Thanksgiving is sort of the main “theme” of November, and I like taking a step back to hone in on some of the things I’m truly thankful for all year long. Last year I shared a post, Thirty Days of Thanks, that turned out to be more like a novel, but it really made me think about the things that were most important. Welp, here we go again kids, because it’s November and I’m re-writing my novel. Read it, don’t read it, agree with it, don’t agree with it. Either way, here is what I am truly thankful for.
โฅ My Thirty Days of Thanks โฅ
1. My Husband – He is my best friend, the love of my life and my rock. He works hard every day so I can stay home with our daughter and he is one of the most kindest and caring souls I know. He inspires me, he motivates me and he is the greatest man I’ve ever met. I’m thankful every day for him. Even when he leaves his socks, shoes and skivvies in the middle of the floor! ๐
2. My daughter – They say we our are children’s teachers, but my daughter is teaching me new things every day. Patience, kindness and how to be a better person to name a few. She is the little girl that made me a mom and who has taught me what unconditional love feels like. I’m blessed beyond words and thankful every second of every day for my little girl. Even when she wakes up screaming at 2am! #Yawn ๐
3. My house – We’ve been here for a year and a half and even with its little faults and imperfections, there is absolutely no place else I’d want to call home. It’s unique and beautiful, and provides shelter for me and my family.
4. My mother – Damn, I remember all those mother-daughter battles growing up. Ugh! I dread the mere thought of experiencing that with my own daughter one day. (Please no!) But becoming a mother has given me so much more respect and love for my mother. Moms are hard workers, and are pretty damn awesome. Be thankful for yours, you only have one.
5. My Father – I’ve watched my dad bust his ass for years supporting his four children. He’s not just a hard worker, but always has some of the best and wisest advice. He is someone I can always count on when I need a shoulder to cry on, a hug, or guidance.
6. Electricity – Sound weird? Go without it for a night in the middle of the summer with a baby. It sucks! I’m legit thankful for lights, working appliances and heat/AC. Hail to ages and errors of evolving technology! I will forever graciously bow down to the innovators!
7. The Perfect Body – There was a time when I aimed to look and feel like a sex Goddess. I wanted to have the “perfect” body – free of cellulite, fat and imperfections. Now I’m constantly wondering who the hell determined that a “perfect” body should look like a starving undernourished bag of bones??! That shit is A. Unhealthy and B. Unattractive. I’ve realized that I do in fact have the perfect body. It is strong, it is fit and healthy, it is capable and it grew my amazing daughter. I don’t give a shit about the dimples on my ass anymore people – this shit I’m sporting right here is PERFECT! It took me 33 years to figure out that perfect isn’t what you see on the cover of a magazine. That shit is called Photoshop! Own what you’ve got and be thankful for it! ๐
8. My health & Fitness – Relevant to the above, I’m thankful to be healthy and fit, and to truly know what living healthy means. Free of fad diets, diet pills, and supplements of any kind, and full of fresh veggies, fruits, real food and invigorating exercise. A healthy fit body does not come in a bottle saying it’ll burn fat and make you skinny. Don’t be fooled by the labels of unhealthy supplements – those do permanent damage to your vital organs over long time use.
9. Knowledge – My dad once told me that, “Knowledge is golden.” I’m thankful for the big and little things that I’m learning every day of every year. The older we get and the longer we run on life’s path, the wiser we become. Knowledge truly is golden.
10. My Voice – Not just my speaking voice, but my singing voice. I once had dreams of becoming a well-known singer, but that wasn’t my path and calling. None the less, singing provides me happiness and solace. And I love singing to my daughter now ๐
11. Music – Pertinent to the above, music saves my soul. I literally think I’d be lost without it. It’s as simple as that.
12. Seasons – I’m a native New Englander and I love all four seasons – yes, I even LOVE the snow! I’m wouldn’t want to raise my daughter anywhere else than here – where she can experience the beauty of each season.
13. Food – Good wholesome nutritious food. It keeps me healthy, it keeps me fueled and it sustains life. Besides, who doesn’t love food?! Especially around the holidays! ๐
14. Money – Without it, none of us would be able to have a roof over our head, food on the table and clothes on our body. I don’t need to be rich, but I’m thankful to have enough money to live a comfortable life.
15. Being a SAHM – I’m not sure if I ever imagined my life without a real job. You know, the one where you get up early, dress all professional and head off to some gig for 8-10 hours out of the day and bring home a big pay check which somehow defines you as successful. I used to eat that shit for breakfast. I used to buy into it. Money and a good career = successful. Now I beg to differ. What makes me successful is taking care of my daughter and raising her the way I feel is best. I own this stay at home mother thing – so take that Wall Street!
16. Thankfulness – Since becoming a mother I’ve done a much better job at actually appreciating the little things in life every day. I really try to be thankful for everything and not take anything for granted. I admit, there are days and moments it’s hard, we all have tough days, but I think the holidays are a time where we can all reflect on everything we have to be grateful for. So yea, I’m thankful for being thankful and not being an ungrateful bitch!
17. Humor – Because life would be So.Damn.Boring without laughter and humor! Sarcasm is my middle name bitches! ๐
18. My Healthy Happy Heart – The heart that beats in my chest every second of every day that is filled with love and kindness.
19. My Brain – My husband and I recently watched The Crash Reel, the documentary about pro-snowboarder Kevin Pearce. It moved us both to tears. Love Your Brain and take care of it, people. I know I love mine – and I’m definitely thankful for it.
20. My Siblings – I admit there are days where the mere thought of going through pregnancy again and adding more people to my family’s equation is daunting and exhausting. But then I look at how much I love my siblings and how close we all are. I don’t want to deprive my daughter of that same love and experience. My brother and sisters are awesome – they’re my friends and my family. I love them all dearly and I’m so thankful for them.
21. My Family – The grandparents, the aunts, the uncles, the cousins… Family is one of life’s best recipes. They all have different personalities that add a distinctive spice and flavor to the mix. I love them all!
22. Social Media – I’d be lost without the constant connection. For how else would I stalk you all?! No really, I love social media, there are times when I do to cut the connection, but I’m a social butterfly and I love where technology has taken us! #ProfessionalStalker ๐
23. Supportive Friends – I think the older I get, the more and more I realize that having fewer real friends is far more important than having 100’s of fake ones. I have also become a lot less tolerant for the people who pretend to be nice to your face, but who speak poorly and rail against you behind your back. It’s people like that whom which I “delete” from my life. I want to be a good role model for my daughter, and part of that is showing her who real people and supportive friends are, and to keep the ones who truly care and have your best interest at heart and walk away from those who don’t. I’m thankful for all the wonderful supportive friends I have in my life. The negative ones can take a hike! Ain’t no one got space for negative shit in their life!
24. The Great Outdoors – I LOVE being outside. Whether it’s walking, running, hiking or just hanging out, I love everything nature and the great outdoors has to offer. Back in the day I used to be a big gym rat and would spend up to two hours a day in one. Now I rarely use my “regular” gym because I’d much rather be hiking on the trails behind my house or doing planks and push-ups on big green hill. I’ve found a greater appreciation for exercise and a fitter body by being outside. Come spring, summer, fall and winter, I’m thankful for the great outdoors!
25. The Holidays – I instantly become five years old again when the holidays roll around. I carve pumpkins, I watch all the holiday specials, I LOVE all the decorations, I make gingerbread houses. It’s not about the gifts or the food (OK maybe it’s about the food a little!) but it’s more about the feeling of the season. It’s magical and it’s my favorite!
26. Creativity – I eat, sleep and breath creativity. Whether it’s in my kitchen, decorating my home or on paper. I’m thankful for the ability to create! It makes me happy!
27. Lazy Days & Cozy Pj’s – Tooootally random, but guys, I’m sitting at my kitchen table while it’s snowing outside and I’m snug as a bug in my cozy pjs. Where I just may stay all damn day! Ain’t nothing better than a cozy pair of pj’s peeps! I’m thankful to have days where I can seriously just stay in my pj’s all day and be lazy with my family, for these are some of my favorite days of all.
28. My Life – I wouldn’t trade a single aspect of what I’ve worked for and everything I’ve been blessed with. I am SO thankful for my life!
29. My Blog – Oh how this space of mine has evolved over the last 4 1/2 years. It’s crazy to look back at old posts and pictures of what it used to be and look like. It’s even crazier to think back when I thought making money blogging was just a far fetched dream and fantasy. While I’m certainly not rich from it, I have definitely found some wonderful and rewarding success from it. I have so much more on the horizon and I’m excited to see where else my ideas and hard work take me! Dreams do come true if you stay dedicated, work hard enough, want it bad enough and don’t let any negativity stand in your way ๐
30. My Followers – Because without all of YOU blogging just wouldn’t be the same! And in honor of being thankful for my blog and all my readers, I’m hosting a Thanksgiving link up & blog hop for the month of November. Please link up any post you’d like and hop on over to another one the list and share the love! ๐