Thanksgiving is hands-down my favorite holiday. There’s cooking and feasting, two of my favorite activities. But there is also togetherness. I hope all of you are with people you love today – family of origin or family of choice.

I decided to kick off my day with a gratitude list; written by hand and copied below:

Today I am grateful.

Grateful I have a safe home in a place where I enjoy living.

Grateful I have a Higher Power (HP) who loves me and guides me.

Grateful I have two sweet kitties that I love very much.

Grateful to be in a loving relationship that is helping me to grow.

Grateful I have a job I enjoy with good pay and a fantastic boss.

Grateful for the travel that has taken me to see the world.

Grateful for my intelligence and creativity.

Grateful that I see my value as a whole person – not just in “good qualities.”

Grateful for clean, hot, running water, reliable power, and an internet connection.

Grateful for my strong, healthy body and the willingness to take care of it.

Grateful for the bravery of those who are willing to live with emotional courage.

Grateful for what has been given, what has been taken away, and what has been left behind.

Grateful for the willingness to take down my own walls.

Grateful for my friendships and the dear people I’ll see this weekend.

Grateful for the time to write this.

Grateful for a long break from work and routine.

Grateful for the life I’ve created for myself, free from the self-induced pain and misery that I used to always carry.

Grateful for the knowledge that pain is temporary and suffering is a choice.

Grateful for a desire to live in acceptance and love vs. the self-hatred of “should.”

Grateful to know there is nothing I can’t handle with HP by my side.

Grateful to feel love growing and emerging within me.

Grateful that our travel was safe and we are home.

Grateful for my big American coffee maker and hair dryer 🙂

Grateful for the willingness to grow and change.

Grateful for the ability to steer clear of toxic people and situations.

Grateful that I can now allow others to feel their own pain and knowing I don’t have to take it on for myself.

Grateful that I can allow others their joy without envy or comparison.

Grateful for the willingness to listen for HP’s loving guidance.

Grateful for a life free from fear and free from want.

Grateful that I am exactly where I am intended to be.