Gratitude is Groovy!!
Gratitude has become one of those trendy words over the years like #blessed but is obviously really worth the hype. Nothing can reprogram your morning routine like saying a few things you are grateful for before you even open your eyes. It really does transform your day. Thanksgiving is just another reminder to really drill home how groovy it is to be grateful. We are all grateful for (if we are #blessed to be that fortunate) for the basic necessities like food, shelter, water, etc. Those are always top of mind. Here is my list of other random things I am also thankful for; in case you're hunting for some ideas.
All the love that surrounds us. I've said this before in blogposts, but I am always astounded by the amount of “I love yous” I get weekly. It feels like a true testament of my character and the people attracted to it. I'm so blessed for this constant flow of love. It really keeps me afloat on my most difficult days. The ability to deeply love, be loved and love myself is magical. Like my shaman in Mexico said, “you just have to be love and share love, the rest will come to you."
With that, I am so grateful for friendships. Mine span the world, come from all walks of life and all have incredible stories of uphill battles and victories. I have such strong, deep diving, inspirational humans in my life and I am so fucking grateful for them. They are my chosen family. It took me a very long time in Fairfield County to filter through the bullshit people in order to find my ride-or-die people so that makes them even more valuable (don't give up if you haven't found them yet, they are out there!). I would not be where I am today without these folks- they really help me carry the heavy load of life. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of how much I love and value them.
Connection. In that same vein, I value the ability to connect with people. It's not always easy to be social and extroverted and authentic all at once and on top of that, find real connections- in all aspects of life, not just friendships. So every time I connect with someone who makes me go, “wow that's a cool person”- I am grateful.
The unconditional love of pets. I've always loved my dog but earlier this year, I almost lost her to cancer and even though the surgical vet gave her an average of only three weeks to 90 days to live, she has surpassed that by six months. Thank God for the magic of mushrooms- they have kept her alive and in great spirit. She is the most earnest love of my life, and I am thankful for every day spent with her.
Travel. This is what taught me that you can connect with people at every turn: solo traveling. I have been traveling solo for years and it's the greatest thing I ever did for myself. And being fortunate to have the ability (health, finances, etc.) to experience travel, culture and connection is something I deeply appreciate.
Podcasts. Thank God for people who yearn to create and share through podcasts. I've learned so much from podcasts. They are truly an amazing part of our advanced world. For the most part I am listening to mental health podcasts so it's basically free therapy (the rest of the time its murder/thrillers/mystery, comedy and interviews). I feel less alone when I'm working. I laugh, I cry, I grow- all from listening to people share their truths. There is a podcast for everyone so if you haven't started listening, I highly recommend you start now. They will change your life.
Failure. We fail all the dang time. Failed relationships, failures at work, failure to be on time, failure to complete our to-do list, failure to be kind, etc. Our life is constantly filled with failures. But the beauty comes in when you allow those failures to be teachable moments. Failures do not cease to exist, so choosing to learn and work around or with them is where the gratitude comes in. They are opportunities for real growth. They should never be an excuse for negative self-talk or shame because that is a dead-end street. Failures should be the reason you ask yourself, “how can I do better now that I know better?”
Growth. Every single experience- good, bad, painful, beautiful, traumatic, loving- all of it has led to growth. It has certainly not been easy. I am so grateful for every single moment that has brought me here today, even the ones that broke me down to a shell of myself. Because in those darkest moments, I had the opportunity to access parts of myself that I never knew existed. I am thankful every day that I chose to mature and grow out of my experiences.
“Doing the work” & Therapy. Growth does not magically show up at your doorstep. It requires putting in real effort and consistency. You have to really dig into how your childhood shaped you, what filters you are using against the world, what pain you are causing others, and take full ownership of those experiences and grow through them. Therapy requires action. It is not just fifty minutes of your life talking about your issues. You have to leave that room and apply that knowledge. And I am so grateful that I have the wherewithal to do just that. It has given me the grace to love myself wholly, set rigid boundaries of who has a seat at my table and the ability to fully express my needs while holding a compassionate space for my flaws. It is a constant evolution that I am so proud and grateful for.
Vulnerability. Growing up, I thought everyone could express their emotions through words. I was unaware that I am in the minority. I've always been able to laugh, cry and share what's going on in my turbulent head. I may not have had the mature language and knowledge to do so properly at a young age, but vulnerability came easy to me. The veil between me and emotional honesty is quite thin (which is honestly a blessing and a curse). But knowing this is not as easy for others, it makes me extremely grateful that I have the tools to express my emotions and needs without fear. If you are not in this category, I urge you to work on that. The ability to be vulnerable is what creates deep connection and understanding. It is a strength I am so grateful for.
Deep conversation. You know those people who can dive in and avoid all the small talk and get just into the hearty, juicy parts of life- I love those people. Don't ask me what my job is or where I live or blah blah boring blah. Ask me when the last time I felt disappointed or cried. Let's not waste our lives talking BS, let's get deep people! The ability to converse deeply and have people who can meet you in that space is pure joy to me.
A healthy body. The most important gratitude of all: my health. Without my health, nothing else would be possible. The saying is true, “A healthy person has a thousand wishes, a sick person only has one.” I do not take my health for granted. It is a priceless gift that I am beyond grateful for.
So what are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? What negatives can you turn into positives? What are you willing to change in your life to find more gratitude? What can you let go of that you've been holding onto? Who can you call today and say, “thank you for everything, I love you"?
Share your gratitudes loudly!
And please remember, gratitude is always quietly knocking on your door, you just have to let it in.
Happy Thanksgiving Maikana family!
I am grateful for each and every one of you.
Jamiesonxo