Last Updated on November 23, 2017 by ThoughtsStained

I know what you’re thinking: Great, another stereotypical Thanksgiving post where some random blogger writes about everything she’s thankful for. Wahoo.
You know what? That’s exactly what this post is, so let’s get right to it, shall we?

I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a lot to be thankful for and live a really blessed life. I have an incredible family who believes in me and supports me. I’m so glad to be close with them and have an actual relationship with them. I have a great group of friends who I don’t get to see enough, but I’m so lucky for the time I do get. I have a wonderful guy who treats me right and challenges me daily, always helping me grow and experience so many firsts together. I have a steady job, a fantastic internship, a lovely apartment, make enough money to support myself, have my health and I’m chasing my dreams.
Yeah, I’m definitely one of the lucky ones.
This year, I’m specifically thankful for a couple things–not meaning that they are any more important than the amazing list above, but I just wanted to highlight them, in this post, and express how  truly grateful I am.
My Writing: The past year has been a bit difficult, writing wise. I got into a rut that I’m just now figuring out how to break, after multiple attempts and plenty of failure. Yet I’m so thankful for this passion, not only because it helps me escape when life gets tough, but it gives me an incredible feeling that nothing else can. Creating stories and bringing those characters and their ordeals to life, from inside my head to the written page; it’s unlike anything else in the world, and I’m so thankful to be given this gift.
My Hopeless Romantic Attitude: I feel like this will probably be an entire blog post for another day, but I’m really glad I’ve chosen to love fearlessly and with my entire heart, every single time. Though I didn’t know what it felt like to be in a relationship until recently, I’ve had my heart toyed with and scarred on multiple occasions. Hell, this time last year, I was still recovering from a guy ghosting on me for no apparent reason, leading me to a lot of self-doubt and self-questioning. So when my current guy showed up, a few months later, and the only way we’d have a chance was for me to rip down any walls I’d built up around my heart and step completely out of my comfort zone, so I could take a risk on him? It was one of the best decisions I ever made, bumps and tears included. So I’m really thankful I’m willing to be fearless with my heart and risk it, even with the possibility of its shattering as a result. Without that vulnerability, I would have missed out on the best man there is.
My Willpower: I started running and practicing portion control, two things my brain always told me I wasn’t strong enough to do. In a year and a month, I’ve lost 30 pounds and am only 10 pounds away from my 40 pound weight lost goal. I never thought it was possible, but by practicing my willpower, it was a goal I was able to achieve. But I think it’s an even more important muscle to flex–using willpower–because this battle was one stuck on repeat. Some days, I had to fight the same mental demons I’ve fought so many times before and, without willpower, I would have given in and not made it to where I am now. I’m thankful I’m learning the strength of my own willpower and using it.
My Voice: It’s something I’m still learning how to use and I’ll be the first to admit that I really don’t use it enough. Yet I’m really thankful I’m learning to trust it and be confident in not only my opinions, but having the courage to voice them. It’s incredible what can  happen if you speak up.
So, yeah. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and I’m really excited to celebrate that with a few days off of work, time with family and friends and gaining all the weight I lost back in one day, thanks to numerous helpings of sweet potatoes. And rolls.
Lots and lots of rolls.

Cheers.
PS: Happy 52nd Birthday to my Dad, who gets to boast that everyone is taking the day off and eating a lot of food for his birthday. I love you!