Be thankful, not regretful, this Thanksgiving
PIN IT!I’ve had a busy past week, and don’t see myself getting any less busy until after the new year. Yikes! I just got back from a 4 day excursion in Denver, Co (GORGEOUS) and am prepping myself for a weekend with the in-laws in Charleston (also, gorgeous!) I’m still in absolute awe that’s it’s already Thanksgiving. Although I love this holiday, inspired by gluttony, and a bit of history and thanks thrown in, I’m also completely terrified of what a FULL day of eating and drinking will do to my waistline. But I’ll try my best to put those worries aside and keep my type A personality in check. (Operative word is try, that doesn’t mean I won’t take a jog in their neighborhood or keep a notebook of my calorie counts in my back pocket).
Now, as the title of this blog clearly states, Thanksgiving is all about thanks. Giving thanks, receiving thanks and spreading “thanks” all around. However, since the day has turned into a day of feasting and bingeing, most people are left feeling more regret than thanks on that decadent Thursday. (I’ve been there, I still have trouble kicking myself when I reach for another scoop of mashed potatoes). I’ve spent Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving bloated and regretful for all that I indulged, which left very little time for thanks. (Self loathing can suck up 3 hours fast!) So this year, I’m going to focus more the thanks and the giving portion of the holiday. Because really, that’s what the holiday is for!
So here are the things I am utterly thankful this year and when my mind starts to wonder to calorie counting, self-hatred and the utter fear of an expanding waistline, I’m going to recite this list to myself and to others. Nothing kicks negative energy better than a dose of positive!
1. My friends & my family. Even if I say thanks every second of every minute until the day I die, that will still not amount to how truly thankful I am for such an amazing family and group of friends. No matter what debacle I find myself in (trust me, there have been MANY) they all stand by side and support me in all that i do. I would not be who I am and who I hope to be without them.
2. My boyfriend, my doggy and having a wonderful place to call home. I’m so lucky, and I know it, to have the love of a wonderful man. I’ve had my ups and downs in relationships and I’ve had my heart-broken more times than I can count, so when Elliot came along, I was scared, hesitant and a little broken. Not only is he a wonderful man, he is easy to love, and I’m so happy when I’m with him. And my doggy! (a gift from said wonderful boyfriend). Puts a smile on my face every time I see him. No matter how bitchy, pmsy, tired or wrong I am, he still loves me. and wags his fluffy little tail when I walk in the door. I’m also so thankful for our home. Although it’s just a little one bedroom place, it’s ours and we’ve decorated and made it feel like home.
3. Having great health. I give thanks for this every single day. Health is something so many people take for granted and it’s something I never will. There are so many diseases killing millions of people a day and I’m able to work, run, eat and live normally, which allows me the ability to help these people and help find cures to all of those not as lucky as I am. For all the others out there who are also blessed with great health, use your luck to help others who are not as fortunate.
4. A great job, with fantastic coworkers, in a beautiful city. Everyday, I’m told how lucky I am to have gotten such a great job in such a great city right out of school. And I mean right. I walked off the graduation stage into my Washington DC office. I’ve heard horror stories of recent grads not getting a job until a year after graduation or having to take a crappy job in a rural countryside in order to survive. I’m so thankful to have gotten such an amazing opportunity at a firm where there is endless possibilities for promotion and learning. And not to mention, I have some pretty amazing coworkers.
5. Life!! I know, life seems a bit broad. But I’m so thankful for it! I’ve been blessed in my life and have had so many amazing experiences and opportunities that not many people get. I’m so thankful for everyone in my life, the direction my life is taking, and all of the amazing things I know “life” has in store for me.
So in the spirit of the season, share what you are thankful for with your loved ones, and have them share theirs. It’s called THANKSgiving for a reason 🙂 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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