Thankful

 

-Sunset over the beach in Aruba last July on our Honeymoon

Days can get hectic, work becomes a priority, dishes need done, laundry needs folded, and the list continues... Sometimes we forget to stop for a moment and realize all that we have around us. Instead of thinking to the past and trying to figure out what we could have done better, I have realized that we need to move forward and focus on what we can do to make our futures better. It is okay to think back on the past (I have done so recently), and also focus on how to make the future better, but the challenge is to take a few moments each and every day to really put yourself in the present. What are you thankful for right now?

I am thankful for all those in my life who pull me up, when I am down. Who answer the phone regardless what time of day, or night it is. Those friends and family who can put a smile on my face just by showing up. I am thankful for the amazing time I can have with my friends, even when we are sitting around and not doing a thing. I thankful for each and every one of them. I have realized again, and again, what amazing, wonderful, loving, caring friends I have. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

I am thankful for the children in my life, not my children (as I do have any), but my niece and one of my best friend's daughters- they are are two amazing little girls. One is only nine months old, and the other will be four this coming August. It is impossible to have a bad day when either one of them are around. I thankful to have the opportunity to watch them both laugh, smile, and grow. I also love to spoil them both. I have found it impossible to pass up the baby section while in Target, and find myself constantly telling stories about my four year old niece. I am also thankful for my goddaughter who will turn eleven this year. She is full of positive energy and again you cannot help but smile as soon as she walks into a room. Her and I have special roles in the family, as she is the youngest grandchild and I am the oldest.

I am thankful to wake up each morning to the sound of a barking dog (who is convinced that he owns the street outside of our window), and I thankful to have some place to live and amazing person to live with. I am thankful that almost all of my family is within 20 minutes, and that I can walk down the street to my mother's house at any given moment. I thankful that the sun shines each day, and that I am lucky enough to be alive and able to see it.

I thankful for my past because without I would not be here today, I would not know the people I know, or have the amazing memories that I do. I am thankful for the present and the memories that are being made each and every day. I know that the future holds great things for myself and for all those around me.

I challenge everyone to take a moment or two today and think about what you are thankful for; even though things may not always go as planned - I bet your list of reasons to get out of bed each and every morning vastly outweighs anything negative that has come or may come your way.