As I become a middle-aged man, I have started to understand the importance of gratitude. I see how grateful I need to be for where I am. Sometimes, I realize my fortune when I notice others struggling in their journeys. It shows me how fortunate I am to live as an independent autistic man who deals with so much.

It has taken a lot for me to get to where I am today. I used to believe that things were put in place for other reasons. But after seeing the struggles that many face in this world as often as I do, I am more grateful. I appreciate having the opportunity to do the things that I do. I count my blessings every day when my feet hit the floor. I am grateful. I can do things that others don’t have the opportunity to do. I can do them in my own way.

Sometimes things are harder for me in ways that are easier for others. There have been times when I wish things would come as easy for me as it does for them. But I realize that things are the way that they are for a reason. I only grow because I am pushed to grow more from what I have had to grow out of. It can seem uncomfortable sometimes. Yet, I know that I have to push myself more each time. In the end, it will be worth it.

This year has proved to me greatly how fortunate that I am. The world has become a scarier place which in turn has caused me to become braver. I have learned to never take anything for granted. Nothing is ever promised to be concrete. When something changes, we learn and grow with it to see if it works without automatically giving up. I have never been a quitter. Many books on autism show the determination of autistic people to achieve their goals.

I see how fortunate I am to have these things. I realize how important it is to do the things that keep me doing them. Life can be hard sometimes. It would be harder if I was not caring for myself. It would also be harder if my parents had not done what was needed decades ago to help me. They saw the potential. I am beginning to see the efforts they made. They put things in place to get me the help back then. I recognize the value of continuing those things. I understand how important they are in my life. I know that I need to be grateful for what I am.

Not every day is the same. There can be days when I do not see the best in me. But with the help of many I have overcome some of the hardest struggles. I realized how hard it was back then. All the work that had to be done showed me the importance of being grateful. It’s also important to continue putting in the hard work needed to keep things going. It took me a long time to see the results of everyone’s efforts. I am grateful for that.