This really isn't my style, but what the hay...
I once was told that I ought to be more thankful for who I am and what I have, and maybe then I wouldn't be so crabby. My level of crabbiness is beside the point, but I really am thankful for how my life has progressed. Despite the few hardships that I have encountered in my 27 years, I have been and am quite fortunate and need to recognize it more.
I might be nit-picky about my 9 to 5, but there are plenty of folks out there who don't have a 9 to 5 to nit-pick about! It seems as though I am always looking for a way out of the business, but an opportunity bigger than I have imagined will come to me eventually through desire and diligence, and I look forward to that day. But for now, I ought not be so nit-picky.
Nobody is perfect, especially not me. Which is why I am most thankful to be marrying the man that best compliments me and makes me want to strive for excellence. He gives me the encouragement I need when I want to give up on things, and he is my daily inspiration to better myself in any way I can. I used to think of all things in such a negative light, but because I have this incredible person to go through life with, I am able to be more optimistic. Nobody is perfect, but the one who actually gets through to me might be pretty close to it!
My fiancé and I agree that the best gifts to give and receive are not material items, but rather experiences. I am thankful for the time that I get to spend with my dad and my siblings on a daily basis. I know, I do gripe about each of them from time to time, but I should count my lucky stars that I get to interact with them regularly. Most people aren't so lucky! Outings with my girls give me something to look forward to. Though they are not as frequent as they used to be, these outings are always time well spent, no matter what we do. I am thankful that I continue to have a great group of friends who I can count on for tons of laughs!
Then there's the dog. (This one's for you, Belly)! They say that a dog is a man's best friend. I get that. I never understood people's utter and over the top infatuation with their pets until I decided to get a puppy almost 5 years ago. Although he's small and makes big stinky messes, Ozzie is such a sweet part of my life, corny as it sounds. He is always happy to see me (no matter how crabby I am) and is there to provide a shoulder to cry on, if needed, no questions asked. I am thankful for Ozzie all the things I have learned about dogs in the past 5 years. I credit him for enhancing my interest in animals, and I feel fulfilled in the pet department knowing that I can actually provide a loving home for an animal that might not otherwise have one.
I am sure I could come up with a million material things to be thankful for, but when it comes down to it, none of those matter when you've got the staples!
Now go count your lucky stars...
