As we celebrate the 235th anniversary of our country’s existence, I wonder how many really take the time to do it appropriately. Yes of course we will be barbecuing with friends and family, drinking and playing games, but is that all the Fourth of July has become?

As Americans, we should take the time to thank our founding fathers for the sacrifices they made to create a nation that will become the greatest nation on earth. Granted I am being bias in my last comment, but if you look at the fact of how this county didn’t exist 240 years and rose to be the leader of the free world in about one hundred years, then you would understand my feelings. Too many people these days take it for granted that we have the freedoms to do what we want like have a BBQ on July 4th every year, if we want and if we don’t want to do that, then we don’t, It’s our choice. The freedom to choose is what our founding fathers gave us. That and as Benjamin Franklin once said, “A republic, if you’re able to keep it.”

So let’s take the time out from our busy parties, BBQs and lounging around on our national holiday to appreciate what we have in this country. Something that most other country’s don’t have. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As we go through life we tend to get more involved in the day to day stress which consumes us from the easy going person we were, to someone a little more edgy. Why is it that we, as humans, go through this process? Unlike other animals who deal with just the instinctive mode of life without stress and anxiety.

In my short but stressful life, I realize it’s all comes back to one thing, the lack of gratitude. I see many people every day complain, moan and groan about things going wrong in their life, how their life has not gone the way the wanted it to go or being so glum about their future. I rarely ever hear people say anything positive in the way of their life. Ask someone how they’re doing and their answer is typically… “good”. Nothing more than that unless they make statements like…”Can’t complain, then again who would listen anyway.” or “Hey I’m above ground.”

I find that most people don’t take the time to think of how grateful they should be for the life they already have, the childhood they’ve experienced or just being thankful for anything in their life. Life is too precious not to appreciate it. We take for granted the good things we have in our lives. Taking time to be thankful helps you to have a positive light on everything else that may come your way.

Recently I started to spend more and more time being grateful for the things that I have in my life. Each day I wake up feeling thankful for waking up, for greeting my wife in the morning, having time to be with my homeschool daughters and so much more. Since then I’ve realize that I’ve been a happier person and motivated to do more in my life. The feeling of gratefulness goes a long way and we should all be doing it. Spend ten minutes each morning, while you’re getting ready to go through your day, being thankful for at least three things in your life. Do the same thing at the end of your day too while you’re going to bed. You will see in a short period of time that you are a happier person and a lot less stressed.

Happy New Year to everyone. It’s now 2009 and I’m looking forward to great and profitable year. Joanne and I are working on over 20 new sites to be added this month with many more to follow.

As you can see by the links that are in the sidebar, we have many sites that we’re operating and maintaining. We have come a long way since July when we started this journey with only four sites. Two of them are blogs while the other two are, what we refer as sniper sites. Sniper sites are geared towards targeting a keyword or phase and then adding Google Adsense to generate revenue.

This year we’re going to expand our parameters by going into marketing as well as affiliate type sites. This we give a multiple stream of income. The outlook on these look very promising going into the new year.

I would like to say to everyone that even though we don’t get to talk to each other often, I think of you daily. My fiends have been a great support for me over the last year and I look forward to your continuing support during 2009.

Thank you everyone, I love you.

I want to take this time to say Merry Christmas to all of my friends and family that come by and look to see how my life is going.

This has been a great year and to spend another year with my kids is going to be great. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy holiday.

Friends are a very rare jewel indeed, they make you smile; encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

Over the years I’ve met thousands of people, work with hundreds, but I can count on one hand how many friends I have.