Thankful

Each year as Thanksgiving approaches, the notion of being thankful is at the forefront of many people’s minds — along with Black Friday, Christmas lists, holiday parties, shopping, and lots & lots of food, of course. There’s a cheerfulness in the air that you’re hard pressed to find during the other ten months of the year and it seems to rub off more easily than normal.

In my world, Thanksgiving marks the start of ‘the holidays’ and the beginning of this joyful season. Once I’ve successfully located all the radio stations that play Christmas music 24/7, I like to take some time to reflect upon the year that is quickly drawing to a close, and think about all that I have to be thankful for.

I came across an interesting quote recently, and it really got me thinking about all the amazing people in my life and what a profound impact they have on me. The positive energy and attitudes of those I am surrounded by motivates me in such a way I never knew was possible. I’ve noticed a shift in the type of energy I’m drawn to lately and have been using it as a force to push forward and make positive changes in my own life.

So this year, I am taking some time to focus on how thankful I am for all the wonderful people in my life…

I’m thankful for my mom, without whom I would not have become the woman I am today; I don’t know what I would do without her continued guidance and support. I’m incredibly thankful for her advice, her laughter and her compassion — and especially her patience [because Lord knows she needs it with me].

I’m thankful for my dad, for always being on my side [especially when he’s battling the crazy and illogical]. He’s taught me some of life’s most important lessons, like my favorite, “if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” It really says it all, don’t you think?

I’m thankful for my brother, for being my partner-in-crime and confidant for almost twenty-four years. There’s no one else with whom I’d rather build forts and lego cities, make [and hide] messes, or devise evil plans — even if they typically landed us in loads of trouble.

I am thankful for my boyfriend, for his unwavering love and support in absolutely every facet of life. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined finding someone with whom I connect on so many levels; he is my other half, the love of my life. I am thankful for his thoughtfulness and advice, as well as the passion with which he approaches everything he does. It is in part because of the example he provides in his own life that I strive to be a better person each day.

I am thankful for my family — both those related by blood and those I’ve simply chosen to call family. The level of encouragement and support I consistently receive absolutely blows my mind; I could not be more thankful to have each and every one of them in my life.

I am thankful for my friends, near and far, recent and past. No matter the distance or where life has taken us, I know I can turn to any of them for advice, laughter or even a shoulder to cry on. The friends I’ve made over the past twenty-seven years have taught me more than I could have imagined about life, about the importance of friendship, and about myself, something I would not give up for the world.

Take some time today to think about everyone and everything that you have to be thankful for… and then do it again tomorrow, and the next day. I bet you’ll be surprised at how easy it is — and how wonderful it feels to find joy in the little things.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!