Gratitude

Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be genuine. But most of all, be grateful.

Gratitude is a skill I try to practice + cultivate on a daily basis. In this day and age of Instagram, Facebook, Youtube + whatever else, it’s not hard to get caught up in our daydreams + think about all the things we’re lacking + dwell of them. We start to lose sight of what we have + get down about ourselves, our jobs, our relationships, etc. It’s important to catch myself when I’m beginning to feel those negative thoughts because it’s so easy to go in a downward spiral. I try to combat this way of thinking by spending time with myself, turning off any distractions + either making a mental or physical list of what I feel grateful for + actually say “thank you” to them. Thank the people in your life that bring you love + support, thank the little home that keeps you safe + warm at night, thank the car that allows you to get from point A to B with ease, thank the limbs on your body that make it unbelievably easier to eat, walk + write, thank your eyes that let you see the colorful world around you + the ears that allow you to hear the sounds of birds chirping + firewood cracking. Be grateful for the big things + be especially grateful for the little blessings in life that make a huge difference. I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but this change in perspective allows room in our hearts to receive more than we could ever dream of.

For Thanksgiving this past year, Brady and I flew to Minnesota to celebrate the holiday with his family. We were lucky enough to escape the craziness of the city for a whole week to slow down in rural Slayton, Minnesota. The moment we arrived in his hometown of a little over 2,000 people, I instantly felt a rush of gratitude inside of me. Half the time we were there, I didn’t get a single bar of cell service. I’ll admit, at first I felt a bit restless. I didn’t realize how much I unlocked my phone to check my email or social media but after a while, it felt liberating to not have any connection to the outside world. It made me more present + it got me thinking about all the sweet goodness in my life to be thankful for.

I’m thankful for Brady, my sweet man. I never thought I would find someone that could match me so perfectly, who accepts my flaws + loves me for who I am until I met him. Not only is he the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on but he is also the most genuine, loving, goofy, smart (not as smart as me though), patient + kind human I’ve ever met. I’m so grateful that he’s the first thing I see when I wake up every morning + he’s the person I get to nuzzle up to every night. He is my constant + the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me.

I’m thankful for my mom. I don’t know if it’s a girl thing or a me thing but the relationship I have with my mom is completely different from when I was younger. I use to avoid talking to my mom about anything personal + now we talk almost every single day, about everything. One of the best things about our relationship is that we tell each other the ugly truth. She’s my best friend + I know I can count on her no matter what. It’s funny because as I get older, I become more + more similar to her but to be honest, I don’t know if I’ll ever be as strong or as zealous as her + that’s okay.

I’m thankful for my one + only brother, Paul. There is something special about having siblings. You both have grown up in the same household + have experienced some of the same things growing up together. He was such a punk to me when I was little + would make me cry like most brothers do but I’d always get him in trouble. Sorry, Paul! But in all seriousness, him and I are the only ones that understand the hardships we had to endure when we were younger but also the wonderful moments of bliss + innocence, so I’m grateful that he was the one I got to experience both with.

I’m thankful for my friends, old + new. You know who you are. These are the people that not only keep me sane but inspire me to be an overall better human. Sometimes friendships can be tricky. Life gets busy, schedules get booked, + suddenly you don’t see your friends as often as you wish you did. The important thing is that we make an effort to get together + when we do, it’s like no time has passed at all. You pick up where you left off. To all my close friends, I want you to know that your friendship means more to me than they’ll ever know.

I’m thankful for the work I have. No, I didn’t expect to be a nanny after I graduated from college but you know what? I’m okay with that. My job has given me the opportunity to not only make some seriously good money but also witness + be a part of the development of a teeny tiny human being + I think that’s pretty neat. This little boy has stolen my heart + to top it off, his parents aka my bosses are some of the best people I know. It has also given me the chance to start this blog which I’ve been wanting to do for so long but always felt unmotivated to start because my energy was sucked out of me from jobs I hated. So I feel so blessed that I now have the motivation + drive to do something for myself.

I’m thankful for my dad. This one is tough for me because him + I are not as close as we once were. Time + distance has separated us + made us grow apart. But even though he’s not completely present in my life, I still thank him because there’s a lot of him in me. The creative, stubborn as hell, + passionate qualities in me are all owed to him. You probably won’t ever read this but I just needed to say thank you, Pa.

This list could literally go on + on but I’m sure you don’t have time for that + I know I don’t have time for that. Therefore, the rest will remain in my heart. I know this is a more sentimental post but I enjoy writing + talking about these topics so thank you to those that have read up to this point.

If you’re searching for a way to practice your gratitude, try keeping a gratitude journal. Keep it next to your bedside or in your purse + when you wake up or before you go to bed, jot down 3 things you are grateful for. Don’t be choosy. It can be as simple as “I’m grateful to have a dog that gives me wet kisses when I’ve had a bad day.” When you shift your perspective from what you believe you’re “lacking” to one that appreciates all that you have, you start to attract more abundance + joy into your life than you ever thought could be possible.

Love + light,

Cris