I Am Thankful for Absolutely Everything.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.”

(Melody Beattie)

Thanksgiving is traditionally meant to be a celebration of the years’ blessings.

Let’s be honest here, a lot of people use it as another free 4-day weekend to eat far too much, drink until they forget that they are the black sheep of the family, or to get a good night’s sleep before the hell that is now Black Friday. I mean seriously, who actually needs 3 50-inch TV’s?! The prices aren’t that good and there is no way that I would be caught dead, in a full on bare knuckle boxing match with a perfect stranger over a pair of frilly knickers! Get a grip!

I’m not American myself, but I appreciate the sentiment behind the holiday. I like to take the time each day, not just once a year, to remind myself what I am thankful for in this life.

Some people get so wrapped up in the doom and gloom of the things that don’t go their way, that they overshadow the amazing things that happen every single day.

You wake up, you have running water, you have clothes to put on wear… life is good! Be Thankful!

There are people out there that would kill for your bad days and are fighting to wake up and take the breath that you take for granted, every day.

Personally, I am thankful for everything this year has given me. I have been on an insane adventure, learnt some very valuable lessons and I have completely changed my life. Definitely for the better. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but I am grateful for every single bump and bend in the road. I know I’m not out of the woods yet, but I am looking forward to seeing what else there is for me to face. The journey that we are all on is never meant to be easy. If it were easy, we wouldn’t be half as satisfied when we achieve our goals- remember that.

I have a group of 4 of the BEST girlfriends in the entire world, that are the support network I could never live without. They have been there for me my whole life- the good, the bad and the downright ugly. 22 years of friendship and still going strong. One may have been a late addition, but she’s just as important. We are the sisters we chose for ourselves. Yeah sure we all have our moments and we don’t always agree, but we always love each other. They tell me it how it is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. They make me a better person and I will be forever grateful for these girls.

I made a choice to keep my circle very small. I surround myself with people that genuinely care and actively want to be a part of my life. The road I chose to travel on can be a very lonely one, but this past year I have met some pretty amazing people. I have Country Music to thank for that and if I am being honest, it is each and every one of them that inspired me to start this site. They’re all insane- let me just put that out there… but they are definitely my kind of crazy and I love them all dearly. It’s like I have never not had them in my life. They are those people, you know, that just turn up and never leave… and I’m O.K with it. I am thankful for each and every single one of them.

I am always thankful for my family… we are slightly dysfunctional, definitely not normal (who’s family is right?!) but there is nothing except unfaltering love and support that comes from them. They are my good vibrations and when I feel like I’m falling, they pick me right back up. Normally give me the kick up the ass I need and sit me straight back on my horse. My oldest sister is AMAZING. She doesn’t know it, but she is my hero. I am definitely thankful for her, for all of my siblings, but she is my inspiration to never give up… no matter how bad things seem.

So, this Thanksgiving, if you haven’t already, take a minute…take an hour, whatever. Just sit there and think about all the things you have to be grateful for. All those little things that you overlook or take for granted, are what you should be focussed on… Trust me.