24: Grateful

I am doing NaBloPoMo this month. 30 blog posts in 30 days. Come join me. #nablopomo2022

photo credit: @ellienelie via Unsplash

A few years back, Stephany linked to a set of gratitude prompts and I thought it would be fun to pick 10 of the original 30 prompts to answer here today on Thanksgiving Day.

I’m most grateful for my ability to see the half glass full. It doesn’t mean that I don’t get frustrated, sad, or disappointed occasionally, but I can usually pull myself out of a hole pretty quickly. I have a hard time with naysayers and always, always focus on the positive, if at all possible.

At this moment, the thing I love most about my family is how close we are. I am very close with both my parents and with my sister and her family (as you know from the mention of our multi-generational family vacations) and on days like today, I miss them extra-hard, but I also really value having such a good relationship with them, because I know that others are not so lucky. I absolutely do not take this for granted.

The best thing I smelled today was coffee. I mean, come on, it’s the damn best smell, isn’t it? 

One of the memories I’m most grateful for is time spent with people in my life that are no longer here or part of our lives. I don’t know, sometimes I feel like we don’t talk enough about the people that are missing from our lives, but I sure do think about them a lot and often reminisce about the past.

The strongest part of my body at this moment are my legs probably, what with all the running and cycling. I need to work on upper body strength, for sure.

I’m grateful that my legs carry me. Full-stop. If you watch a friend slowly lose their ability to walk, it really drives home the point that you should be thankful for two healthy legs that carry you everywhere you need to go.

I’m lucky that I’m smart enough to figure out how to fix just about anything around the house. If you need a handy person, I am your girl. It’s kind of a running joke in our home now that whenever something breaks, Jon is convinced that I can fix it. Most times, he’s right.

The things I would never change about myself include my patience, empathy, and my loyalty. I know that sometimes I hold on to things a little bit too hard, but most of the time, I think the fact that I don’t give up on people easily and empathize deeply have proven to be good traits to have.

I’m grateful that I’m learning to stand up and advocate for myself. It’s a hard skill to come by for someone who suffers from imposter syndrome a lot, but who also deep down inside knows that she’s skillful and resourceful and absolutely capable of many things. 

Something that made me smile today was seeing all the people come out for the local turkey trot. The Sacramento Run to Feed the Hungry Run is the largest turkey trot in the country. I am so glad that I decided to run again this year. First of all, the run goes right through my neighborhood, so there was really NO excuse not to run. It’s also for a good cause and what better day to give to others than for Thanksgiving!

What is one thing you’re grateful for today?

  1. I have a long list of things that I am grateful for, and the smell of coffee is pretty high up there.

    Happy Thanksgiving and congrats on the TT. I can’t wait to hear about it.

    1. Coffee smell is hard to beat ;)

  2. So many things, but right up at the too are my family and my health. Happy Thanksgiving!

    1. Family and health <3

  3. Family, health, and the ginger/chocolate cookies currently sitting on my counter (I just had one, slightly warm, and mmmmm, it was good).

    1. The cookies sound amazing ;)

  4. Yes, thankful that I’m able to run- a lot of people can’t. I would say the best thing I smelled today… boy, that’s a tough one! Freshly baked rolls? Stuffing baking in the oven? Apple pie? It was a day of delicious smells. Happy Thanksgiving, San!

    1. I know that you appreciate running – esp with all your aches and pains recently!

  5. I love that list and all the things you have listed. It is sad to watch loved ones hearth decline and not being able to do much. I also love that you can fix everything.

    1. Thank you, Tobia. Lots to be grateful for.

  6. When I borked my hip in 2019, I swore I would never take movement for granted again. Walking was so painful for months! And I am grateful every day for my ability to walk and move. Yay for legs!

    1. Ugh, yes, I can imagine that an injury will put things into perspective real quick! Yay for legs indeed!

  7. I am so grateful to you, San, for keeping NaBloPoMo alive. It’s been so much fun and I’ve met so many new bloggy friends and you’ve been such a great organizer of it all. Thanks for being you and keeping this community active!

    1. That is so sweet, Engie! I am really so thrilled and thankful for every single one of you for making this year’s NaBloPoMo such a roaring success!!

  8. Happy Thanksgiving, San! I almost pulled out these gratitude prompts to do again this year. They’re a fun exercise!

    I am most grateful for my family and the strong relationships I have with my mom and my brother!

    1. These were a fun exercise – thanks for letting me steal the idea (again).
      I love that you have such a great relationship with your Mom and brother!

  9. Happy belated Thanksgiving! I am most grateful for my family – that we all get along and that I can count on them when it matters.

    1. That is indeed the only thing that really matters :)

  10. Health is definitely top of the list for me – my health and the health of my immediate and extended family!

    It’s wonderful to have such a long list of things to be thankful for!

    1. Health and family – yes!

  11. I love this, San. I particularly love how close you are with your family, despite the distance, and that you are the one who fixes things around the house. Go, you! :) And yes, coffee… best smell. I’ve never found a candle that can replicate it, so I’ll just keep making it so I can smell it AND benefit from it. :)

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