Happy Thanksgiving + Gratitude List

pink chai livingHappy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers! Today is a day for gratitude and family dinners – it’s also my birthday. Yup, today I turn 35. I’ve shared before that I was having some age anxiety around this birthday, and I’ll be totally honest in saying that I had some serious relapses on my efforts at self-love this summer, but I’m at a really good place now. Thanks to some good friends, long honest conversations, and my amazing kids, I’m ready to take on the next 35 years of life! (Well maybe I’m not that ready, but I’m going to kill the next 365 days).pink chai livingToday I’m sharing with you, 10 things I’m thankful for this year. I’ve left my husband and kids off this list because I’m thankful for them every single day. I hope my list will inspire you to make a list of your own, because nothing feels as good as gratitude – not even birthday cake!

  1. My mom. This year more than ever, I’m thankful for my mom. Like all mothers and daughters our relationship has had ups and downs, but she has been my rock this year.
  2. Ria – the heroine in my in-the-works novel. It’s been a beautiful experience to “create” her with my pen.
  3. India. So much gratitude for that experience I don’t even know where to begin.
  4. My last conversation with my Bibi. I’ve struggled for months with the sudden loss of my grandmother, but today I’m feeling thankful for that last conversation, that last hug. I’m thankful that the Universe nudged me to visit her one last time before I left for my trip to India.
  5. Recognition of my work. So many times, in so many ways. I’m thankful that I don’t have to “suffer” for my art.
  6. Deep friendships. Conversations that move beyond the superficial, and friends that encourage your personal and spiritual growth – that is what my 30’s are about!
  7. My looks. This one is hard for me to write, but I also owe it to myself to say it. I’ve spent most of my adult life disliking the way I look, and being uncomfortable with the body my soul lives in. This year, I’m thankful for the face I have, because it’s a mix of genetics from all my favourite people. 
  8. Having a daughter. Of course I love both my kids, but without a daughter I don’t think I’d ever be able to write #7. Having a daughter forces me to set an example of self-love and I’m thankful to have that check point. 
  9. Poetry. From Waris Shah and Fazal Shah Sayad, to Liv Leang and Christopher Poindexter, this has been a year of poetic love.
  10. You. Yes you, that lovely human being that reads this blog. Every month when I look at the number of people that stop by to read what I write, I feel a moment of “really?”. Thank you for encouraging me to come back to this space.

What are you thankful for this year? I’d love for you to leave a comment and let me know!

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4 Comments

  1. October 12, 2015 / 8:28 am

    I love your list! To take time to be grateful for things is a great way to keep the spirit happy. And good on you for saying you are grateful for your looks – I am going to take note of that one for myself.

  2. October 12, 2015 / 11:01 am

    Love this post!! Being thankful and grateful is the best way to be happy 🙂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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