This year marks my 30th Thanksgiving, and as I've been reflecting, there are many things I am thankful for:
I am thankful for my family. These people have worked to build a solid foundation by which I can live my life. While I have become such a different person than I was when I was growing up, I've been taught so many valuable life lessons. We've had our good days and bad, but I'm thankful that most days have been good, and that we can give each other the space and time we need to live our lives the way we do. I have parents who do everything out of love--and even on the days that it drives me crazy, I am forever grateful. My sister is one of the kindest, most patient people I know, and I am thankful that she can teach me so many things about becoming a better person. Coming home to Alaska always feels like coming home because I am welcomed with open arms by my family. I'm also grateful for my family that I don't get to see or talk to nearly as often--most everyone is full of love and support, no matter how much time passes. I am truly lucky that this is the family I was born into.
I am thankful for my dog. I still feel so fortunate that we found each other six years ago. She fills my heart with love and joy every single day, and my life would not be the same without her. She makes me feel at peace before bed, safe when we're out and about, and happy when we are together. She is so much more than and animal to me--she has supported me through the good times and the bad, and is the best friend a girl could ask for.
I am thankful for my friends. New or longer term--my friends are some of the best people I have ever known. Someone once told me that who we spend time with is reflective of who we are, so I've always tried to surround myself with incredible people who love and support me, love and support each other, are always pushing me to be the best version of myself, and always pushing themselves to be better. I will always do whatever I can to stay in touch, give back at least the same amount of energy that my friends put into our friendship, and support you in living your lives the best way you know how to.
I am thankful for my body. While it doesn't always look and act the way I want it to, I'm very thankful for my health and the strength my body hides within me. It never ceases to amaze me. I've always fallen on the "smaller" end of the spectrum, and have never been particularly athletic for most of my life. If I take a few minutes to think about where I am now, never in a million years did I think that I would be teaching fitness classes, rock climbing (I am terrified of heights!), doing head stands, and pushing my body to its fullest potential. It's not perfect, and that's okay. It doesn't have to be. It does more than I ever thought I could, and for that, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my brain. I may not be the smartest person alive, but I appreciate that I have the ability to learn new things every day of my life, and that I push myself to do so. I am fortunate to be well educated. I can learn from my mistakes of the past and move forward. My fears are slowly being overcome one at a time, and someday, there will come a day where the majority of them have been conquered.
I am thankful for my work. With MammothHR, not only do I get to do work that I love, I get to do it alongside some really incredible people, and get paid for it! I'm thankful that I found a career path I enjoy that allows me to constantly learn and grow every day. I am thankful that I found work that I am passionate about, and that I can give back to the community that has helped me get to where I am in my career.
I am thankful for all the little things in life. There are many daily luxuries that we take for granted every single day--electricity, the Internet, a variety of delicious and nutritious foods, potable water, clear air, above ground toilets--not everyone has access to these things on a regular or consistent basis, and I am thankful that I live in a place and have a life where I can truly appreciate the many conveniences that these luxuries provide.
I am thankful for music. Books and movies too, but mostly music. Music moves me to feel a wide range of emotions by connecting with me in a way that books and movies do not. Music brings people together, allowing us to share sound and movement (because many times with music comes dancing!) It's something I can do to meditate, relax, and find pure bliss.
And lastly, I am thankful to be alive. I wake up every morning knowing that life is not guaranteed, and that I'm given the same 24 hours each day as everyone else is, but it's up to me to decide how I spend that time. If at any time I am unhappy with my life, it is up to me to change it, and there are times when it's perfectly okay to be unhappy with how things are going. It's not always going to be puppies and rainbows, but I live a pretty wonderful life, and am very thankful for that fact.
I am thankful for my family. These people have worked to build a solid foundation by which I can live my life. While I have become such a different person than I was when I was growing up, I've been taught so many valuable life lessons. We've had our good days and bad, but I'm thankful that most days have been good, and that we can give each other the space and time we need to live our lives the way we do. I have parents who do everything out of love--and even on the days that it drives me crazy, I am forever grateful. My sister is one of the kindest, most patient people I know, and I am thankful that she can teach me so many things about becoming a better person. Coming home to Alaska always feels like coming home because I am welcomed with open arms by my family. I'm also grateful for my family that I don't get to see or talk to nearly as often--most everyone is full of love and support, no matter how much time passes. I am truly lucky that this is the family I was born into.
I am thankful for my dog. I still feel so fortunate that we found each other six years ago. She fills my heart with love and joy every single day, and my life would not be the same without her. She makes me feel at peace before bed, safe when we're out and about, and happy when we are together. She is so much more than and animal to me--she has supported me through the good times and the bad, and is the best friend a girl could ask for.
I am thankful for my friends. New or longer term--my friends are some of the best people I have ever known. Someone once told me that who we spend time with is reflective of who we are, so I've always tried to surround myself with incredible people who love and support me, love and support each other, are always pushing me to be the best version of myself, and always pushing themselves to be better. I will always do whatever I can to stay in touch, give back at least the same amount of energy that my friends put into our friendship, and support you in living your lives the best way you know how to.
I am thankful for my body. While it doesn't always look and act the way I want it to, I'm very thankful for my health and the strength my body hides within me. It never ceases to amaze me. I've always fallen on the "smaller" end of the spectrum, and have never been particularly athletic for most of my life. If I take a few minutes to think about where I am now, never in a million years did I think that I would be teaching fitness classes, rock climbing (I am terrified of heights!), doing head stands, and pushing my body to its fullest potential. It's not perfect, and that's okay. It doesn't have to be. It does more than I ever thought I could, and for that, I am thankful.
I am thankful for my brain. I may not be the smartest person alive, but I appreciate that I have the ability to learn new things every day of my life, and that I push myself to do so. I am fortunate to be well educated. I can learn from my mistakes of the past and move forward. My fears are slowly being overcome one at a time, and someday, there will come a day where the majority of them have been conquered.
I am thankful for my work. With MammothHR, not only do I get to do work that I love, I get to do it alongside some really incredible people, and get paid for it! I'm thankful that I found a career path I enjoy that allows me to constantly learn and grow every day. I am thankful that I found work that I am passionate about, and that I can give back to the community that has helped me get to where I am in my career.
I am thankful for all the little things in life. There are many daily luxuries that we take for granted every single day--electricity, the Internet, a variety of delicious and nutritious foods, potable water, clear air, above ground toilets--not everyone has access to these things on a regular or consistent basis, and I am thankful that I live in a place and have a life where I can truly appreciate the many conveniences that these luxuries provide.
I am thankful for music. Books and movies too, but mostly music. Music moves me to feel a wide range of emotions by connecting with me in a way that books and movies do not. Music brings people together, allowing us to share sound and movement (because many times with music comes dancing!) It's something I can do to meditate, relax, and find pure bliss.
And lastly, I am thankful to be alive. I wake up every morning knowing that life is not guaranteed, and that I'm given the same 24 hours each day as everyone else is, but it's up to me to decide how I spend that time. If at any time I am unhappy with my life, it is up to me to change it, and there are times when it's perfectly okay to be unhappy with how things are going. It's not always going to be puppies and rainbows, but I live a pretty wonderful life, and am very thankful for that fact.