Thankful, always...

In the spirit of Thanksgiving weekend, I am taking a little moment to reflect on all for which I am thankful... I must say, it certainly is not hard to do as I sit here with a purring cat, sun pouring through the window, and a delicious breakfast steaming away beside me!

Being thankful is showing your appreciation, your gratitude and saying 'thank you'. More importantly, it is taking the time to do this, and being fully sincere... and noticing the kindness of people, even when what they have given you is not necessarily tangible. There are so many beautiful hearts out there, so let's take time to reflect on the gifts from our loved ones, the strangers who share their kindness, and the beauty Nature gives to us every day.

Today, I am thankful for, among many other things:

- a Mother who taught me how to love, how to give, how to strive for the best, and the best damn study techniques a girl could want;)

- a Father who passed on his strength, worldy knowledge and infallible common sense with me every day, and taught me the wisdom of Nature, health and cigar-smoking

- the career of my dreams, with the employer, coworkers, and students of my dreams... it is such a privilege to have my passion be my living

- the opportunity to be studying for the next, complementary step of my career under way

- a relationship with a wonderful man who makes me laugh, keeps me focused, and supports me even when I'm doing angler-fish impressions

- close friends, who live near (or even in my apartment!), and far... including those who I don't get to see as often, but think of dearly

- my hilarious cat... brightens my life every day in a ridiculously cute, furry way

- people in my past who have shaped my life today, whether it be teachers, past relationships/friendships, or family... and the cultures in which I have lived...

- the little blessings of every day... the colour of the leaves today, the lady who let me go ahead of her in the grocery line as I only had two items, having finally been to an apple orchard, a really good book, the cute little boy on the bus who was having deliriously-happy mitten fights with his Dad

- food (seriously, what would a thankfulness list by me even be, without the mention of food!!), and the beauty of whole, living, healthy eating... oh, and cinnamon (see previous post... or the bowl of oatmeal I am eating...)
- ability... to have choice, to dance, to sing, to learn, to help, to feel, to share, to give, to cook, to laugh, to walk, to dream, to believe, to breathe...

... what are you thankful for?

Sending love, and thanks, to all, and wishing you a fantastic weekend with your families,

N.