Gratitude, Holidays

10 Things I am Grateful for in 2017

With everything that is going on in the outside world, this is the perfect time to look inward and focus on what matters most. In 2016, I called the year “Year of Me”, I got married, received my CPA License, started a new job, got to travelled to a new country and got rid of a lot of baggage. It was a lot easier to block out the outside noise and focus on what was happening just in my small circle. And although 2017 hasn’t been as eventful, I have learned to be grateful for every day I have.

The Gratitude List

At the beginning of the year, I started to take mindfulness classes because I wanted to focus on the present and being in the moment. However, after 30 mins I felt like I was more fidgety than when I entered the class. So I decided maybe mindfulness wasn’t for me. But I did take away one thing the instructor said.

She told us that at the end of every day she would email her husband 10 things she was grateful for. So and the end of each day I started to write my top 3 things I was grateful for. I started to go back and read what I had written on earlier dates just to see if there was a difference in what I was grateful for.

So with Thanksgiving being on Thursday, I decided to make a list of the top 10 things I am grateful for:

Health – Currently I am training for a half marathon and pushing my body to do more than it is used to. Some days are harder than others but I am doing it and getting stronger and faster in the process.

Family – I have a husband who supports me through all of my crazy ideas and antics, but he also keeps me grounded. We may not see eye to eye on every topic, but I know that when I need him, he will be there. No matter what it is. This rings true for my parents and siblings too.

Friends – We are all different and at different points in our lives. Which means we all have a different perspective and I love it. When I look at my group of friends, I think about the quality of our friendship.

Grammarly – I love that I am able to express my thoughts and feelings freely. But sometimes I don’t know when or where to put a comma, colon or semicolon (I am pretty sure something is missing from this post). So I am thankful for whoever created Grammarly because I would be lost without it.

My Job – Last year this time I had put in my resignation at a job where I didn’t feel appreciated and hated to go to. I resented most of my co-workers and despised my boss. Fast forward to today, I am working for a great company with amazing co-workers. Gotta love the Finance Team!

Television/Movies – I am a self-proclaimed couch potato.  After a day of work/blogging/marathon training, I love that I am able to turn part of my brain off and enjoy the debauchery that is the Real Housewives and Love and Hip Hop.

Disappointment – This has taught me that everything will not go as planned and even though I really wanted something, sometimes it’s just not meant to be. I’ve learned that some days you just have to forgive and move on.

Internet – You can pretty much look up anything you’re curious about in a matter of seconds and connect with others from around the world. Building online communities that support each other and keep each other accountable.

Little things – Like coming home to folded laundry. Or spending Saturday morning running errands with my Mom and niece. Being able to do a random act of kindness. Even seeing a rainbow after the rain stops.

Waking up to see another day with all my senses – Because I know someone else didn’t get to.