Where has this year gone? It feels like last month was New Years and now we are in the end of September. With the leaves falling, it reminds me of regrowth. Letting the dead leaves fall off, so new leaves can grow. I think it is important for us to remove the things that are weighing us down that are not meant for us any longer so that we can make room for new growth.
Although change can be hard, it is a beautiful thing to see the dead leaves falling and the trees changing colors, just like in our own lives. Life can be bare at times just like the tree loosing its leaves, but when you give it a little time, it turns out to be even more fuller and beautiful.
With the holidays coming up, and it can be hard for us all between planning, shopping, and missing family who is either far or in heaven, we all should take time to remember the things that we are grateful for. Here are my top 10:
- I am grateful to still be alive and healthy. Life is so uncertain nowadays and I have lost enough people that were very dear to me so to know that I am safe in a home with my kids, and I am healthy and breathing is a blessing. We all have food in our bellies and are surrounded by love. I truly cannot ask for much more than that.
- I am grateful for the relationships in my life, that are healthy relationships at that. For years I struggled with having some unhealthy relationships and just surrounding myself with people that did not align with my goals and the person I wanted to be. So to know that I truly have slim to none relationships that are toxic or draining makes me feel grateful and proud. I am even grateful for the relationships that caused me some pain because I am learning to not let them break me and to just let them go, and they also remind me how thankful I am for the healthy and loving relationships that are in my life and that I truly do have people that love me for me and do not look at me like I am the person I was in the past.
- I am grateful that I will be turning 33 next month and I have grown a lot the past year. Most importantly, I am finally becoming more hopeful and open to finding love again. I realize it is important because we all deserve to feel loved and we all deserve a safe place and someone to do life together, through the good and the bad. I have been single for a few years now because I was so traumatized and hurt from my previous relationship that I had lost a lot of hope when it comes to love. Becoming a better version of myself and witnessing those I love be loved by their significant other has helped me open my eyes to finding that love for me also and I think that’s important.
- I am grateful that my kids are flourishing. They are getting good grades, even if it involves extra studying, they are putting the time and work into doing so. They are good friends to others, loving and humble to family, and they are finding that the beauty starts from within. I try to instill that in them constantly because not only do we need to have confidence in ourselves but we need to realize that being kind to yourself and others is just as important.
- I am grateful that even though I live hours and hours away, I was able to visit with family a few times this year and also take my kids on a vacation to the beach. Life can be chaotic with a never ending to do list, and things are costly nowadays, but life is also so short. So it feels so nice have been able to spend time with family and to do things together, even if it is just sitting around a dinner table together eating a good meal. It is the little things that matter most.
- I am grateful that I have worked hard to find a way to make ends meet in a time like this, with inflation and the increase in the cost of living. I hustle hard to make sure I can not only provide a home for me and my kids, but also pay my bills on time, treat us to do things, and buying them what they need.
- I am grateful that I was able to take my oldest daughter to her very first concert, Zach Bryan, in Atlanta, GA and stay the night in a hotel together just the two of us. We went for her 11th birthday and it was one of the best times of my life. It was two days after her birthday in a city nearby so I definitely think this was meant to be. It was so amazing to witness him perform live and I know my daughter enjoyed every second of it as much as I did. That was definitely a time we will never forget.
- I am grateful that I am another year sober and do not rely on any prescription pill or drug to get me by each day. I am enjoying life free and serene and it feels good to solely depend on no one but yourself. Life can get overwhelming, but to tackle each day being optimistic and not giving in to unhealthy habits is definitely something that I am proud of and thankful that I am now able to do.
- I am grateful that I am working on this blog more and pushing towards my dreams of expressing myself and helping others, becoming more financially secure, and staying driven so that hopefully one day I can have that small farm for me and my kids that I have always wanted. Also, pushing to open up a few businesses and helping others in need. So I am thankful for my dreams and believing that I am not only deserving but capable of them.
- I am grateful that I am me. I have often beat myself up for my past, wishing so badly things had went differently. Wishing that I had been more successful in a stable career, wishing that I had not struggled with addiction, wishing that I had chosen better relationships, wishing that I had taken care of my body and health more. But today, I can truly say that I am grateful I am who I am and I would not be this person if it was not for my struggles and failures. I am still learning to embrace every fall and every flaw but life is a work in progress and just like they say, focus on progressing not perfecting.
Well that is my list y’all. Happy fall and I hope that you enjoyed reading the 10 things that I am grateful for this year. I hope for healthy and happy holidays for all of us as 2024 comes to an end.
Til next time, from me to you.
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