25 – When I look around my home, I’m grateful for the fact that I really enjoy living with my mom.

Since I was seventeen, aside from the year I lived on campus during my freshman year of college, my mom and I have lived together, just the two of us. It’s been so nice and I have really enjoyed living with her. I am grateful that we get along, enjoy each others’ company, and that she’s never pressured me to move out. It’s been such a wonderful experience living with my mom and I am just so grateful and blessed to have such a close relationship with her.

26 – When I look around at the world, I’m grateful for freedom.

We honestly have no idea how good we have it. I am free to read whatever I want, have a career, do things on my own without a male counterpart, worship where I want and how I want, criticize public officials, and write on a public blog. I have a roof over my head, electricity, running water, a comfy bed, and food in my home. I go to sleep with a full belly every night and I have enough money in my bank account to get me to my next paycheck. Freedom. We have so much of it, and I think it’s so easy to get bogged down in what we don’t have, or what we want, or what we think we need, and we forget that we live in a world some people cannot even imagine. We are living the dream. We really and truly are.

27 – I love that I have the ability to daydream about my next cruise!

My mom and I have already discussed our next cruise. This will be the sixth one for both of us. And after having a balcony room during my girls’ cruise this month, we’re even contemplating reserving a balcony room. We’ve already settled on the cruise we want to do (a 7-day cruise out of Miami that leaves in May) and just thinking about is filling me with such joy and glee. I can’t wait!

28 – I love it when I see animals anywhere!

Goodness, I don’t think I could be more of an animal lover. I definitely love animals more than I love people. (Usually, I get more choked up about news stories involving animals than I do about news stories about people.) They are just so innocent and sweet (well, most of them) and fun to be around.

29 – The nicest thing I have felt on my skin today was a pair of jeans!

On Monday, my company announced we were free to dress casually on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Typically, we adhere to a business professional dress code Monday – Thursday and then a casual dress code on Fridays, so we were all stoked we could dress down and wear jeans this week. I’ll admit, I felt a bit funny walking out of the house on a Tuesday in a pair of jeans, as if I was being naughty or disobedient (almost 26 years old and I’m still completely terrified of authority!). It is really the little things, sometimes, isn’t it?

30 – I’m grateful that I’m learning to enjoy the present moment.

I was looking through my worksheets from the Holiday Council 2012 and noted one of my goals for 2013 was to enjoy what’s happening in the present and stop worrying so much about what’s to come in the future. To stop worrying about being a certain weight or meeting someone special or having the perfect career. To enjoy what is in front of me and have hope for what is to come (but not dwell on it!). And I believe I am learning to do that. I feel more centered and present and here. I’m not looking forward or backward, I’m just feeling peace and contentment for what lies in this moment. It’s precious, this life we’re living. We don’t get a second chance at it. So we might as well enjoy the ride.

And that concludes my “Gratitude in the Everyday” posts! It’s been fun reflecting on my life and completing these prompts over the past few weeks and I want to wish a very, very Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers. The next few days are going to be a whirlwind for me, with a race to run, food to eat, and a birthday to celebrate! I’ll be back on Monday with a full recap on all the festivities. Have a good one, friends!

19 – I’m grateful my eyes let me see the beauty surrounding me: from daily sunrises and sunsets to the gorgeous views in places far away.

Sight is something so precious to me, probably because bad eyesight is something that has plagued me since I was eight years old. And there is just so much beauty to see. Florida is a beautiful place to live and I am also grateful for the fact that I have been able to take vacations where I can see beauty in places far away – such as Mexico and Jamaica and Key West and the Cayman Islands. I am in awe of creation.

20 – The things I would never change about myself include my introverted, homebody nature, my love for animals, and my faith.

It’s taken me a long time to come to terms with my introverted nature, as well as being a homebody. It’s just been in the past couple of years that I understood what being an introvert means and how it affects every part of my life. Extroverts seem to rule the world, but introverts also have their place. I am learning to embrace my place and be okay with the fact that I don’t need to constantly be doing and seeing things to be content. I can just be, and that is usually the best place for me.

My love for animals is something that’s always been a part of me. There’s just this piece of my heart that is irrevocably attuned to animals.

My faith, while not as strong as I wish it were, is also something I would never want to change about myself, nor do I think I could. I grew up in church and while I’ve been stumbling around these few years, trying to figure out what faith means to me and what a relationship with Jesus looks like in my life, it’s still an important part of my life and who I am.

21 – The best thing I tasted today was Dr. Pepper.

I am addicted to this stuff. Not addicted addicted, but drinking it makes me happy. I’m giving up soda in December and it’s probably coming at the perfect time. My self-control when it comes to soda drinking is not the best right now.

22 – I love going online to read blogs and connect with others. 

Right below reading, blogging is my favorite hobby. Both writing blog posts and reading them. I almost always have my RSS reader up on a tab on my computer and I constantly read throughout the day. When I need a break at work, blogs. When I’m watching TV, blogs. When I’m unwinding, blogs. When I’m procrastinating about getting outside to exercise, blogs. I just really, really love these little glimpses into people’s lives. I love the advice and the tips and the funny memes. I love the vulnerability and honesty with which some bloggers share their true thoughts and feelings. I love reading about goals and dreams for the future and dreams coming true. I am really not sure where I would be today, if not for blogging and the people it has brought into my life.

23 – I’m grateful for the way these things feel a warm cup of coffee, my dog cuddled right next to my side, the sun on my skin, finishing a great book, compliments, finishing a really hard workout, and slipping into my bed after a long day.

While I can whine and complain that certain things in my life aren’t where I want them, when I really sit back and think about it, I lead a good life. There are so many things to be grateful for, little and big.

24 – Today I felt supported (by a person, the Universe, God) when all my decorating and organization ideas started coming to fruition.

I haven’t done all that much home decorating since moving into our apartment, well over a year ago. Our walls are pretty bare and it doesn’t exactly bug me, but I feel like I should make an effort to make our apartment homier. Plus, we have house guests flying into town on Wednesday and I’d like my room and bathroom to look somewhat put together. So I had a few ideas to organize my closet and redecorate my bathroom and get some stuff on my walls. I spent most of Sunday cleaning and decorating and organizing and it felt so good. At the end of it, I had yet another full trash bag of clothes, shoes, and random items to donate, as well as another full trash bag of just trash. My room has been stressing me out for a while now, so it feels good that it’s more put together and my new collection of photos above my bed is my favorite!

What is something you would never change about yourself?

Happy Friday! I’m back for round three of Gratitude in the Everyday. I am so enjoying these posts, even when I’m given a prompt that stumps me and makes me get creative about what in my life makes me feel whatever way it’s asking me about. I have an incredibly fun weekend planned – a few runs, a deep tissue massage, a pedicure, some shopping, and preparing for our house guests to arrive on Wednesday! And it all kicks off with a lovely Friday afternoon nap today. Ahh!

13 – I’m lucky that I’m smart enough to figure out how to solve the most basic of computer problems.

I’m not a computer whiz, but I am a quick study around computers, whether it’s figuring out why something isn’t working or how to do something online. One of my favorite things is when I’m given a new project using technology I’ve never used before or having to learn a new program because I genuinely love learning and figuring things out. And I pick things up really easily (usually, I either want to learn it on my own, or you can give me a quick lesson on how to use something and I’m good). I think growing up surrounded by computers helped!

14 – In this moment, the things I love most about my friends are their support, the way they just “get me,” and the way they make me smile.

I have built a steady network of friends throughout the past year. First, there is my best friend: my mom. She’s always been the one person I have in my corner, always believing in me and supporting me and calming me down when I need it. And more than that, I genuinely love being around her. We are similar people with similar interests and we have the best times together. We have tons of inside jokes and she’s my favorite travel companion and I feel the most like myself when I’m around her. I’ve always known that my mom loves me and thinks I am an awesome person, she’s always made me feel like she thinks I am incredible. You need people like that in your life.

Secondly, I’ve built strong friendships in the blogging community. I’m not going to list them all out but you guys know who you are. The ones who have let me vent and complain and share happy news and ask for boy advice. I wish every one of you lived closer to me.

And also, my tribe of local friends. My old coworkers, whom I still talk to. I miss chatting with them daily. My new coworkers who may not know me yet, but I am slowly getting there. And my book club girlfriends who are funny and awesome and smart and introverted and bookworms just like me. My life would not be the same without them.

I am so grateful for the friendships I have built and nurtured throughout the years, and I hope to continue to do so and strengthen the bonds I have made.

15 – I’m grateful that my hands can hold my pup’s warm, snuggly body.

I feel so grateful that Dutch is in my life. It was really a chance happening that brought him to me when my great-aunt decided she could no longer keep him. He was almost seven years old when we got him and he captured my heart from the instant I saw him. He was adorable and tiny and had a bright energy about him. And in the five years since, he has completely turned my world upside down. He’s my snuggly second half and I love how he loves me. It’s as if he decided we were best buds from the get-go and that was that. He’s attuned to me, my feelings, and always seems to know where I am.

He’s eleven now, so he’s not young, but nobody can believe us when we tell them his age. He’s still energetic and lively and has just a few gray hairs dotting the top of his head. I think the only thing telling of his age is his cloudy eyes, though he still sees pretty easily. (My nephew says he has “bad guy eyes.”)

I’m just grateful for him. For his love. For his presence. For the way he’s taught me to see the world.

16 – The prettiest thing I saw today was all the yummy desserts sitting in our break room, leftover from our work potluck yesterday!

I definitely had apple crumb cake and a brownie for breakfast yesterday. We had a wonderful potluck with so much delicious food (two kinds of meatballs, ham, cheesy taters, mac and cheese, quinoa salad, green beans, bacon-wrapped crackers, ziti, deviled eggs) and the best desserts (cheesecake, cookies, pumpkin cake, fruit, and, of course, my peppermint brownies that were a hit). We all ate very well. (And had leftovers for lunch on Thursday!)

17 – When I look into the mirror, I’m grateful for my pretty blue-green eyes.

I’m really not at the point in my life where I can look in the mirror and be happy with my reflection. It would be much easier to point out all the things I am not grateful for. But my eyes are my favorite feature. I think they are a gorgeous shade of blue-green that appears either greener or bluer depending on what I’m wearing. I’m also grateful for the invention of contacts so I can see without needing clunky glasses to do so!

18 – Three of my most prized possessions are my great-grandmother’s Bible with her notes, my Kindle, and my iPhone.

My great-grandma’s Bible is one I wrote about before and is a special part of my life. I am not one for things, or family heirlooms, or keeping possessions around because I am “supposed” to. I don’t like clutter, so unless I can say something has a use for me, I don’t mind giving it away or throwing it out. (It sounds terrible, I know, which is why everyone was shocked when I asked to have my Nanny’s Bible.) Aside from her Bible, I also really, really love my Kindle and my iPhone because they both bring me a lot of joy. My Kindle is precious to me and, as an avid reader, something I use almost daily. And my iPhone is yes, a phone, and a silly possession to treasure, but I do because it connects me to friends, family, and all the information I could ever need. So yes – two electronic devices are some of my prized possessions. WHAT OF IT?!

What are you most grateful for when you look into the mirror?

Happy Wednesday! Today, my work is throwing a Thanksgiving potluck and there is so much good food that we’re all probably going to be in a coma by the afternoon! Yum, yum!

I’m back with my second installment in my gratitude series. These questions are really great to make me think deeply about my life and the good things I get to experience.

7 – The strongest part of my body in this moment is my mind.

This is a hard question! I can’t honestly say any physical parts of my body are strong. Hopefully, this time next year, I can say something different, but I’m just not there yet. But my mind is quite strong. Oh, it can be a bit crazy at times. (Like the fact I worried almost the entire time of my girls’ cruise that Dutch had died. Wonderful, right?) But mainly, it is strong. My mind is what helps me at work, at life, when I’m with friends, with family, with strangers. My mind is never quiet, it’s always buzzing. It is creating plots and stories to tell. It is emoting inside what I can’t say or show on the outside. It is helping me to think deeply about my life and what I want. It’s helping me to form sentences and think of witty comebacks. The only way I can write, and have the career I do, is because of my mind.

8 – Even after a rough day, the things I’m most grateful for at work are funny coworkers, a great boss, and the ability to work at my own pace.

Honestly, rough days don’t happen here as much as they did at my old job. I’m only three months into the new gig, but just about every day is wonderful. (Or, at the very least, good.) I have awesome coworkers (even though I’m still waiting to find my work BFF!). Our crew is a young one, most of us in our mid-twenties to early thirties so that’s a fun difference from my last position. And the upper management team knows how to treat people well, in the sense of treating their employees like human beings and making sure they have all the tools they need to succeed.

My boss/editor is amazing. She has been such a great help as I settle in and learn this job. And the fact that she signs every email “Happy Friday Eve!” on Thursday makes me smile.

Also, I love working at my own pace. My boss isn’t looking over my shoulder or constantly questioning me. She gives me work and then leaves me be. I’m not one who likes asking questions, preferring to figure things out on my own (which is both good and bad), so I like that she doesn’t feel the need to micromanage me. This job is very self-paced, which is where I excel, so I’m happy to be in a place where I can do that.

9 – I’m grateful that my legs carry me on five-minute runs.

While it may not seem like a lot to some people, it feels major to me. You see, I really, really want to become a runner. I’ve been trying to become a runner for many years now. I don’t yearn for marathons or even half-marathons. I’d just like to be able to run 3 miles a few times a week. Maybe do a few 5Ks. But god, running is awful. I don’t really like it, yet I still have this want to become a runner. I finally realized run/walk intervals don’t work for me. What has been working for me is giving myself a time goal to shoot for. First, it was to run as long as I could before I felt like stopping. That was 1 minute, 45 seconds. Pitiful, but it was my starting point. And each run after that, I aimed to increase my time. Two minutes, two-and-a-half minutes, three minutes… so on and so on. Currently, I’m up to running for five minutes straight and looking to increase that with each subsequent run. It’s hard. It hurts. But… I kinda like it. Sure, this means building up to run a full 3 miles without stopping will take me a long, long time… but I’m finding myself much more excited about running by doing it this way. And that’s really all that matters, isn’t it?

10 – I felt a little burst of energy today when I had my 90-day review and it went wonderfully!

I’m writing this post on Tuesday and Tuesday marked three months in my new position. Three months! It went by in a flash. I also had my 90-day review and it went amazingly well. At my last job (is anyone sick of this phrase yet?), our reviews were intense and scary and always left me feeling a bit down on myself. Also, fun fact, at my one-year review, I was told one of my goals was to make no mistakes. MAKE. NO. MISTAKES. BECAUSE I AM A ROBOT. Sigh. But this review was very low-key and laid-back and easy. My editor is happy with my writing and my progress, and I am happy with the work I am doing, so it was all a big party of happiness. And I was given a raise, which I wasn’t expecting, so I’ll just be over here on cloud nine, thankyouverymuch.

11 – The best song I heard today was I Put A Spell on You by Jacquie Lee (from The Voice!).

It blows my mind that this girl is just sixteen years old. I am still upset that Preston isn’t on The Voice anymore, but Jacquie is my second favorite. She’s adorable, quirky, and the voice that comes out of her tiny body is insane. I downloaded the single on iTunes right after her performance, because I loved it so much.

12 – When I look inside my closet, I’m grateful for the much-loved shirts, perfectly-fitting slacks, and dresses that make me feel feminine and pretty.

I like to open my closet and complain loudly that I have nothing to wear. I think it’s the plight of the girl. Our closets are full, but we just want more. Lately, I’ve been feeling a need to update my wardrobe. I want to feel good in what I’m wearing and a lot of the clothes sitting in my closet don’t make me feel that way. I’ve taken to keeping a bag on hand for Goodwill donations for any time I wear a piece of clothing that doesn’t make me feel great. If something I wear doesn’t make me feel good, it goes straight into the bag. Even if I am overweight, I still deserve to feel good in what I’m wearing! So while there is a lot I don’t love about my closet, there are certain shirts that I wear on a constant rotation because I love the way they fit and the way they make me feel. I have a pair of slacks that I recently bought at Kohl’s that fit me in length and size (new rule: I cannot buy slacks unless they are specifically made for petites. Nothing else fits the way it should!) and make me feel wonderful when I put them on. And then there are the dresses that are fun and flirty and modest, perfect for work or a fancy dinner out.

So while I do eventually want to work on building a more loved closet, there are certain items that I am very grateful for, because of the way they make me feel.

What is the strongest part of your body? What are you most grateful for at work, even during the rough days?