Oprah told us all to start gratitude journals years ago, and I thought I would finally give it a try. Doing so should help to remember to focus on what I have, and not about whatever it is I think I need and want.
1. Duke: especially when he sleepily gets in bed with me and snuggles.
2. Best Friends: The kind that stay hopeful for me when I can't.
3. My mom: I never would have believed she would be my best friend when I was 15 years old.
4. My 7-11: I get my coffee there almost every morning, and it feels so familiar. It's like Cheers. But with coffee.
5. My sisters: They are the only people in this world who know exactly what it was like to grow up in my loving home as a child. They are a touchstone to my past.
6. Christmas lights: They brighten up the neighborhood and leave you feeling joyous
7. Holiday cards: Making someones Holiday card list makes me feel special. Getting the cards with the pictures of the kids and dogs and all the rest is awesome.
8. Old Pictures: Finding old pictures that you never saw before takes you back and leaves you smiling.
9. Facebook Finds: When someone from out of the blue finds you after 20 years, and they pretty much look the same, sound the same, etc.
10. JCrew Watch: An old school mans Timex watch that has different color wrist bands (pink, red, black, gray...)
11. Moleskins: There is nothing better than to stay organized with a Moleskin planner, or journal in your Moleskin journal, or write a to do list with your Moleskin tablet.
12. To Do lists: It feels so good to cross things off a to do list
13. Cool Whip Cookies: My mom's recipe was published in a local newspaper back in the 70's. Every single person is obsessed with these cookies. They are that good.
14. When friend of friends are awesome: Have you ever met your friend's friend, who is threatening, and then you realize that they are awesome enough to become your friend directly?
15. Helping a friend: Sometimes you can help a friend with a small gesture on your end, but it means a big deal to them.
16. Food Trucks: The fact that this is hip nowadays is hilarious to me. Good unique food is worth stalking Twitter for their locations.
17. Four day work weeks: Yesssssss!
18. Crossing something off your to-do list
19. Running into a friend
20. Seeing a friend while driving
21. A great sale
22. When Duke curls up next to me and lifts his head up to mine
23. When you laugh so hard your cheeks hurt
24. Seeing a favorite movie, and it's still good all over again (You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Love Actually, Bridget Jones, etc)
25. Laughing out loud while reading a book
26. Baby giggles
27. When you go in with low expectations and your expectations are blown out of the water
28. When I feel useful
29. When I force myself out of my comfort zone, and the results are awesome
30. My car right after a car wash
31. The nicknames my nieces and nephews have come up for me over the years, Na, Nina, Nona, KoIna, etc. Makes me feel special.
32. My house right after I finish cleaning it.
33. When my grandmother with Dementia has a good day and we share a laugh
34. Working with my dad is one of the best opportunities I've had in life to get to know how great a man he is.
35. When your DVR is smarter than you are, and records something automatically.
36. Cocoa Butter Lip Balm. I've been using it since my Aunt introduced it to me in the 6th grade. Love it!
37. Miracles. They happen all the time. They aren't just a twist of fate.
38. Laughing with my coworkers.
39. Uncontrollable giggles at inappropriate times.
40. Getting chastised for #39 by older people, even though I should know better. Makes me feel young!
41. Did I already mention new friends?
42. The fact that people CAN change. But they only do it for themselves.
43. Fireflies in the summer
44. Wildflowers on the side of a lonely stretch of road
45. Baby smiles
