Thankful Thursday

Today, I am thankful for the simple idea of pausing to feel gratitude. It's something I've been trying to be more conscious of in my life. It's not always easy, but at any given moment there are more things than I can even think to mention that are making me happy, safe, fulfilled, challenged, inspired and loved. And today, I'm thankful to be part of Weekly Gratitude, a project started by Tatiana, the lovely blogger at Love, Life, Lace. It's a fantastic concept: Take time each week and reflect on the things that are making you feel grateful. I'm in!

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am grateful for my emotions. My boundless, impossible to control emotions that sometimes get me into trouble but that allow me to feel things so intensely and acutely. I'm glad that when I hear something sad that I feel it to the core of me, and I'm even more grateful that when I see something happy or think about someone I care about, my joy and love make me feel like I'm about to burst.

Photo from here.

Thankful

I'm overwhelmed today with how much I have in my life to be thankful for. My husband, dog, family and friends. The fact that we're all healthy. That we have good jobs and warm homes. That we can have fun and go on adventures, laugh and cry, connect with others and feel so much. That there's always more to see, do, learn and experience. That I can make a wish, and it can come true. That anything is possible. It's pretty wonderful. Happy Thanksgiving.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

I have been feeling such gratitude lately for one very exciting reason: My sister is expecting!

My sister and her husband are over the moon, of course, but I know she's also quite overwhelmed. Even though this is a new experience for her, as well as for our family, I wish she weren't so worried. She is absolutely amazing, the most caring person with a gigantic heart, and I know she is going to be a wonderful mother.

I found this photo of Gisele Bundchen and her baby, featured in Vogue, to be so tender. I will have to share it with my sister so she can think about the beautiful moments she has to look forward to.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for all that is out there -- for all the places in the world to visit, all the wonderful things to learn, all the amazing experiences to have. The fact that no one person can take them all in just adds to the wonder.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Ooooh, what a week it's been! Is it really Thursday or is someone playing a trick? These last few days have been filled with so many ups and downs. But the downs have reminded me of the amazing people in my life -- the ones who are always there and are quick with a hug, a patient ear or a funny story to make me laugh and smile. Come to think of it, they're the ones who make the ups so wonderful, too.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for a seemingly small but completely soul-sustaining fact: That there is daylight both when I arrive at work in the morning and when I leave in the evening. In a winter that's felt longer than usual, this little realization makes me so very happy. 

Wishing everyone a bright, sunny day!

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for love in its many and varied forms. 

My sister is a great example of this. She's a huge animal lover and shares her home with her husband as well as two huge golden retrievers. She rescued one from a shelter, an energetic boy with the biggest heart. And a new addition to the household is a kitten my sister found stranded in the middle of a road. 

Perhaps the best part of my sister's two newest animal companions is that they've become the best of friends. This huge dog and tiny cat are inseparable. They even share a food dish! And this photo of them cuddling just warms my heart. 

Can't we all use a dose of love on a chilly winter day?

Photo by my sister.

Still Thankful

It's the Monday after the long Thanksgiving weekend. In other words, back to reality. No more sleeping in and lounging around. No more eating nonstop and chatting for hours with family.

While we're all getting settled back into our normal routines, I still feel incredibly thankful. Not just for this gloriously relaxing weekend I just had. But for where I'm at right now in my life. I love that on Thanksgiving we pause and reflect on how good we have it. I try to do that throughout the year -- be more conscious more often about how blessed we are. I'm glad that these feelings are lingering after the weekend.

So, in honor of Thanksgiving, here are a few of the things I'm thankful for:
* My husband -- my dream guy, who makes me laugh, whom I'm incredibly attracted to, whom I always crave being connected with
* My parents -- not everyone has a good relationship with their folks but being close to them is one of the greatest blessings in my life
* My sister and her husband -- I love them and really, really like them; my husband and I are lucky to be friends, not just family, with the two of them
* My pup -- we logged in some major cuddle time this weekend and, quite frankly, I'm not ready to give that up
* My family -- I'm grateful for every last one of this crazy, loud, funny and deeply loving bunch
* My girlfriends -- although I don't live near all of them anymore, they're so important to me and I think of them constantly; I can't wait till we're together next
* My faith -- it's my rock and my backbone and my cornerstone
* My home -- the small, just-for-us life we're building in our house makes me so happy
* My job -- not only am I thankful for having a job at all right now, I can't believe it gets to be one that fulfills, challenges and rewards me
* My country -- it gives me advantages and opportunities that I'm not even conscious of on a daily basis
* My body -- being healthy and feeling well is absolutely one of the greatest gifts in life
* My mind -- my brain seems to always be shooting off in one random direction or the other but I am thankful for my creativity and the sharpness I have at least some of the time
* My choices -- being able to live healthfully and as cruelty-free as possible is crucial to me
* My inspirations -- I'm definitely lucky to live in a place where ideas, thoughts and crazy notions are all around

Happy Thanksgiving -- last week, today and every day.

Thankful Thursday

Lately, I have felt overwhelmingly thankful for being able to simply move.

I have gotten back into running, something I've tried to do for years. I've been blessed with several good runs and it feels so good to cover distance on my own two feet, to take deep gulps of air, to sweat and exert myself. And the endorphin rush that comes afterward doesn't hurt either. I can't wait to go for my next run!

I am truly blessed to be able to do this and I hope I never take it for granted.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I feel overwhelmingly grateful for home.

Not just my physical house, although I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much I do love it. I love how we're little by little fixing it up and making it our own. I love how it's this oasis of comfort no matter what's going on in the rest of the world. All day, I kept thinking about how I wanted to walk in and curl up in a blanket by the fireplace while it's chilly and drizzly outside.

But as much as I crave being in my house, it's the others that also call it home that are really the best. My husband and pup make my life so wonderful, and I can't think of much nicer than spending time with them at home. Whether cuddled inside or romping in the backyard -- as they're doing in this photo -- it doesn't matter. What matters is that we're here.

Since we've been away the past few weekends, he and I have expressed how much we are looking forward to this week and weekend, just being at home together with the dog. We've been carefully guarding the upcoming weekend, not saying yes to any invitations out just yet and not making too many plans. I think we both recognize how much the three of us just want to be together ... and be together at home. And I think that's a beautiful thing.

Photo by me.

Thankful Thursday

When I think of my parents, the first idea that comes to my mind is love. The two represent, embody and share with the world so many different types of love.

My mom and dad met when they were fifteen and sixteen, respectively. They've known one another nearly forty years and yet they’re still very much in love. They're on a "living life" mission and quite adventurous about trying new things.

My mom does nearly everything with my dad and our family in mind. She's absolutely the most loving, giving, selfless person I've ever known. She is unconditional love. Growing up under the presence of a person like that is one of the greatest gifts I'll ever be given.

My dad looks out for everyone, takes care of all his loved ones. He's the smartest person I've ever known and is so generous with everything he has. He can't help but be honest and real in every situation and he gives the best advice. I could not have survived without him as a teacher, coach and mentor.

I'm grateful my parents have each other and I'm blessed to have them both in my life.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today, I am feeling grateful for the past ten years. You see, my high-school class reunion is this weekend and I can't help but draw comparisons between then and now.

I always liked school and I was good at it. But when I was a teenager I was so afraid of so many things … people, experiences, expectations. I think I downplayed myself somewhat to make things easier for other people or to be liked by other people.

I was considered the "nice girl." But I'm gad for that. That's who I was and it's a huge part of who I am today. I'm still considered the "nice girl." 

However, a wonderful part of the past ten years is that I've allowed myself to be more and to be myself more, if that makes any sense. I'm less afraid of what people will think or me or expect from me. I like to think I'm stronger, wiser, braver and bolder than I used to let myself be. And I am so grateful for this.

I have absolutely no idea what Saturday will be like. Will people be nice? Will they have changed? Or will it be a flashback of our school days? However it goes, I think I'm ready for it and open to it. And for that, I am grateful, too.

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am feeling thankful for something quite simple but also absolutely wonderful: all the fresh fruit that's in season.

I love this time of year, when the markets, orchards and farms are bursting with vivid, juicy goodies.

Delish!

Photo from here.

Thankful Thursday

July 2 was always a happy day.

It's the day my grandpa was born in 1922 and he is probably the happiest, jolliest, most fun-loving person I've ever known. My family used to congregate on this day to celebrate -- and my grandpa would always insist that we celebrate the entire month.

Since losing him nearly nearly three years ago, July 2 is a bittersweet day. I love remembering him but it still hurts so badly to know he's gone.

My family knows that if we had to lose him, we are blessed in how it happened. He didn't suffer and nothing was left unsaid. He knew we loved him and he sure as heck told us and showed us that he loved us.

He was many things for many people. But for me, the way he lived his life is a perfect lesson in the importance and beauty and simplicity of letting people know you love them. Showing love doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't have to be grand. It can be little. But when it's constant, it feels anything but small.

Happy birthday, Grandpa. I love you.

Thankful Thursday

My heart is fuzzy, white and weighs eight pounds.

That's because my dog is one of the major loves of my life. Seriously, I cannot get enough of her.

I'm so thankful that she's been part of our family for three years now. She's opened my heart in ways I never knew had been closed.

She can be a bit of a stinker (we're still working on her barking and listening skills, but who's perfect, right?) but truth be told I dig her spunk and personality.

Photo by me.

Thankful Thursday

Growing up, my sister and I bickered a lot. We were just a year apart in school, so we were quite competitive with one another.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is that this has completely changed as we've grown up.

My sister is now one of my very best friends. We are opposites in many ways (although we share the same laugh) but she understands me better than possibly anyone on earth -- and she still loves me nevertheless. You really can’t ask for more than that. And you know how when you see or hear something and have to tell the one person who would appreciate it because no one else would really get it? Well, she's usually that person for me.

Since she’s the younger sister, I’m afraid she doesn’t know how much I look up to her and how much I learn from her. I’ll have to make sure she knows because I can’t imagine life without her in it.

Photo by my mom.

Thankful Thursday

I've been married for five years. I can't believe it's been that long. And I can't believe I was lucky enough to meet my husband. We met in college, so while I can't say we grew up together, I do think we became adults together. He's wonderful -- smart, funny, kind, sexy, adventurous -- and I can't imagine my life without him. I'm thankful that I've been able to create a life with him.

It can be difficult to grow together, in the same direction with someone, but I'm so grateful we've been able to so far. I want us to support one another and help each other become who we're meant to be. I want to always appreciate each other and remember why we came together. I hope we can always be good partners. I hope we can always be in love.

This photo was taken a few years ago while we found ourselves living in a new city. I like how this picture turned out. It reminds me that I always want us to walk side by side.

Thankful Thursday

Sometimes -- not often enough, but I’m hoping to change that -- I make a conscious effort to be more aware of the beauty and blessings around me. I sometimes say a prayer to be open to seeing these things. I know they’re there. I'm just too preoccupied sometimes to notice them.

I’d also like to give thanks for the wonderful things in my life. It’s a strange time, to be sure. Things are uncertain, people are struggling and worried. I’m not immune to this. But I want to remove myself from dwelling on the things that don’t matter and I want to focus on what I’ve been given and what’s good. Because I’ve been given a lot and so much is so good.

These feelings have been building in me for a while now. But I also feel a push from this quote. A reporter friend of mine just interviewed a father whose daughter had been killed by a drunk driver. Here’s what the father told her:

“Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”

This brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. These are ideas I’d like to live by. Wouldn’t you too?

Photo by me.