In the US, November is when we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Besides being the day to eat turkey, being full and checking the specials retail stores have for Black Friday, many families join together to express their gratitude for their many blessings. Whether your family is rich or poor, this is a practice in most households.

I have to admit that although I live telling myself that I am grateful, on occasions, I forget my reasons towards this feeling. And I do not like to say that I am selfish, I am just distracted. Many of us have smartphones and social media accounts in which we get so engrossed in (Guilty!), that we forget there is a world around us which we are a part of. So in this post today, I am taking a pause to write about those few things I forget, in which I am grateful for.

1. My family

Being a mommy which is constantly busy, and overwhelmed by the daily tasks that I do, I am blessed and grateful of the family I have. They aren’t perfect, they have their issues, and I am learning to understand and accept this, but they are present. My husband is hardworking and caring, and my children enjoy their company and are happy in their family.

There were times, many times, in which I thought I wasn’t enough for them, do to comparing myself with others, and undermining what I have to offer. Society doesn’t help much either. I was often tarnished with the thought that I needed to disappear, and that my family were better off with a more prettier, responsible and complete person. My thoughts and negative talk got the best of me in those moments, but I wasn’t alone. I was supported, comforted, and I searched for help on time.

Please, if you ever experienced these thoughts, get help as soon as possible. Every person is different in handling their own troubles, but know that negative talk is not a healthy coping skill. I can’t stress enough that every person is here with a purpose in life and are very valuable.

2. My Safety

It may sound selfish, but I am grateful for having a roof over my head, a job to fulfill, and a car to drive. I am grateful for having people watch over our family (like the security guard), people who have talents that I don’t have (like the mechanic), and people who sees the best in everyone else. There are many people, due to unfortunate circumstances, that do not enjoy the privilege of being safe, and most of us takes that for granted.

3. My Challenges

Might sound counterproductive, but I am grateful for my challenges. Because my challenges have taught me lessons that I wouldn’t have even known. From caring for parents at a young age, to acknowledging my children’s’ conditions and being proactive, I know that I would be a very different person if I didn’t go through my personal experiences.

Challenges are very different from person to person, and surpassing their experiences with grace makes them unique and priceless to be around.

4. My Very Mixed Culture

While many people who live in my island have been authentically here for generations, some of us are a product of immigration. My family is not the exception. We decided to give these roots a chance to thrive with our children, and its fun to have different traditions and customs. From believing in Santa and Los Reyes, to eating traditional dishes, our uniqueness makes us who we are and share together. I love living in a tropical environment, and seeing happy people regardless of their circumstances.

5. My Faith

I am very respectful about people’s belief in their walk of faith. I am grateful because I can understand their purpose in this path. I am currently returning to my path of faith, setting an example for my children for their future. Taking moments to read and reflect on those messages, adapting them to your routine and trying to abide by them is a challenge in comparison with what we are faced around us. But I accept that I am not perfect and it is a personal process.

6. Knowledge and Initiative

Yes, I am grateful for knowledge. Learning about something new every day, and actually being brave enough to actually give it a shot, is something that I have been pondering for as long as I remember. It took me a long time of trial, and many errors to start a blog. Reading about niches and thinking of having it being productive. Reality is that if I never start, I would never know if it worked. If I don’t write about my thoughts, I would never know if they would be accepted or shunned.

I have read (don’t remember where) that people should have three hobbies in life: one to be creative, one to make money, and one for personal fulfillment. I crochet (I may show some of my stuff here for another day), I sell thirty-one (which I may have another post about it), and I have this blog, because besides of the benefits of making money on it, I have always loved to write and channel my thoughts in a certain way.

So, so far, these are the reasons that I am grateful during this season. Maybe it isn’t all that I am grateful for, but acknowledging this first step towards contentment is very important. What are you grateful for?

Have a wonderful, joyful and blessed day!