Post-Thanksgiving Post

These past few weeks I have felt like an emotional zombie. While I do lead a happy and fulfilling life, I believe I have recently forgotten how much I really do have in my life - how much good  surrounds me, so I made a list of things I am truly grateful for to stop focusing on the bad.

1. My Roommates  - I have wonderful caring and amazing roommates. They are some of my favorite people. We get along so well and have such a fun time together. They even put up with my craziness.
2. My Job - While I don't hate my job, it's no secret that I don't love it, but I am grateful for the stability it provides. They try hard to make it a good place to work, and most often succeed.
3. Kindness - Simple enough. I am grateful for kind people in my life.
4. Honesty - I am grateful when people are open, honest, and sincere with me. When you realize someone has lied to you the pain that it causes is 10 times worse than the honest truth. I am a grown woman, it may hurt at first, but I can handle the truth. I've learned this lesson over the past several months. If you say it, mean it.
5. Family - I have an amazing supportive family. A family that truly loves me and frequently tell me they love me. 
6. Grey's Anatomy - in the past couple weeks I have become completely addicted to this show. It has the drama, the handsome men, is completely trashy and next time I am eating dinner at a restaurant and somebody yells, "Is anyone in here a doctor?" I might be tempted to yell back, "No, but I watch Grey's Anatomy and that is kind of the same thing!" Plus, they have some amazing monologues. They are emotional, funny and often close to life.

7. Looking back on life with no regrets. I have made plenty of mistakes in my life but instead of regretting the poor choices I made, I have chosen to take those experiences and learn and grow from them. This requires changing myself and humility, but through this process I realize my weaknesses and try to turn them into strengths. I am grateful for the opportunity to change.
8. Vulnerability - I am grateful that in the past few months I have learned a valuable lesson in the power of vulnerability. There are few guarantees in life, but when we learn to make ourselves vulnerable, we can experience true emotion. Watch this TEDtalk. It's too good to pass up.

9. Seeing someone for who they really are. I am grateful for those moments when you finally see who someone is under their skin, whether good or bad, it's always refreshing to finally really know someone.
10. Christmas - I love the Christmas season. It gives me an opportunity to remember and focus on the birth and life of Christ and that through Him, I have the opportunity to repent and change my life. I love the decorations (our family room is so magical right now). I love the songs and hymns, the gift giving (and the receiving), and the time I get to spend with my family. Everything about the season is romantic and wonderful.
11. Exercise -I've mentioned how grateful I am that I found exercise a few years ago. When I am frequently exercising, I find that I am happier, and feel emotionally and physically stronger.