Six years ago, I did a series about gratitude, following these prompts. And I thought – hey, maybe it’s time to revisit those prompts! My life has changed a lot since 2013, so it might be fun to see where I was at then – and grateful for – and where I’m at now. Plus, I was looking for something semi-easy to blog about in November since a lot of my creative energy and time is being spent on NaNoWriMo.
Let’s dive into the prompts (and totally feel free to do this on your own blog! I’d love to see it!):
1) I’m most thankful for my ability to empathize. I think this is one of the strongest things about me – my ability to listen and empathize with other people. Someone I love is going through a really rough time right now and I love that this person feels comfortable coming to me to talk about it, knowing I will be the sounding board they need. Of course, this can often backfire as I tend to take in other people’s emotions but, through lots of therapy, I’m learning to let it go and understand I can listen and offer advice without needing to burden myself with their emotions.
2) In this moment, the thing I love most about my family is our honesty. I’m talking about my mom and my brother here, and I just love how we have really allowed ourselves to open up. The three of us have been through a LOT together and separately, and it has made us much closer as a result. We are not afraid to get real about our feelings and express our emotions. It feels so good to have a safe space where I don’t have to be anyone but myself with them, and I know they will always love me unconditionally.
3) Something that made me smile today was seeing my kitties when I came home! I just love coming home to them. I was gone for 13 hours today so it was a long time away from them! (For me, at least. I’m obsessed with my girls.) While I was at work, a maintenance guy came by to fix a few things in my apartment and I think they were hiding under my bed until I came home! Poor little ladies. But once they saw it was me, they came out for pets and love. <3
4) The best thing I smelled today was Starbucks! I stopped by to get a peppermint mocha because it’s that time of year! I’ve had three since they came back in season less than a week ago, oops.
5) One of the memories I’m most grateful for is all the moments I got with Pops when he was in the hospital. I screenshot a text my mom sent me after he’d been in the hospital for a few days where she said, “I feel like chopped liver. Pops keeps asking when you are going to get here.” And it just meant the world to me, to know that I brought him a level of peace and comfort just by being there. I tried to bring him strawberry milkshakes when he had the appetite for them and just be a person in the room. Because that’s all he really wanted, to not be alone. I had no idea we’d lose him so suddenly, and I am so immensely grateful that I was able to be there just about every day and have sweet moments with my Pops.
6) Thank goodness someone taught me how to be a cat mom! This one goes out to Kim, as she was endlessly patient with me and all my questions throughout my journey to become a cat mom. She sent me a long list of cat supplies to think about buying, calmed me down whenever I got worried about Eloise and her acclimating to my apartment, and cheered me on through every stage of cat motherhood. She’s been so supportive and helpful and made me feel so much less anxious about the prospect of owning a cat. I’ve never owned a cat or even had much familiarity with them, but Kim was the perfect person to reach out to because she never made me feel silly or dumb for my questions and is also SUCH a huge cat person that she makes me feel completely normal in my obsession with my girls. Cat people FTW!
7) The strongest part of my body in this moment is my heart. Okay, this is going to be very cheesy but I honestly can’t point to something super physical, like my legs or my arms, or even my mind right now. But my heart is strong. It beats fiercely for the people I love and has been beaten up so many times, but still, it loves. My heart is the very best part of me.
8) Even after a rough day, the things I’m most grateful for at work are supportive coworkers, a great boss, and creative work. When I originally did these prompts, I was just a few months into the job I’ve now been at for six years and in a complete honeymoon phase. I’m not in that same honeymoon phase but I still really love my job. I have autonomy and really supportive people around me, and I get to flex my creative muscles from time to time. I’m immensely grateful.
9) I’m so grateful that my legs carry me through just about any workout I want. I may need to take breaks and may need lower-intensity accommodations, but I can do the workouts. It’s easy to feel unmotivated to work out or whine about not having the time, but what an honor and joy it is to move my body the way I want to.
10) I felt a little burst of energy today when I finished a workout class. I haven’t been to BodyPump in a few weeks, but I went this morning and it was exactly what I needed. I felt strong going through the movements and proud of myself for getting up early and doing the damn thing.
What’s something that made you smile today?
I am definitely going to answer these prompts Thanksgiving week! Love them! It’s a great time of year to reflect on our many blessings. Life isn’t perfect and we all have our challenges but we have so much to be thankful for when we think about it!
Something that made me smile today was getting Paul out of his crib this morning. He is usually crabby when he wakes up but he wasn’t this morning. I asked him if he pooped and in the cutest voice he said, “yah.” He’s at a really fun stage right now. There are challenges (like when he cried and cried for me with his hands reached out when Phil left to take him to school this morning and all the strong emotions) but overall I’m loving this stage.
Oh, this is a great post (and I might have to steal it for later this month for NaBloPoMo!). It sounds like you’re in a really good place and there are tons of things to be thankful for.
Something that made me smile today: a beautiful sunrise (the perks of getting to work at the crack of dawn!).
I love this! And the more I hear about your Pops, the more I can see what a great man he was. I’m so glad you have such special memories of him. The last time I saw my papa before he passed, he was in the hospital. I remember it so clearly. Wish I could see him again.
So, Jerry has been trying to get a cat for years and I keep telling him no because of the dog. But last week out of nowhere, I said “I want a cat,” so now I’m sort of / kind of on the hunt for an adult/senior cat. Lord help me!
Oh my gosh, you totally made my day with that shoutout. Thank you so much and it’s been such a pleasure to share what I know with you, and learn from your cats, and watch them grow and see you guys as a family! I love your girls and hearing all your stories about them! They are the sweetest <3 And yes, you are totally normal in your obsession. I mean, your girls are so fab, I am obsessed with them too!
I think it's so wonderful you had that time with Pops. That text says so much. And I think ties in to #1 about being empathetic. I think I really need a friend like you sometimes. Someone to just listen! Or be with me. Your family and friends are lucky to have you! I bet you are on many of their grateful lists.
I love that your gym is finally open and you are back at classes and enjoying them. Yay. And finally! (silly gym)
Well, you know what made me smile! Your #6!!!! <3 <3 <3