Well we made it to November…I’m not sure if that’s something to be proud of or if we should just all be relieved that there are only 2 months left in the nightmare that has been 2020. Over that past few months I’ve had many inclinations to sit and to write, but I’ve struggled to put paper to pen and have never really felt like what I had written was worth sharing. But recently I’ve started to think and imagine new things and I want to share the story and I realize I need to practice, practice, practice.

To that end I am challenging myself to post once a day, everyday for the month of November. It might be that I only post the things I am grateful for, like today. There might be more to share about my new found interests in camping, traveling solo and possible adding a small teardrop trailer to my family. Who knows what will come out, but I am just going to put it out there and not worry about whether or not its good, or if anyone reads it or cares. I want to find my voice, share my story and hopefully but a little something positive out into the world that might shine some light into the darkness.

To kick off this month long journey I am going to keep it simple and share 10 things I am grateful for. I know this might seem simplistic, but I have found that during some particularly low moments in 2020 the act of writing down a few things I am grateful for at the end of the day has helped me. It helps me to not feel so lost, hopeless, and defeated. I challenge anyone that reads this to give it a try. Join me in cultivating your own practice of gratitude.

10 Things I Am Grateful For Today:

1. Time with family. One of the reasons I moved to Dallas was to be closer to my family, and now that my mother has moved to the area its nice that we can meet up for a walk, have Sunday dinners together, play games and just be together without a 3 hour drive.
2. Friends that understand your new favorite game – Allergies, Flu or Covid? Can laugh with you at the most absurd things even though you all live in different states and have only seen each other in person once this year.
3. Cooler Weather – I prefer living in sweatshirts and leggings and I love my stocking hats so bring on the cooler temperatures!
4. Christmas Music, sorry not sorry it makes me happy and I listen to it first thing in the morning.
5. Hallmark Christmas Movies. There are no political ads on Sling TV for which I am grateful and these movies make me happy.
6. Colleagues that don’t ever give up and work together to do amazing things for each other and our residents all while practicing social distancing and wearing appropriate PPE.
7. Eloise and Gracie, fur children are the best children.
8. New ideas and dreams.
9. People willing to share their stories and experiences that inspire others.
10. Virtual Church, sorry but I love being able to connect with my church home while still wearing my stinky running clothes with a warm cup of coffee.

What are you thankful for?