I talked earlier about how gratitude is so good for every single one of us. I haven’t done a great job this year of staying positive and want to use National Gratitude Month to get into the habit of practicing gratitude on a daily basis. So here are the things I was grateful for this week:
Day 1: I’m grateful for the rain. Sometimes the rain feels right, even though it can be very dreary and it often keeps you stuck indoors. Without the rainy days, however, there would be no plants, no muddy puddles to splash in, and little appreciation for the sun. The next time you find yourself stuck in a downpour simply lift your head to sky, feel the drops landing on your nose, and try to appreciate the nature of life.
Day 2: I’m thankful for nachos for dinner. After a long day of work, laundry, and other errands, I decided to make cheesy chicken nachos for dinner. They were quick, easy, and delicious! They may not have been super healthy but it’s all about balance and letting yourself have a little fun. It’s also really simple: just buy all the ingredients you need from the store (I used tortilla chips, already-cooked grilled chicken strips chopped into bite-sized pieces, black beans, black olives, shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, jarred jalapeños, guacamole, and salsa), layer them up and bake them in the oven for a bit until the cheese is nice and melty. Yum!
Day 3: I’m grateful for Sebastian’s imagination and endless curiosity. I love watching him play and incorporate all of the things he’s learning in a way that makes sense to his three-year-old brain. I love laughing at his silly personality and watching him strike a pose in his favorite jammies and sunglasses or run around wearing clean underwear on his head like a hat. I love answering all of his questions and realizing that things we know “automatically” now are things we once had to learn, too. Childhood truly is magical and I’m so thankful that I get to experience it with him.
Day 4: I’m thankful for my friends. I get to talk to some of my friends almost daily, some I only see once a month, and some I only see once a year but I love them all the same. I’m incredibly lucky to have such amazing people in my life! I’m thankful for all of them, including the ones who are always there to talk, those who always support me, and those who send small gifts when I’m feeling down. They really are the best!
Day 5: I’m grateful for Soccer Shots. Sebastian loves running around on the field, chasing the ball, and I love that he’s learning new skills. Playing sports has a range of physical, emotional, and interpersonal benefits so I’m glad he’s into it from such an early age.
Day 6: I’m thankful for our cul de sac. It’s full of kids for Sebastian to play with and cool enough parents for Nick and I to play with–and right now by ‘play with’ I mean taking turns chasing our kids around and making sure they don’t bite it on the pavement on their scooters. It’s the village I’ve been wanting.
Day 7: I’m grateful for everyone who has worked so hard to end the reign of 45. In the very wise words of my friend Katie, “the election results give me hope, but I do not want to see this lead to complacency. I’m disappointed and confused by how close this election was. And I don’t expect to give Biden and Harris a free pass. They’ve been given a chance and, unlike the last four years, we need to keep our leaders accountable.” I couldn’t have said it better. But at least we’re starting to head in the right direction and the lives of so many people are significantly safer. For that, I am grateful.
That’s it for week 1. What are you thankful for?
