Being that it's Sunday and in light of some recent events in my family, I thought I would take a little time to share some of the things I am grateful for. In my busy life I often overlook and take for granted all of the many things I am blessed with. I need to just sit back and take a look at how amazing (and easy) my life really is. When I look around me, I really have it quite easy.
I came across this quote the other night: "Stop focusing on how stressed you are, and remember how blessed you are."
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am the ultimate perfectionist as well as the ultimate procrastinator. Mix that with severe anxiety, and you've got a recipe for disaster. When I saw that quote I realized that in the grand scheme of things, all these little things that I stress over really don't matter. I've found that I'm just too damn blessed to be stressed.
Being blessed is not measured by the material things that we have. It is the opportunities that we are given, the precious family and friends we are surrounded by, and even the trials we are faced with that have helped us to become better. So here is my list of reasons why I am #blessed:
1. Family. You all knew family was going to be numero uno. Throughout high school this is what I took the most for granted. When I moved away after graduation I quickly realized how important they were to me. Not just for cooking and cleaning, but for talking to me and guiding me in making good decisions. After high school I wasn't making the best life decisions. And you know who whipped me back into shape? My family. They always have my back and they always have my best interests at heart. When I'm being stupid, they tell me. When I achieve something, they tell me how proud they are. They are biggest critics as well as my biggest supporters. They are just about the only people that will talk smack to your face, but sing your praises when you aren't listening. I know that my family would do anything for me and I don't know what I would do without them.
2. The Gospel. I was born and raised in the LDS. It's always been a part of who I am. But I always took it for granted growing up in a town thats population was mostly LDS as well. Once I moved to Edmonton I quickly learned that it took effort to go to church and live my gospel standards when I was not continuously around members of my faith. Fast forward to now, and I can say that my testimony has never been as strong as it is now. Not attending church regularly and making the poor choices that I was, was making me a very unhappy person. I am so grateful for the atonement in my life and how much it has strengthened my testimony. Living righteously has made me a much happier, stress-free person.
3. Kimpy. I know, she's part of my family. But she's also by BFF. I tell her absolutely everything. She never judges me, but she is always honest with me and tells me what I sometimes don't want to hear but need to. My mom would always tell me that we would one day be best friends when she was the obnoxious little sister following me to parties in high school. Now I couldn't imagine doing anything without her. Having her be so far away from me while she is going to school has been the hardest thing. I am so lucky to have sister that I can call my best friend.
4. Friends. Life would be so lonely without good friends to share it with. Because of my friends I have countless memories to relive and laugh hysterically about. And many more memories to make. My friends help me to become the person I want to be. They tell me when I'm making a stupid mistake whether it be about boys, school, or anything else this crazy life throws at me. And even if I don't take their advice, they are still there to comfort me when it all goes wrong. I'm grateful for friends who get mad at me because I have done something to hurt them. This has taught me so much about being a better friend. And I am grateful that even though they get mad at me, they can't stay mad for long. I am grateful for so many people to experience all of the ups and downs with.
5. Education. If there is one quote I completely live by, it is "You can never be overdressed or over-educated". Education is so important. It is the only thing that we get to take with us into the next life. We should constantly be trying to better ourselves and learn as much as we can. I am grateful for my mother who pushed me to work hard to get into the program that I wanted and continued to push me to do well in my program. And even now that I am graduated I am constantly learning on a day to day basis. I am grateful for a career which is continually changing so that I have to be always bettering myself.
6. My Job. I am so blessed to wake up each morning and go to a job that I love, with the people I enjoy working with. I am thankful for the challenging and rewarding career that I have, that I know I am helping people. I am grateful that I know every two weeks I will be getting a pay cheque to pay for the things that I need. I am blessed that I can provide for myself, and be able to do it with a smile on my face.
These are not the only things I am grateful for. I could write a novel of all the blessings in my life. But it is comforting to know that I am so fortunate to have so much to be grateful for.
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