Top Ten Tuesday, as always, is hosted at my other blog — The Broke & the Bookish
This week’s topic: Top Ten Things I’m Thankful For
I’m always down for some gratitude. I typically try to keep a mini journal to practice gratitude — especially this year when I’ve done a lot of complaining and have been feeling like my situation was kind of bleak. I’ve found it’s important to tell myself that, even when everything (and this year I mean everything) feels like it is falling apart, there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. Always and I don’t care what anyone says. There are some days that are harder to be thankful for others but forcing myself seems to work. Some of my answers seem like the obvious answers but I mean it with my soul.
I can’t be thankful enough for Will. Besides my sister, Will is the only person who sees the very raw bad and good parts of me and still loves me. I am no picnic. He spoils me, supports me and loves me. We are not perfect — he and I– but I’m just thankful that we can always work through things and love each other despite how imperfect we are. This last year has obviously been hard with me not working and I’m just so thankful for how hard he works and for how finances have not put a wedge between us.
I am getting all teary eyed about this one but when Genevieve was born 2 years ago it was the best day of my life. I love her and new baby Adela with my whole soul. My sister and I weren’t in a great place in our relationship but the minute she told me she was pregnant it changed everything and we went back to being best friends. I am so, so thankful for Genevieve being born because of that and this journey of being an aunt to she and Adela has been the best thing ever. Being an aunt has changed my life in ways I can’t even begin to tell you. There’s something that changes in your heart with being an auntie to little ones. Those smiles or little voices can just make your heart warm on a crappy day.
I’m very thankful for my health and it’s something I think I take foregranted all the time. I complain about having to walk far at a crowded store or for having to exercise but at least I can do that? Some people would wish they could do that. I’ve also seen the way your health can fail you personally. The way your mom can just have a cancer attack her brain or the way your father in law’s body just starts to melt away because of ALS. I’m thankful that, as of right now, I’m not dealing with these things because one day my health could not be such a sure thing like I think it is right now.
I’ve had such a super supportive family always. I’ve appreciated them more as I’m older and recognize the sacrifices they’ve made. I’m super thankful I’m close with my sister again because she’s my best friend. Just very thankful to have family like this!
This year I’ve been so complain-y with being unemployed. We can’t do this. We can’t buy that. We had to cut this or that out. We almost can’t pay rent. Lots of crappy things happened. And while those things are really HARD. Truly, we have been struggling but I realize how much better we do have compared to 80% of the people in this world. I have food always. We have a roof over our head with heat. My car might keep breaking but we have Will’s too. We have running water. We have things like cell phones and computers and we eat out on occasion. We could cut some things or sell some things if things got worse for us. We have options. Even at our worst we are in a much better situation than a lot of the world and that’s something I’m very thankful for — that most of my problems are first world problems. It doesn’t belittle the things I’m going through but it puts them in perspective.
I’m thankful for this blog because it’s brought some amazing people into my life and has really been an amazing thing to focus on while I’ve been unemployed — something to keep my mind fresh and creative. This blog has changed my life in a lot of great ways and I’m thankful for all the amazing people I’ve met. I’m thankful I have a place on the internet that I truly feel like is my own and readers that are amazing. I’m just very, very thankful for this blog for many reasons. This blog has made reading, a solitary hobby, into a very, very social and interactive one for me and I love it.
I’m thankful for my reading history — that I can read and that I had parents who took me to the library, bought me books and always were supportive of how much I loved to read. I’m happy that even though I stopped reading for a while that I came back. Books can change lives and they have done that for mine. I’m just so thankful for those books that change something in me or make me feel less alone.
Giving second chances and receiving second chances. I’m thankful for these opportunities to try again. We don’t always get them so I’m thankful when I do.
Words have power and I’m just so thankful that authors write bold, important things no matter how many times people try to ban them. These stories are important and they need to be told and I’m thankful for the authors who speak loudly about these things. They dare to push the limits. I’m thankful for authors who break down boundaries and challenge societal norms.
Every day is an adventure. There’s always little things that can pick me up and I’m thankful for those things in the midst of the gloom. Sunshine, unexpected beauty, bellyaching laughs, a soul stirring song, the kindness of a stranger. I’m thankful for it all.
So tell me…what are you most thankful for this year?
Vale says
Since I made my thankful list book related, I’ll use this space to say I’m thankful for my semester of college almost being over (it’s been so stressful), I’m thankful for all I learned (college and personal related)… sometimes bad things happen and at first we don’t get the ‘why’ but once we do is wonderful. I’m also thankful for my family and friends and awesome book bloggers like you!!
Loved your list 🙂
Mary says
Such wonderful things to be thankful for. I definitely agree with being an auntie. I also have a newborn niece, and I love having her around to snuggle with, but I’m also excited to have the opportunity to see my 4 year old twin nieces and 2 year old nephew this week. It’s been a while since I saw them because we live pretty far apart. I expect lots of hijinks!
Alexia @ Adventures in Reading says
I totally spaced out on this so I’ll have to write the post up tomorrow. But anyway, my thankfuls are simple.
1. My mom. She’s always in my corner no matter what. Supporting me. Loving me. I cannot ask for much more from her.
2. My health. I have serious health problems. I’ve never been shy about them.This year my health has been pretty good. Not amazing, but pretty good.
3. My younger half sisters & half brother. Things are still awkward with them as I have chosen to have no contact with our dad. However since they have had kids in the past 3 years, I have really worked on establishing a relationship with them.
4. My extended family on my mom’s side. It’s small and we do fight on occasion but we have never held a grudge.
5. Bloggers. I just started this crazy ride in April and I cannot believe the awesome people that I have met through blogging. I am so thankful for that.
I’m sure I’ll come up with more tomorrow but off the top of my head, this was what I came up with.
Tanya Patrice says
I especially love the last point because sometimes we take the everyday things for granted!
Wendy @ Wensend says
Great list Jamie! I can really read all this appreciation in everything you write. You seem so genuine, which I love! Not only in reviews, but also in your personal posts. Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts. We love reading them. 😉
Jennifer aka YA Book Nerd says
Love your list! I’m an auntie too and love it – it’s amazing 🙂
Anna says
Love this list. I’m thankful for YOU! xo
Andi says
You and your husband are so adorable! That pictures is great. And don’t even get me started on your nieces. They are the cutest things ever!
Katrina @ Bookish Things says
You’re list made me tear up. This time of year really puts things into perspective. Your nieces are adorable. I think sometimes it’s easy to take a lot of things for granted.
Maura says
Wonderful list, Jamie! (: We really do take a lot for granted. /: Your nieces are absolutely adorable! (: I loved having my niece and nephews to myself growing up. My brother and sister are 15 and 9 years older than me. They’re such blessings. It’s even better to spoil them rotten then send them home to mama and daddy. Not so fun when you’re on the receiving end as a parent lol. I’m thankful for health this year too, but forgot to put it on my list. Someone dear to me in my family was recently diagnosed with leukemia. We’ve been struggling with it. Hope your job prospects pick up soon! (: Hope you all have a great holiday season! <3
Ginger @ GReads! says
This is such a great list, Jamie. You have a lot to be thankful for! I agree that being an Auntie is one of the best things in the world. I’m very thankful for discovering this community and how the beauty of literature brought YOU into my life, xoxo. Happy Thanksgiving Jamie!
Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
There are so many things I take for granted on a daily basis. Like my health. I forgot to put that on my list. There are so many people who don’t have that and I’m truly grateful that I’m healthy and able to get up and move (even if I despise exercising).
I really hope that your job prospects pick up. I know you’ll find something soon! 🙂
P.S. Your nieces are so stinking cute. Genevieve’s curly hair. I die.
Kaley @ Books Etc says
SUCH a great list, Jamie! I hear ya on a lot of those points – especially the first world problems and the blog. Those are the things I try and focus on when I get bummed about being unemployed. Thanks for sharing!
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea says
Such a beautiful post Jamie! I always look forward to what you’re going to do next. I know you’ve struggled a lot with the blog this year, but you are a really inspiring person and blogger. Just know that 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving!
Here’s my TTT.
And if you have time, check out my giveaways! 200 Books Giveaway | Gratitude Giveaway Hop
Doris says
Amazing list! I forgot to include my family/dogs on my list because I was too busy fangirling over a certain TV show that I’m thankful for and now I feel silly!
OUR TTT
Doris @ OABR
Jess Michaelangelo says
I love this list 🙂 I’m thankful for you! To have such bookish friends is always a thing I’m grateful for.
estelle says
Happy Thanksgiving, lovely!
I wish we could all be like Kid President and share how grateful we are all the time, but alas, not always possible. So happy to take this time and be extra aware though. So many things on our list mirrors my own, and I know we are both very lucky people.
Here’s hoping you have a wonderful holiday with your family and that 2014 is the beginning of some fantastic things. xo
Dana (Little Lovely Books) says
Awww, your list made me misty eyes. So sweet and so true…there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for – we just sometimes forget that. Oh, and I love your banners. Super cute!
Giselle @ Book Nerd Canada says
What a perfect list Jamie! It’s so true that we have problems that only turn out to be “first world problems.” But in a way they’re still there for us to overcome. I’m also thankful for my health and it’s not fun having cancer in the family and watching it eat away their lifeline. reading your list puts a lot of things into perspective because you’re right. Even the little things count in the end.
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Giselle from BO-OK NERD CANADA
Top Ten Tuesday
katy says
I love your list! Getting to be an aunt is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me, and my nieces make my life so much better in so many ways! I’m thankful for many of my problems being first world problems, too. They can be really frustrating, but when it comes down to it, it’s nice to know the major things are taken care of. Second chances are such a lovely thing! Such a great list, thanks for sharing!
Sarah K says
I’m thankful for being blessed with parents, and grandparents, who love and support me. I’m thankful that my brother and his girlfriend include me in their plans from time to time now that I don’t have many friends in town. I’m thankful for the music that I can rely on and books that I can live through. I’m thankful for friends, who despite the miles between us, we still remain close. Wonderful post!
Marie says
What a beautiful post about so many different things to be thankful for! I can really tell you mean these things, and you bring up some really good points. You’ve made my day a little brighter =)
Molli says
Unsurprisingly I adore this list! It’s always a good thing when we can take a step back and count our blessings. 🙂
Reviews From A Bookworm says
Wow such a beautiful list and so many wonderful things you have to be thankful for! Your nieces are adorable, I can’t wait to be an auntie myself; think I may be waiting a while for that though! Beautiful post. My TTT.
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
Such wonderful things to be thankful for! I’m so happy you have such a wonderful husband and family and I wish you the happiest of holidays this Thanksgiving!!