Gratitude: What Makes me Thankful

Life is like a rollercoaster full of ups and downs. The key in life is to not resist the downs but instead find ways to appreciate them. The way I react to the things that happen has a direct correlation on how well I navigate life. Once I realized this, life became better. I was able to ride the rollercoaster with joy and understand that even the setbacks were there to lift me up.

This year was no different as I had my fair share of hard times. There were times I was hurt and times I was sad. I was let down at times and even lost some people in my life. However, there were lessons in these setbacks, which helped me grow.  I have faith that everything works out the way it is supposed too.

In times that life gets me down, I try to remember the things that make me grateful. The list of positives far outweighs the negatives. It helps me find perspective. I believe it is the best way to start the New Year.

My grateful list starts with God.  I would not have accomplished any of my goals without the Universe making all the perfect connections.  Time and time again things happen in my life that would never have happened without God.  This past year, I found a clear inner voice that helps guide me in making the right choices.  

The next thing on my list are the bad habits I continue to abstain from. I have continued to be clean from Gambling (2015), weed (2020), alcohol (2020), and caffeine (2023). I would not be in the mental or physical space I am in if I continued to be led by bad habits. There is no chance I would be where I am today.

Next, I am thankful that I can enjoy my own company.  I am almost never bored or lonely when I am in solitude.  This gift has allowed me to venture into spaces that have changed my life.

However, I know I cannot spend all my time alone, which is why I am grateful for real friends.  I have a circle that I can count on.  They check on me and give me support. A prime example was when I featured near Washington, DC, on December 23.  A car full of people took the road trip with me and another friend met us there.  My friend, Friday Love, did a collaboration piece with me that enhanced my set tremendously.   

Speaking of performances, I am appreciative of working with my vocal coach Nickey Mcmullen for most of this year.  She has helped me have a more commanding presence on stage.  My confidence has improved tremendously. She has also helped improve my writing with suggestions that have been on point.  But most importantly she has made performing more fun and joyful.  Hiring her was one of the best decisions I made this past year.  

in addition to vocal coaching, I am glad I have continued to work with the Book Doulas.  I have done several of their classes/workshops.  Most recently, I made the decision to join their momentum class.  A class designed to accelerate the completion of my Memoir, Spiritual Wars: Living with the Greatness of a Bipolar Mind.  The class just started, and I have already received invaluable suggestions.  I have no doubt that Momentum will help my Memoir become a reality.  

Next on my grateful list is my career at Home Again. It is a dream come true to work for a non-profit. Often, I remind myself how blessed I am to work in a field that I love.  In May, I was promoted to Director, which has allowed me to take all my past experiences and skills to help do our part to end homelessness in Richmond, VA. It is also refreshing to work with people that care deeply and want to do the right thing.  We are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance with a good amount of time off, as well as other things we do to take care of ourselves.  This isn’t always easy to find in this society and I know how blessed I am. It doesn't really feel like work anymore.

I am also grateful for my intelligence, my good health, and being who I am. I appreciate that I can keep a positive attitude most of the time and have the ability to correct myself when I fall short. It is also a blessing I can express myself through writing and poetry and help others be inspired.  

I am even thankful for the hard times.  In each difficult experience, there is a lesson. I believe that each tough time I went through was meant to happen.  It is God’s way of making sure I stay on my path towards my destiny.  I stopped wondering why these things happen to me and instead, I give thanks for the experiences that keep me straight.  

When is the last time you thought of the things that make you grateful? If you spend the time to make a list, you may be surprised how many good things you have in your life, which may help you not focus on the negatives. After making the list, you may be ready to focus in 2025.

That is what I did! After making this list, I updated my vision board and turned them into 90-day objectives. I then asked myself what I can do to meet those goals by the end of March, which became bitesize tasks to conquer. If you want to do the same, subscribe to my mailing list for a free tutorial on how to go through this process.

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