100 Things I Am Thankful For
Published December 31st, 2007If you set New Year’s resolutions and can stick to them, then I congratulate you on your will power and self-discipline. When I was younger I would set resolutions, and then just feel bad later on when I didn’t stick to them. As I moved on in life, I realized that I am a person that needs to set very realistic goals on a regular basis, and then achieving them encourages me to move forward to do bigger and better things. I use this philosophy with my clients. I never asked them to do a number of things I know are not realistic. As a result I get very good general compliance.
Now, every year instead of resolutions, I take the time to think about everything that I am thankful for. Putting these ideas into writing and bringing them to the forefront of my consciousness, not only makes me feel very blessed, but encourages me to do even better for myself and those around me.
These are the things for which I feel gratitude, and it is a very personal list. Some of these things are not going to mean anything to you. Hopefully though, it will stimulate conversation between yourself and those you love to come up with your own list.
I am thankful….
1. That I do no have a daily struggle to find clean water to drink
2. That I have a safe place to sleep at night
3. Not only that I have food to eat every day, but that I have the skills to plan and prepare nutritious meals for my family
4. That my parents told me I could do anything I put my mind to
5. That I live in a place where everybody is free to be who they are
6. That I have found my soul mate
7. That I have a family that sees animals the way I do
8. That I got an education so I will always have a way to support myself
9. That my husband had the courage to follow his dream
10. For the amazing friends in my life
11. For my brother–who really is the golden child
12. That I had Jasper in my life–even though it was not nearly for long enough
13. For the places on earth that I have had the privilege to visit so far
14. That my 4-wheel drive has helped me get through some pretty bad weather so that I can help others
15. That I do not give up when things get difficult
16. That I can read–what a world of possibilities that has opened up
17. For the wonderful people who work tirelessly for the ALS ( Lou Gehrig’s disease) societies around the world
18. For my father–who is brave and caring, and has changed so many student’s lives for the better
19. For my mother–who gives her time and energy selflessly to others
20. That I am Canadian
21. For those who work hard and risk their lives every day to make sure that we are safe
22. That Naula came into my life
23. That Moab picked us to be his family
24. That even though I don’t have the financial resources to support many, I have limitless love in my heart
25. When a complete stranger takes a minute to hold a door open for me
26. For the technical clothes I have, that let me fully enjoy the outdoors with my dogs 365 days a year
27. For the good people who take care of my babies when I cannot be there
28. For my neighbours, who are always willing to lend a helping hand
29. When someone around me achieves success
30. For every bad boss that I have ever had
31. For Aunt Susan, who will have a special place in heaven for taking care of grandma and grandpa
32. For Rajah and Nalini who took care of my grandmother
33. That when I make mistakes, I learn from them
34. That I have money management skills
35. When someone smiles at me
36. That I know how to swim
37. When my husband comes home safe from work every day
38. For Google
39. For my in-laws–I have learned so much from my relationship with them
40. For recycling and composting, and everyone who does it
41. For biodegradable poo bags (we use a lot of them)
42. For all of my favourite artists, whose music motivates me and is the soundtrack to my life
43. To Ellen Degeneres for making me laugh
44. That I have my people and furry family members to hug when I am sad or scared
45. When friends call or write to me
46. For all of my photographs and memories
47. That I know how to do basic first aid and CPR
48. That Antoine de Saint Exupery wrote “The Little Prince”
49. For every thank you card and letter that a client has given me–I keep all of them
50. For the flu vaccine…and the rabies vaccine
51. For renewable resources
52. For the people who write and test for Consumer Reports
53. For my subsidized Canadian health care
54. When people around me make me laugh
55. For the couple who started www.kiva.org
56. For my mountain bike–even though it broke my hand
57. For the billions of animals who have died so we can have the medications, health care, and comforts that we rely on every single day
58. For animal shelters with no kill policies, so that those animals can have the second chance that they deserve
59. People who share
60. That I have the courage to try things that scare me
61. For Jackie
62. When I come home, and am greeted by two happy, furry, wagging dogs
63. That I am self-employed
64. That my husband supports me no matter what I do
65. When I see people helping each other
66. For all of the good foster parents out there who keep kids safe
67. For teachers
68. For every moment that I get to spend with my dad
69. For the high speed Internet connection…….yes…. I had dial-up until last week
70. For dancing
71. That the World Wildlife Fund exists
72. That Shadow is a survivor
73. To Kira, for giving my parents so much joy
74. For the invention of pineapple pizza with extra cheese
75. For the services that the Canadian Automobile Association provides
76. To the people of Sweden, for recognizing just how important animals can be to a society
77. For hybrid cars
78. For public transport
79. For our little vegetable garden
80. For rock concerts–even though I don’t hear so well anymore
81. To all of the people who genuinely wish us well
82. That the Red Cross exists
83. For the good work that The United Way does in communities
84. To Bill Clinton for writing his book “Giving”
85. For greenspace in urban areas
86. When I am followed around and surrounded by a whole pack of happy dogs
87. For every day that Moab gets to live free of pain
88. When parents teach their children good manners
89. For all of the sunny days
90. When I wake up in the middle of a sandwich between my husband and the dogs
91. For farmer’s markets
92. When people don’t waste food
93. That we both have careers that enable us to live and work anywhere in the world
94. That I can speak more than one language
95. For holidays
96. When people apologize for being hurtful, and try to make it right
97. For maps
98. Moneysense magazine
99. To little Liza
100. To you, for letting me be a small part of your life today
