Today I Celebrate Myself with a Dose of Gratitude
Happy Birthday, Crystal!!!
Wow! It is another year and you have survived! As I write this I laugh to myself because It has been a year. One that has truly taught me many lessons. However, I think the greatest of lessons I have learned is just being grateful. When I thought of a new post for the week, so many topics came to mind. I always seem to be inspired by both the simplicity and complexity of life. So when the simple question, "What will you do for your birthday?" was asked and I clearly had no answer, a new post was clear.
DO SOMETHING FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!
For the most part, I rarely celebrate my birthday in a lavish way. The three parties I have had were planned for me; I have a difficult time celebrating my life. It's as though I feel like I am being a showoff or I am not worthy to be excited, happy or just down right proud of myself. I’m not sure where it stems from, but it is something that needs to be worked on. So this year, let’s celebrate my birthday!
BUT How?
I thought long and hard of the best way to capture my 42nd year of life. It dawned on me the best celebration was all those things that made me happy. From the smallest of things in life to the biggest. I appreciate each and every one of those moments because they shaped this year into one I am today. So for my birthday, I celebrate with a little dose of gratitude.
By Showing gratitude!
Every night I have a ritual of writing down at least something I am grateful for. When I took a moment to just read through the last couple of months, it became an overwhelming feeling of joy for life. MY LIFE! I am 42 years old and I should be so proud of so many things. Looking at the journal allowed me to see that life is wonderful. The following list is the 42 things I am just grateful of. They are not listed in any particular order. Some of them may seem silly, and it's ok. Lesson learned: Find the joy in every day. I am blessed to turning the new pages of life. Some chapters have closed while others began. But the book is still a work in progress and yet to be published.
42 things I am grateful for
1. Quiet Mornings
2. Prayer
3. Listening to my boys' laughter in another room
4. Spending moments in target and finding just the right chairs for dining space
5. Spending quality time with my love
6. Elements of a woman was available as a domain name
7. Finding comedy in my classroom
8. When a lesson in heredity goes just as plan (put a lot of effort in planning)
9. When you are surprised with your first bottle of Chanel No. 5
10. Getting a massage when needed the most
11. When you are running late for work and there is absolutely no traffic
12. The perfect latte
13. Watching both my high school boys play on the same team
14. When you just need to snuggle
15. Excited about getting a stipend within your pay cycle!!! (Unexpected income Woo Whoo)
16. Movie Hidden Figures during school trip- Teachable Moments
17. Hearing 2 of your favorite songs back to back- I was here by Beyonce' and Wait til they see my smile by Alicia Keyes
18. Cooked the best chicken ever
19. TD Jakes Sermon - Focus
20. New haircut
21. Cuban Pete's Garlic Flounder- LOVE IT
22. Getting in my sons' sold out game
23. Completing my about page for Elements of a Woman- One of the most difficult things I had to write
24. Not having a terrible flare up in 3 months
25. Snow day
26. Snowboarding for my sister's birthday- Getting down the hill
27. Waking up in love
28. Yellow Flowers
29. Laying in my comfy bed
30. Power returning
31. Watched my youngest son play in tournament and won championship
32. Being able to see my oldest son go to PROM
33. 70 degrees in February
34. Great conversation with dad
35. Photo shot for Elements of a Woman
36. My oldest son graduates
37. When you are blessed with an exciting leadership position
38. Watching your vision board come to life
39. Getting out of work early- Teacher appreciation week
40. Not seeing one rainbow but two
41. TGIF!!!
42. Morning laughs with my mother
Til we meet again next week
Crystal
