As the cool fall air breezes through our daily lives, yet again, we are reminded that with the change in seasons comes a change in pace of our daily routine.

As the days get shorter and the sunlight seems to hit our skin ever so lightly, we begin to think about how we will begin our time in the new calendar year. We tend to think about how to make life better for ourselves, our families, and our nearest and dearest. However, one thing that we often forget is just how precious the time that we all share here truly is.

As I am sure that many of you are aware by now that Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder and a true visionary genius, died late in the evening of Oct. 5. Now without losing focus of this viewpoint, I would only like to speak for a moment about Mr. Jobs. 

Steve’s passion for life, his sanguine personality, and his unbending will to never settle, all led him to his success. However, even without all of his riches and success, Jobs was a very fortunate man. He was fortunate because he knew the true secrets about life. Even upon his death bed, Jobs remained optimistic for his family, hopeful for their future, and comforted by his present gratitude for having lived his life the way that he chose to live it.

That is truly what my viewpoint for this month is about. Be thankful that you are here. Be thankful that you have been blessed to live in such a wonderful place. Be thankful for your families. Be thankful to be loved, needed and desired. Be thankful that you are beautiful, healthy and unique in your own way.

If you would, just step back for a moment and reflect on how much worse it could possibly be for you or your loved ones right now. Think about all of the things that you have never done in your life that you always dreamed of doing, and make a change to see those things through.

I may only be 25 years old, but I sure am thankful that I have made it this far. I have met a lot of really interesting people, made a lot of really caring friends and helped others out of pure love as much as I could. I think that regardless of how bad things in the world may seem for a day, a month, a year or longer, nothing compares to knowing that you are blessed to simply be a part of it.

I urge you to live your own life the way you want to live it. Smile because you aren’t guaranteed another tomorrow. Laugh because it’s always worth it. And love because you’ll always need it. Now breathe in that fresh fall air and live your life the way you want to, but just be thankful for it. 

Steven Ellis
Gainesville