Thoughts for Thanksgiving Day

       As the holiday season really takes off, I'm trying to make the most of it. Time really is precious, you know?

       Thanksgiving might have a rather controversial history, but I'm a modern day woman, and as such I have the power to make today whatever I want it to be about. Instead of going the more powerless route and complaining about what it used to be, I choose instead to take it at face-value, and invite it as a day to highlight an emotion I'm invited regularly to enjoy; gratitude and thankfulness.

        For me, I'll be celebrating it with a girl who's become a sister to me, and her amazing family. My early childhood was spent surrounded by people of incredibly similar culture, so having this opportunity really brings the holidays back to life. Upon meeting them all a year ago, it was hard to imagine they were ever strangers to me! They felt like family-immediately. I love coming back to visit, making memories, and hearing about what's going on in their lives. This family togetherness is one I admire, and a model after which I hope I can form my own family. And if I don't get to raise my kids close to Vianey's kids, I don't know what I'll do!

       There are in fact three very significant people who will be missing from this show for me, though; and that would be my three baby brothers, Chase, Christian, and Liam. They're a lot of nitwits! They're my favorite though. Growing up, we were all each other really had. Being close in age (each of us just separated by about two years), we went through similar phases at the same time, and therefore were left with the feeling that no one could understand us like we understood us. We're very close. We keep in constant contact, letting each other know what we're doing, what we need, what we're thinking, and so on. If there are any closer siblings than us, I'd like them to teach us a few things! Not every group of kids turns out as close as we four are, and I count myself incredibly lucky to be able to say through anything, I've got three phenomenal best friends who always have my back.

       Of course, I'd be some kind of crazy to neglect my friends that are family by choice. Some of them have been my friend since the beginning of time, others only recently popped into my life. I think it says a lot about the human condition how willing we are to gather each other up and invest so much love and time and effort into other people. Humans are really incredible that way.
I'm really not a social person at all-I can only handle so many people for so long. Still, I'm happy to spend any amount of time listening to others and helping them figure out their lives or celebrate accomplishments. These people have taught me a lot about myself as they've invited me to teach them.

        Life is so short. Everyday that passes, I appreciate that fact more and more. We can get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget that time is precious and people need to be loved...we lose sight of what is important. Or, we just get so particular about things. We set limitations on ourselves that don't need to be there,. We don't allow ourselves to relax and be happy until something specific happens, but before that's even done we set a new goal and continue to withhold happiness from ourselves. I won't be happy until I live in this place, I can't be happy until I have their approval, I need exactly this much money before I can relax... It's insane, isn't it? Who in their right mind would choose to be miserable because they don't have their dream lifestyle, meanwhile they're living under the same roof as some phenomenal people with crazy stories and enormous potential and big hearts, or have the opportunity to eat something delicious, or live somewhere other people would pay whole grocery budgets worth of money just to bask in for a few days? There's so much to celebrate, so much to be grateful for, so much to enjoy!

       I hope that this Thanksgiving helps everyone get a solid step forward towards allowing themselves to be happier and more grateful. I hope everyone slows down a bit and takes their time to really recognize what they've been blessed with.

       If you are reading this, I want you to look around for the next bit. Take note of the people around you. How well do you know each other? What memories have you made or can you make? What resources do you have that you're glad you don't have to live without? Let go of the stress to be perfect, to have everything, to be everything, and just enjoy the world you've got. Make a list or just quietly reflect on everything you have had the pleasure of experiencing in your life-every time you've laughed loudly with a friend, every time you've had a meal and a warm place to sleep (or anywhere at all), all of the times you've been proud of yourself or someone else. Enjoy the peace you have.

       I'm very grateful for everything I have. There's nothing in this life that's been thrown at me that i haven't been able to turn into something amazing for myself. Even if an experience was particularly painful, I learned something from it, and with that knowledge was given the opportunity to enrich others' lives and support them.

       Readers, thank you so much for taking the time to read my words and support me. It never fails to shock me just how many people take their time so often to see what I have to say. Every time someone contacts me with gratitude for what I said or positive remarks of any kind, I become even more grateful for my lot in life. I hope you all have lives that are bright, filled with love and opportunity, and above all, leave you feeling accomplished.

       Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!