Living a life of Gratefulness...

Going into 2022, I had to reflect on 2021. It was a year of some significant lows, but it was also a year of personal growth. On April 10, 2021, my world was turned upside-down when my dad passed. Saying that we were close was an understatement. He wasn’t just my dad; he was also my friend. We talked daily, and when he passed unexpectedly, I did not want to imagine my world without him. It just didn’t feel right.  

But life doesn’t work like that. Each day the sun comes up, and each day you have to choose how you will live that day. In the middle of some of my deepest pain, I had to decide whether I would live each day being grateful or live each day being regretful. I chose gratefulness. Choosing gratefulness felt like the best way to honor my dad, which was essential.

So now, when I wake up, I try my best to lead with a grateful heart. It is not always easy. When I feel overwhelmed, I will remind myself of the things I have to be thankful for (the relationship I shared with my dad, the time I get to spend with my mom, the laughter I share with my husband, the moments I get to spend with my kids). My grateful list can go on and on. 

Why am I sharing this? 

Because I know that a new year can be a time of reflection, and as you reflect on your goals or aspirations for the year, I hope you decide to choose gratefulness for your life.