Today starts the Holiday Season with Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I want to start off by wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season. During this time of the year we should all spend a little time to relfect inwardly. Many of us have new lifes that we could have never achieved without the help of our sleeves. Some of you I have been following for 18 months now and some of you I have recently made the aquaintence of. It doesnt matter where you are in this journey, we all have things in common.

We all want to be recognized for WHO we are and not for what we weight. I have crossed many obsticales to get to where I am today and I KNOW that there will be plenty more before my time on Earth is done. There is an old Indian saying that says "Dont judge a man till you walk a mile in his moccassins". I have said this many times on this site that we all have a Personal journey to greater health but we all have a common destination. IF there was only ONE way to do it then we would all have the same story. How boring would that be?

On this journey to being a healthier person I have also been striving to become a better person. I figured if I was going to start working on being physically healthier then I should also work on me Spiritually also. I want to become a better man, a better father and a better Husband. What good is it if I lose all my weight and become or stay bitter? There is nothing like hearing my loving wife tell me that she is proud of the man I am becoming. She seen the diamond in the rough and married me 6 years ago despite the stigma of "small Asian woman, FAT American Husband".

I challenge each and everyone of you to take a little time this Holiday season and do some self-reflection. We take so many things for granted. My wife is from the Philippines and they dont have Thanksgiving there. I had to explain to her how it come about with the Pilgrims and Indians many years ago. About giving thanks for a bountiful harvest. I also told her that, at least in my family, that it was a day for us to all reflect on what we have to be thankful for.

I am thankful for a new lease on life, through WLS, I am no longer just a life spectator. I am thankful for the support of fellow sleevers. I am thankful for my wonderful wife. I am thankful for all four of my loving children. I am thankful for the job that I have that enables me to provide for my family. Inspite of the economy in the past 6 years I have flourished. I am thankful for having good health. I am thankful for 101lbs that I have lost in the last 3 years, but that dont mean I want to stay here either.

These are just a few of the things that I am thankful for. I am sure that I could add many many more to this list without giving it much thought. I Pray that this Holiday Season that each and everyone of you find Peace and much Joy. God Bless each and everyone of you.

Seth