The greatest wisdom is bred as a function of pain. Given the painful strain of 2008, it's apropos that we together share the wisdom of gratitude.

It should never take something bad to make you realize you've got it good. I learned that lesson the hard way and while staring into the abyss is never easy, it shifts perspective and shapes experience.

Everything happens for a reason— even if we don't understand "why"—and time is the arbiter of fate, financial or otherwise.

• I'm thankful that Ruby still guides me.
  
  
• I'm thankful that my grandmother still shares an occasional margarita with her favorite grandson at the age of 88.
  
  
• I'm thankful that my mother is the mother that she is.
  
  
• I'm thankful for my failures, for they shaped who I am today.
  
  
• I'm thankful that my brother Adam and that his family is healthy.
  
  
• I'm thankful that my dad is still chugging along.
  
  
• I'm thankful for the perspective that 9/11 provided.
  
  
• I'm thankful for the tireless work of everyone at MVHQ, as the definition of professional nirvana is to do what you love with people you respect while serving the greater good.
  
  
• I'm thankful for Kevin Wassong, my very best friend since the first day of my freshman year at Syracuse and, save Ruby, the best man I've ever met.
  
  
• I'm thankful for Charlie Mangano, Tom Eggers, Len Spivak and the insanely talented human capital on the Minyanville Advisory Board.
  
  
• I'm thankful that my grandfather's good name is honored through our work at The Ruby Peck Foundation for Children's Education.
  
  
• I'm thankful for all ye faithful who are joining us at next week's sold out Festivus to celebrate life and help the healers, leaders, teachers and dreamers of tomorrow.
  
  
• I'm thankful that our editorial team cares about the integrity and credibility of the Minyan voice as much as I do.
  
  
• I'm thankful that Laurie Peterson is General Manager of Minyanville Family Media and Minyanland has helped 300,000 children understand the basic building blocks of earning, spending, saving and giving.

• I'm thankful that the Minyanville Professors further our mission of financial literacy with forthright acumen and steadfast class.
  
  
• I'm thankful that our global network of Minyans helped us become the second fastest growing financial website on the planet year-over-year. 
  
  
• I'm thankful for Matt Ford and his efforts to build UMV.