I’ll be the first to admit how easy it is to fall into a pattern of discontentment. It’s so easy to always be looking to the next thing, the next phase, wanting more and more, never satisfied with what we have. If only we can get that new job, that bigger house, that techy gadget (etc etc etc until the end of time) then, and only then, will we be happy. I’m guilty of letting myself fall into that trap. Popular culture tells us that we always need the newest, biggest, and bestest things in order to be complete… but in reality, the most important things aren’t things at all. They are people, ideas, and opportunities. They are experiences and dreams and feelings.
I’m thankful for the people in my life who love me and life me up. My husband, our friends, our family, our church community. They color my world, make me a better person and they pick me up when I feel like the whole world is falling apart. I am thankful for my sweet pets, who bring a smile to my face and calmness to my heart, even on the roughest of days.
I’m thankful for my education, the fact that I have the ability to read, and all of the jobs and opportunities that have come my way because of those facts. I know that a lot of the world, and girls in particular, don’t always have those same opportunities and I count myself blessed.
I am thankful for my talents and gifts and passions. They have lead me on interesting paths and I have enjoyed sharing my creativity and ideas with others. I’m thankful that I am in a situation where I can pursue my dreams and that my hubby is so supportive of everything I want to do.
I am thankful that I have gotten to travel and see some of the world. All the people I have, cultures I have experienced, and places I have seen have colored my worldview and helped me to become a compassionate and curious person.
I am thankful for the kindness of strangers. There may be a lot of darkness and danger in this world, but there is also beauty and warmness in the hearts of many. It restores my faith to see others acting with humanity and love. I am thankful for the kind comments that readers leave on my blog – it’s nice to know that what I do is able to touch people in some way.
I am thankful for the gorgeous world we live in. The trees, mountains, rivers. I live in such a beautiful corner of the world and the nature I get to experience restores my soul and brings me peace. It is a breath of fresh air in this increasingly busy and stressful world.
I’m thankful for this and SO much more. The roof over my head, the food in my belly and the clothes on my back. The fact that we are healthy and safe and live in a place where we have freedom and opportunities available to us that many others do not have. I’m thankful that Jesus sacrificed his life for me that I may live with hope and purpose because of His gift. And I’m thankful for all of you, dear readers, you are what keeps this little blog going!