I was challenged to write each day in November something I was grateful for about myself. I didn’t write every day, but I wrote 30 things. This exercise didn’t come naturally, but it was well worth it. I found the more I did it, the more it sunk in: I really am a good person. I really do make a difference, even in the smallest of ways. What if everyone could take the time to spend 30 days telling themselves that they loved themselves? Here goes:
- I am grateful for my willingness to eat healthy and not be tempted by sugar and fatty foods.
- I am grateful for my ability to make people laugh
- I am grateful for my voice
- I am grateful for my willingness to be heard.
- I am grateful for how I make a priority my relationship with my husband Rory. We set time aside on a regular basis to have date days and today we did just that. I love how I let him know just how important he is to me by making time for him.
- I am so grateful that I have created a life that allows me to be here when my daughter Margaret needs me – which may only be to drive her to the mall – but no matter when it is, I’m here.
- I am grateful that I am here when she’s had a bad day and wants to sit on my lap and tell me all about it – yes, she still does that occasionally!
- I am grateful that I appreciate the beautiful sky with all its many cloud formations
- I am grateful that I see the gorgeous trees with all their changing colors
- I am grateful that I appreciate the laughter of my daughter and her friends filling up the house on Thanksgiving Day and
- I am grateful that I have made a home that is welcoming and warm.
- This past weekend my 17-year-old daughter performed in her school concert and I realized how grateful I am that I never let her quit her piano lessons all these years. To see her play in front of her classmates and have her take her bow afterwards – and the proud look on her face – was worth all the times she asked to quit and I said, “No, you will regret it years later when you are older.” It may have taken a few years and a few arguments, but I know she loves to make music now and is grateful her Mom didn’t let her quit.
- I am grateful for how I am willing to have tough conversations.
- I am grateful for how I love to try new things.
- I am grateful for how I love to learn.
- I am grateful for my willingness to admit when I’m wrong (most of the time).
- I just returned from a concert performed by the Pleasanton Community Band where my husband plays clarinet. Roberta Gonzales, the local weather channel lady, was the MC and all the music was weather related. It was so much fun to hear tunes that my folks would listen to as I was growing up and it reminded me of how much joy music has added to my life. I am grateful for my love of music. Today 45 volunteer musicians came together to share their love for music and the result was music to my ears.
- I am grateful for how well I take care of me going to my doctor for regular check-ups, how I searched for a doctor who shared my beliefs about holistic health, how I am working with my doctor, my B.E.S.T. practitioner, my yoga teacher and my life coach to take care of me.
- I am grateful for how I encourage people to be their best and to believe in themselves.
- I am grateful for my willingness to try something new like playing the guitar, something I have wanted to do for years, but only just realized that I was worth it – and it was worth it – to learn how to play and sing loud and proud.
- I am grateful for how I love to read not only a good novel for entertainment but personal growth books for moving forward in my life.
- I am grateful for how I love to sing, anytime, anywhere. Just yesterday in the car with my teenage daughter I broke out singing while Neil Young sang in his scratchy voice, “Old Man Take A Look At My Life, I’m A Lot Like You Were”. My daughter just rolled her eyes because she has become used to these sudden outbursts from her mother.
- I am grateful that I see the beauty in others.
- I am grateful for how I smile at complete strangers just to brighten their day. I wave to our neighbors going up and down the street when driving to and from our home – well, at least I think they are my neighbors, but I don’t care, they could be the dry cleaners delivery boy, but he deserves some sunshine in his life today.
- I am grateful for how I trust myself and am working diligently to listen more to my gut feelings and am trusting my instincts.
- I am grateful for how aware I am and how perceptive I am of people’s feelings and intentions.
- I am grateful for realizing how important exercise is
- I am grateful for how I have created a life that revolves around regular exercise including yoga, barre fusion, and walking.
- I am grateful for my volunteer work that I do for my daughter’s school and how much I do to support its founding pillars and mission statement.
- I am grateful for how I care about others and can empathize with others and feel their pain.
What are you grateful for? Make your list today.