I want to say thank you.

It is often easy to take the good moments in our life for granted. We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives, distractions everywhere, stress, depression, anxiety, the whole bit.

In fact, yesterday I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and am probably the worst culprit of looking at the glass as half empty during my down swings. (By the way, Downswing is a dope band. Check them out.)

But whenever I’m feeling this way and I finally find the motivation to dig myself out of the hole I’m in, I remember a conversation that I had with my mom. I’m paraphrasing here, but she told me to seek and actively show gratitude to the life I have.

I guess the old saying is true…momma’s always right.

Gratitude is a key, if not, THE key to happiness. Every self-help book and motivational YouTube video will tell you this too. Some folks even try to bottle it up and sell it like it’s some magical secret that no one knows.

I don’t think it’s a secret, but I do think it’s easily forgotten, especially in our consumerist, overexposed, “keeping up with the Jones’” society.

Instead of the Weekly Pull Request, I want to do something a little bit different today. I just turned 32 yesterday, and want to express gratitude for you, the reader. Thank you for taking the time out of your day-to-day to hang out with me for a couple of minutes and read this newsletter.

If you’re subscribed, thank you for going the extra mile to support this creative venture of mine. I hope that the content provides value to you in some way.

(If you’re not subscribed, you should get a pop up about now 😉 Come join the community, we’d love to have you!)

Don’t let the grass appear to be greener on the other side, because often times it’s only a coat of paint. There is always something to be grateful for. We’re above the dirt, and you’re reading this newsletter right now — that’s a miracle in itself.

So thank you for taking the time to be a part of Riffs. Code. Coffee. I am very grateful for your attention, your interaction, and your existence.

I’d like to hear what you’re grateful for! Reply to this email or leave a comment and let me know.

Gratefully Yours,

Paps.