What does it mean to be thankful? Being thankful is an expression of gratitude for the blessings in your life. Sometimes for the non-blessings too. Non-blessings are sometimes just a disguise of a lesson to be learned. Either case, as I prepare to spend time with my family and friends, feed my tummy with deliciousness, and watch some football I will be thinking of all that I am thankful for this year. Here’s what I’m thankful for…

  • Rekindling my faith in a God that no matter what happens, I know He’ll never give me more than what I can handle. And when I think I can’t handle it, He’s right there. He continues to bless me with all that I hope and dream when I least deserve it.
  • My husband. He continues to show me true love. We’ve had our ups and a lot of downs this year, but he has continued to show me that the unlovable can be loved. Through our mistakes we seem to still find each other.
  • My mom. She never judges and just wants me happy. She has been my biggest cheerleader always cheering me on with every turn I take in my life – and I take a lot.
  • My friends. I don’t make a lot of friends. I pick and choose because I have trust issues. But, those who break my walls become very dear to me. When things got rough this year I could always count on them to pick me up. And they can count on me as well.
  • My blog and my readers. I can’t believe I have so much to say. I’m sure those who actually know me just scoffed at that sentence. I’m still humbled that people still read what I have to say. I’m humbled that I have people who follow me. Thank you loves.
  • The river and the ocean. The river for allowing me the time to find me while the ocean was to far away. And my beautiful ocean. For allows welcoming me back with open arms.

Being thankful comes with a lot of lessons. This year alone I’ve learned how to find my voice and to be open about how I felt things were going with my store and company. I learned the importance of family an a balance on work and life. I learned how to compromise without giving up who I am. I found that my passion makes up who I am and that I shouldn’t allow anyone to make me feel that’s wrong. I learned the importance of love and forgiveness. I learned the importance of honor and respect.

I’m thankful for this year – as hard as it was – because it has made me stronger, it has righted my relationship with God and my husband and centered me. I am thankful for this year because I get to look back at it and know the reason I am who I am today is because of the people and things that helped shape my life in 2015.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays to you and yours. What are you thankful for?