Thankful, Grateful, Happy!
What are you thankful for?
Thankful, Grateful, Happy - Fall - Minneapolis, MN
There are so many reasons to be thankful. Even on the bad days. We all have good days and in these past few years, some would say, they’ve had a lot of bad days. And that may be true however, when I think about all of the little things in life to be thankful for my list would include:
I’m alive.
I’m breathing.
I have all of my fingers and toes.
I can walk, jump and run.
I have a great career as a photographer & business owner.
I have met and worked with so many beautiful souls over the years who’ve allowed me to capture their stories of love, joy, laughter, & fun through photographs.
The fact that I get to wake up every single day and make the decision to have a great day.
My close friends.
Family
A warm and loving home.
Food in my cabinet and fridge.
And memories of family and friends who are no longer here however, there spirit continues to live on in my heart I am not only thankful for that,I’m grateful and that makes me happy!
Pumpkins, Eggnog & Pine Cones - Celebrate the season. - Minneapolis, MN
But, this time of year can be challenging for some as not everyone feels the same way or, is in the same situation as me and, that makes me sad. If I could, I would reach out to everyone that is hurting and give them a hug and let them know that they’re loved, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Even on the bad days, even on the days when they feel like they’re alone.
At this time of the year, we’re all thinking about where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished and what we want in the future. And Thanksgiving brings up some of those feelings. Especially as we’re preparing for family and friends to come over and share a delicious meal, talking and sharing our hopes and dreams as well as being thankful, grateful and happy!
Over the years, I’ve had time to think about my life, my career and my family. I also realize that to some, my life looks like it’s perfect but, it’s not. With social media, it’s easy to assume that everyone is just having the best time in there lives however, what you don’t see, is what’s going on behind the scenes. Or, you don’t see the hard work, late nights, busy schedules, along with the ups and downs of running a business. All that hard work that goes on behind the scenes helps to build the life and career that you see on social media giving them the privilege to enjoy the life that the worked so hard to build.
Celebrate the Season to be thankful - Pumpkins, Pine Cones - Minneapolis, MN
People ask me how do I stay happy or how do I get up everyday and continue to work so hard, even on the bad days. Well my answer is simple.
Gratitude.
Gratitude when I don’t feel like getting up to work and I don’t feel like doing anything at all. Gratitude when it seems like the universe is out to get me or, nothing seems to be going right. No, everyday is not full of sunshine and roses but, being grateful for where I am, at that moment, always brings me back to life.
And this is going to sound a little woo but, when I think about the people that are in my life ( friends, family, my mentors, coaches , my beautiful clients ( past, present and future ) that is what keeps me going, what keeps me grounded, grateful, thankful and happy. And as long as I have that, I have something to be grateful about every single day.
“Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness and gratitude.”
Fall Leaves - Loring Park - Minneapolis, MN
So, my hope for you is that, as your getting together with friends and family at Thanksgiving, you take a moment to think about how grateful you’re to have the love of your friends and family around you ( even if some of them get on your nerves sometimes, because, that happens ) that you’ll see that gratitude leads to happiness and something to be thankful for!
Happy Thanksgiving!