his insights and love. Peace Out.
November 22, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Grateful for LOVE!
November 22, 2011 at 1:02 pm
The biggest change in my life this past year for which I am thankful is Davey Wavey’s BTI website. Davey’s topics and the ensuing blogs re-kindle memories of past experience in my life as a gay man. I had forgotten just how rich and rewarding those experiences had been. They have also expanded the range of people with whom I converse. I enjoy hearing about others’ experience and their thoughts, especially those younger than myself (all of you). Thanks Davey and blog buddies for enriching my life. Was it E.M Forester who said, “Just connect?” I think he had something there.
November 23, 2011 at 3:35 am
@Joel J:
Hi Joel!! I’m grateful for BTI also,for the fact that we’ve connected thru BTI via e-mail,and very,very,very grateful that the host of fake bill(Guillermo3)s seem to have disappeared back into their holes.
November 22, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Gratefull for passing my drivers test and getting a car.
But also for a stable internet connection, as it keeps me in touch with some great people I otherwise would not have the honor of knowing….
November 22, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I’m thankful for the power to change, my body, my relationships, and the one with myself. For whatever reason, this was the year I was ready. I’m also grateful for positive people that love you through the changes. Thank you Davey.
November 22, 2011 at 2:58 pm
We give thanks for places of simplicity and peace. Let us find such a place within ourselves. We give thanks for places of refuge and beauty. Let us find such a place within ourselves. We give thanks for places of joy, inspiration and renewal, places where all may find acceptance and belonging. Let us search for those places; in the world, in ourselves and in others. (Michael Leunig)
November 22, 2011 at 4:12 pm
I am grateful that I’m healthy.
November 22, 2011 at 5:38 pm
What is the “magic shave” hair removal product you mentioned?
November 22, 2011 at 6:36 pm
I am thankful for the internet, finding your webb site, and your videos on Utube. All of this did not exist 30 years ago when I was you age. It is soooo much easier being gay these days. My advice to those who read this is to don’t sweet the small stuff, be true to yourself, plan for your future, and be thankful for what you are and can be.
November 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I didn’t know where to post so I’m just going to post here. Seriously, screw you, I’m a bisexual girl and it really hurts me when you say stuff like : men and women are not supposed to belong together. SERIOUSLY ? Are you really going to use a shitty argument like that ? The same argument that is being used against homosexuals. And for the record, maybe women read erotic stories because a story and characters are more malleable. Reading stories is the only way for us to escape the only hyper manly straight kind of porn that exists right now. You can’t just see a difference and state that people minds are different because of that. You have to question the reason why this difference exists. (You should check out the queer mouvement, the sex posivitism mouvement, the latest gender studies and the feminist mouvement in general.)
November 22, 2011 at 7:49 pm
No, not seriously. Wavey is in a phase, single once again and competing with women for the attention of sexy men. A sense of humour goes a long way in smoothing out the ruffles in life.
November 22, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Obviously she is having a bad day. Let’s all be thankful that we can speak freely and get things off our chest without oppression. Davey is a lovely person and, thru him, I have found a new side of me that I had suppressed, by watching his videos. I’m turning my life around and loving life again with the help of Davy and my friends.
November 23, 2011 at 3:29 am
@Anonymous:
Won’t try to respond to your gripes with D.W.,Anonymous,but I am curious about your spelling,i.e.:mouvement.Are you French?
November 23, 2011 at 10:43 am
Annonymous,
I feel you may be taking very literally a message that was delivered in jest. You may want to take a look at the second definition of satire for clarity:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satire
November 22, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Just thought of another thing:
Thanks to the gays in my life, thanks to the blog buddies and last, but not least, thanks to Davey. For each and every one of you who (even when I don’t agree with you, and I’m stubborn, so agreeing is not my strongest suit) continuously inspire me, and remind me that there’s room for growth. That there’s room for humanity. That there’s room for love.
Sometimes you just need a pick up on all of them, right?
So thanks for inspiration and change, but only for the better!
November 22, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Davey, you are an incredible person and I’m so happy that I found you on YouTube and started watching your videos. I am a straight girl but my best friend is gay and I love him. He reminds me of you in a way. But I’m thankful for the advice you give, the video about changing what you do everyday has helped me so much! So thank you
November 22, 2011 at 11:09 pm
I am thankful for the ignorant people in my life. Because without them I wouldn’t be the strong person I am today.
November 23, 2011 at 4:08 am
New hair removal device? Tell us more…sounds great!
November 23, 2011 at 4:13 am
I’m still trying to figure out how the magic shave improves one’s romantic life. Is that some kinky toy?
November 23, 2011 at 10:44 am
It’s a depillatory creme, something like Nair.
November 23, 2011 at 10:53 am
Oh, thanks. I thought it was the Braun shaver DW was referring to. Creams have many varied uses.
November 23, 2011 at 8:30 am
mostly-im thankful for DW-and how his advice has turned my life around-most of his top ten reasons-plus the OWS-Occupy Wall Street Movement as well.
November 23, 2011 at 11:58 am
(Yes, I’m french, sorry) Anyway, it’s too easy to say that he was only joking when every time someone makes a joke about gays they get really pissed off. Double standards suck and I was disappointed with Davey, I didn’t think he would say stuff like that, joking or not.
November 23, 2011 at 12:23 pm
“…when every time someone makes a joke about gays they get really pissed off.”
Not all gays act the same way. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with it, actually. It’s a matter of s sense of humor and whether or not the person has it or not.
For example, someone who is straight may get pissed off about a gay joke because they find it offensive just as a white person may get pissed off about a black joke. In both of those cases, the gay person and/or the black person might have laughed. The determining factor is the person’s sense of humor.
November 23, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Davey often says provocative things to stimulate conversation on the blog and he succeeds.
Au revoir, amie.
November 24, 2011 at 12:46 am
@anonymous:
Nothing to be sorry about Mme.anonymous,though,strangely enough,in English we are taught to spell it French.
As for Davey’s post,I would agree that it wasn’t one of his better ones_quite forgettable,actually_but he was trying to make a joke [perhaps a bit too "cute"] satirizing the traditional opinion that homosexual activity/love are un-natural:Not what God intended.
November 23, 2011 at 12:23 pm
I am thankful for the inspirational messages and hilarious anecdotes. Davey walks in the light, because he is a pure soul. I adore him.
November 23, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Im thankful for the life I have…. Ive been trough a lot and come through, I’m not rich or have the best job… I don’t always have it easy but the possibilities to change are everywhere around… everything is mine, all decisions and mistakes, I own them and I love it!!!
November 23, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to all (USA).
May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy have never a lump,
May your yams be delicious,
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your Thighs!
But most importantly, be thankful for what you have and reach out to those less fortunate and in need. Peace Out.
November 23, 2011 at 11:43 pm
I too just bought some Magic Shave. I barely know you as a gay internet phenomenon and you’ve got some serious selling power. :/
November 24, 2011 at 8:15 pm
I’m greatful that I got a flu so bad I then got several other severe infections. Why. Cause I had 5 days in bed, got really bored by the 5th day so I did something I never do: I surfed YouTube; and found you Davey Wavey! My life has completely changed and your videos played a major role. So Thanks Davey Wavey and thank god I got sick, it was just what the doctor ordered!
November 26, 2011 at 6:21 am
NIce list…however I should point out that magic shave and all similar products are extremely TOXIC, and will ruin your skin (and health) over time! Ive used depilitories in the past…..in fact after the first time I used one…..6 months later I did a juice fast…and could actually smell it coming OUT of my skin….THAT long after! Its nuts! I wont go near the stuff anymore!
November 26, 2011 at 3:37 pm
which magic shave do u use?