Cheers to another wonderful year. As we step into this time of Thanks, there is much that comes to mind.
It is easy to be thankful for the apparent good things:
I am thankful for our first batch of chickens
I am thankful my Son is back on US soil
I am thankful Clarence’s son is back living in MN
I am thankful that I still have both of my parents at 88 and 91
I am thankful that I get to work with REALLY COOL PEOPLE for a living!! (that’s you)
There is so much I am thankful for
In general, I am a thankful person.
The challenge is to be thankful in the times that are not so apparent as gifts to us:
I am thankful for the opportunities of self growth that came on the many days and weeks I had no idea where on earth my child was… I learned self discipline. I learned true Faith. I learned to let go of my ego needs as a Mom and trust that my life is always unfolding before me. I learned to stay present to the moment and pay attention to what I can do, instead of what I can’t. I learned to connect to my ex-husband in ways that let me experience the good that he brings to the table in my life, and so much more.
I am thankful for the growth that came when I lost people, both in death, and in simply letting them leave my life. I learned to let go of things that happened a long time ago, and to let myself know those events mattered, but that time moved on, and so we changed as well.
I am thankful for learning to let go of resentment, which I learn through feeling it.
I am thankful for listening to my own inner truth, which came through others behaviors that told me I didn’t have value.
Sometimes the greatest gift we give and receive is being able to find reasons for gratitude in the midst of challenges. That everything is an opportunity, not just for growth, but for mindfulness. To pause long enough to ask ourselves what is our truth within the experience? To connect to our deep emotions, to pay attention to the mindsets/beliefs that fuel our behaviors and to honestly ask ourselves if our old way is still the best way of handling things.
Maturing is not something we stop doing when we hit 25. It is a continual process of becoming our next best version of ourselves. Loving and honoring the versions of ourselves that it took to get here.
During this season of thanks be thankful for all you have and those around you, AND be thankful for the you that you have become in this year as well.
That person deserves two desserts for sure.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone, Anne