We take Thanksgiving for granted every year. It’s become about food and football rather than actually being thankful for our lives. In 2020 especially, it has become all too easy to lose sight of what’s important in our lives and what greatness we have around us. Turn away from fear, and look inward. Find those things about yourself for which you are grateful. Then look to your immediate surroundings; what are you thankful for in that area? Beyond that, your small communities, city, state nation, world…what aspects can you find that are wonderful? I know this year has been rough, but that doesn’t mean our lives are devoid of Good. Take a moment to step back and reflect on the good around you and be grateful for it. Like most new years, many thought 2020 would be the year to take on big challenges, accomplish big things, and make big moves. Instead, it has forced us to slow down, take stock of our lives without the constant “go, go, go” mentality, and really consider what we’ve been place on this Earth to do. Being grateful and struggling are not mutually exclusive, but if you focus more on the former, the latter will diminish. 2020 has been different in so many ways; why not make 2020 the year we take Thanksgiving more seriously?
I took my own advice, and here’s what I’m thankful for this year (in no particular order, and this is definitely not a complete list, but that list would be way too long!):
My husband has now been home for about nine months. He’s gotten to see our son go from barely crawling to now running. These are milestones we never thought he would see in his current position traveling weekly Monday through Thursday. Our relationship has also blossomed from the togetherness. There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for that man. Thank you for letting me live my dream and build our family.
I am grateful for my son and for my ability to stay home with him. Being able to be present with him, to see him grow and develop, and to be his teacher and mother is a joy I will never take for granted. He is pure, and I am honored to be part of his story.
This year has allowed me to reconnect with some friends and family in ways that we typically say we don’t have time for. Having regularly scheduled video calls, responding to that long text or email in a timely manner rather than letting weeks go by before getting to it, and making time to listen to the concerns and hardships of others. On the flip side, this year has also allowed me to shed some people from my life that ultimately didn’t have my best interests at heart. And that’s beautiful, too. Finding those that allow you to be your authentic self around is very valuable, and this year has allowed refinement in that arena.
We have a steady income and a roof over our heads. I’m always grateful for this, but now more than ever, this is a gift.
I am grateful for the air I breathe, the bold Texas sun, and for the Earth beneath my feet. These are some of the key things that have kept my family healthy this year and every year. Don’t underestimate their power.
Along those same lines, I’m grateful to be expanding my knowledge of alternative medicines and moving toward a cleaner life to keep my family healthy and thriving. I am grateful for our sustained health and for learning new ways to maintain it.
I am grateful to be part of some lovely communities that have stayed strong in the face of tumult. Man is not meant to live on an island; he needs community to sustain him.
For what are you grateful? What has 2020 given you? It has given us all some wonderful things if you’re willing to recognize it. Stay grateful, friends.
Grateful for my donor! With out her I wouldn’t be cancer free today! ❤️