Ever since the beginning of the new year, and even a little bit before then, I have been constantly thinking about how incredibly lucky I am. Actually, I've also been thinking about how the people around me should be just as grateful as I am. If you really take a moment, pause, and reflect on all the GOOD things going on in your life, you will really be astonished at all the things you should not be taking for granted.
I want to compile a list of the things I am currently grateful for, this list is certainly not everything in my life.. but it's just what I've been thinking about mostly lately. So.. here it goes...
1. FAMILY. I feel like for most people, this should be a number one priority. I say most because I know many people who's family situations are far from perfect. Mine, on the other hand, is more than perfect. Yes, there have been (and there continue to be) fights between every member of each household in my family... but at the end of the day I have to think, would I rather be so completely alone that I have NOBODY to fight with? Or would I rather be completely surrounded by family who I usually get along with, but argue with from time to time? I'll take the latter.
It's a great feeling knowing that I have so many people to lean on and to laugh with. Really, I don't tell them all (and there are MANY of them) often enough how much they really mean to me.
2. My siblings... which goes hand in hand with appreciating number 1.. but I definitely feel the need to speak up about this one since this is a very emotional subject for me. I would do just about ANYTHING for my siblings.. I love them more than I can even explain. For example, the other night after going to the gym and having dinner with some friends, I came home and went upstairs to give my 3 y/o brother a kiss goodnight. Well, my brother then asked me if I wanted to sleep with him... I mean, how can I say no? He and I stayed up a little bit chit chatting, playing with his Wolverine action figure, and looking through the Victoria's Secret magazine (okay maybe that was just me), and eventually passed out. If you have never had an experience like that then I can honestly say you are missing out. Same thing goes with my 3 y/o sister and 5 y/o brother... I absolutely melt when I hang out with them. Honestly, I'd rather spend a Friday or Saturday night playing Wii with them than going out spending money and getting hammered. I'm so happy my parents decided to have more children... I am truly, TRULY blessed.
3. And who isn't grateful for good friends? I mean seriously, I can't be the only one who has had multiple, MULTIPLE "best friends". You know.. those friendships that are "strong" but then only last about 9 months to a year until one or the other becomes fed up with the other or breaks a promise/tells a secret. I've had way too many of those and have quickly learned to be extremely careful about who I let into my circle. I really don't have any time for heartache from a friend... I've done it too much, and now I can look around at my group of friends and know who are the real ones and who are not. Which makes me appreciate them even more. Honestly, I can say I only have two girlfriends who I will do just about anything for... and each of our friendships have been tested and pushed to the limits several times, and here we are today - still best friends. I can't wait to someday see these girls at my wedding :) As for the rest of the people out there that have "done me wrong", I'm even MORE grateful that they are NOT a part of my life anymore.
4. This is a new one... and I've only been truly appreciative of this person for the last few weeks or month since he came into my life.. but now that he is apart of my life, I never want him to go away. Of course with every new relationship the girl feels this way.. all part of that "love and infatuation game"... well, I really think this is something different. I've never felt THIS way with any other man before. He does and says every single thing I've wished all my ex boyfriends would do or say. All of those times my previous boyfriend's would say, "Kristen you're being ridiculous", or "You're asking for way too much", even.. "NO man acts that way". Well, he DOES exist.. because I found him. I've never been happier, and I hope this feeling lasts. He is a very special person, and really makes me believe in, "everything happens for a reason" :)
5. I also want to explain my being thankful for my friends and family's health. Recently I found out a good friend of my family's has cancer... she is in her 30's and has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Brain Cancer. If you don't know, Stage 4 is the last. How could this have happened to her? Especially since she is SERIOUSLY such a positive and fun person. Literally, her laugh is contagious. Why her? Why ANYONE for that matter? I get so sad when I think about illnesses like those…
Even thinking about my step-dad and his survival of testicular cancer… and then my grandmother and her two open-heart surgeries, and the fact that my mom could have the same issue my grandmother had. Of course then there is breast cancer, I mean, nowadays it seems as though you have to be pretty damn lucky to escape having breast cancer. I feel like half of the women I know have had it/are battling.
We all live our lives day to day complaining about the same old stupid stuff never remembering that these insignificant trials will one day mean nothing in comparison to our battles for survival.
...On a brighter note.. I am also thankful for having the sense to get a Gold’s membership. I have never been overweight by any means, I am actually a petite girl (which I am thankful for haha), but I am also extremely hard on myself, and I recognize this. If I start to look a little chunky in any part of my body I begin to freak out hardcore; Well, after the holidays this past year (Um hello Debbie’s Mac & cheese, and mom’s pumpkin cheesecake?!), I was definitely becoming obsessed with my looks. Well I’ve had my membership for about a month now, and I can definitely see some improvements. I’m not necessarily trying to lose weight, I’m really just trying to tone. I’m beginning to feel muscles in places I haven’t felt since high school, and my stamina is WAY up.. all of those Zumba classes are treating me well I guess! I’m really looking forward to wearing a sexy bikini this Summer and actually FEELING sexy!
Oh yes, and how can I forget? Today is FRIDAY, and I am ecstatic about this! It’s only the AM, so plans may change .. but for now, work of course, tanning, gym, then showering and getting ready for a night out with Derek, his friends, and hopefully Laura will tag along :-) Not sure where we will end up tonight, all I know is is that I am in the mood to DANCE, and to hang out with my man who I haven't seen since Sunday (UGH!).
Happy Friday everyone, keep your heads up :)
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