Gratitiude

Daily journaling has been part of my life for four years.  This year, in each journal entry, I started adding something that I’m grateful for.  My intent was to ensure that in a life filled with an ever-increasing number of distractions that I don’t take things for granted – especially the important things.  My belief is that by focusing on positivity and gratitude that these things will become more abundant in my life.  Below, in no particular order, is the compilation of all the things from my 2016 journaling that I am grateful for.  I am truly happy I started this and I will continue the practice of gratitude indefinitely with my journaling.  If you haven’t done something like this, I recommend it.

I am grateful for…

Love.  Kylie.  Isabella.  Brielle.  Living in Canada and being Canadian.  A warm house on cold nights.  Hope.  Holidays and vacations.  Ideon Packaging.  Vitamins.  Sleep.  Sunrises.  Sunsets.  Campfires; for the peacefulness, smell and stories they can bring out. Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Not living in a war-torn country.  Nature.  RRSPs.  RESPs.  Tax-Free Savings Accounts.  Compound Interest.  Our beautiful new custom patio.  Grandparents who look after Bella and Brielle to give Kylie and I a date night.  Date nights.  Another day on this beautiful Earth.  Site, Sound, touch, smell, and taste (all of which I am thankfully in good standing).  Lots of hair.  The ability for my body to recover after a run and workout.  A nice bottle of wine.  A nice cigar (Romeo Y Juliet to be specific).  Statutory Holidays.  Going running for the first time with Bella.  Playing games and having fun with Bella and Brielle.  Getting fired from SMC Pneumatics.  The smell of a bouquet of flowers.  Not having to choose between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.  Dallas Cowboys finally having a season with promise.  Shuswap Lake.  Adam Hart and his Mind-Rest idea.  My daughters laugh.  Safe travels.  Rob Hunt.  The four seasons, equally.  Not being a tree.  Trees.  Books.  Eleven wonderful years (and counting) with Kylie.  The Halloween spirit that seemingly brings out the kid in all of us.  Seeing the expression of excitement on Brielle’s face as she opens her birthday gift: her first big-girl bike. Clear nights with the stars shining (Majestic!).  Another day, healthy.  Date nights.  Bella telling me that she was sad that we didn’t have more hangout time (done through tears). Gravity.  A nice glass of port.  Traditions.  Family time.  All my teachers – past, present and future – from both sides of the ledger.  My girls being so happy to see me when they get home from dance or when I pick them up at the end of the day.  The little things.  Relaxing with Kylie in front of the TV and fire after a long day.  Running.  A friendly smile from a stranger.  Finding my path.  The little voice in my head that tells me to keep going.  Fresh air.  Clean drinking water right out of the tap.  Reliable plumbing, heat and utilities in the house.  The Christmas spirit and the pure joy kids have at Christmas time.  Finding perfection in imperfection.  Customers.  Great suppliers.  Vitamins.  Advil.  Physiotherapy.  A great haircut.  Pain; it reminds me how lucky I have it when pain is not there.  The human body; its power to heal and recover is truly amazing.  Having a new house that doesn’t need repairs (yet…).  The person who inspired me to journal (sadly, I can’t remember who it was).  Hope.  Forgiveness.  Vacation Days.  Snow and the excitement it brings out of kids.  Networking and new connections.  Winter Tires.  The furnace.  Air conditioning.  Freedom.  Losing weight.  Rainy days.  Difference.  The light and the dark; a great metaphor for life.  Sleeping in once in a while.  Podcasts; a great way to learn on the go.  Memories.  Gifts and presents.  Failing; the best way to learn.  Firefighters, police officers and paramedics.  Family traditions.  Elf on a shelf.  Coffee.  Two healthy and beautiful daughters that I cherish more than anything in the world.  Tom and Rosa letting us stay in their house while we were between houses.  The abundance of food when the majority of the world’s population doesn’t have this.  The good health of myself, family and friends.  Having many great friends.  Trades people.  Good night hugs and kisses with Bella and Brielle.  Loving parents, willing to help us out whenever they’re asked.  Making enough money to afford the things our family needs, with the luxury of being able to afford the things we want while being fiscally responsible.  Having the family cabin to use a vacation spot any time.  A fine dining meal.  Seeing a need for change and making it happen.  Choice and discipline.  March 31st and finally having a new house of our own.  Living in a free country.  My connections and relationships, both personally and professionally.  To be blessed with the opportunity to share my life and raise our children with the most amazing, beautiful and loving woman in the world.  Dentists.  Positive relationships.  Being able to vote in a democratic society.  Playing in the snow.  Being athletically inclined and able enough to enjoy most sports.  My mission/purpose statement and knowing my core values.  Animals.  How well Kylie and I have done on the properties we’ve owned, allowing us to step up each time.  Capitalism.  My promotion to VP of Operations.  Finding the woman of my dreams at a younger age, to allow us more life together and have two amazing daughters.  Tropical destinations.  Parents stressing the importance of retirement planning.  Parents who are truly living their retirement.  Reflection, perspective, feedback, and coaching.  Sunny days.  Golfing season and “The Belt”.  The ability to choose my environment.  Fresh air.  Teamwork.  Bedtime cuddles with Bella and Brielle.  Birthdays.  Giving to the less fortunate.  Music.  Artistic expression.  Listening to Bella and Brielle laugh.  The Canadian healthcare system.  Exercise. The quiet neighbourhood we live in.  Competition.  Having a comfortable bed to sleep in.  The stars in the sky.  My kids enjoying playing together.  Privacy when I want it.  Green grass.  Singing birds.  Bees.  Warm weather.  Hanging out in the backyard with friends.  Peace.  Conflict with resolution.  Family dinners together.  Weekend homemade breakfasts (waffles, pancakes, French Toast, etc.).  Board and card games.  A good stretch.  Poetry.  Everyone who fights for our freedom; past, present and future.  Doctors.  An amazing view.  And the list goes on.