Thanks-for-giving

Thanksgiving is here and there is SO much to be thankful for.

At yoga practice today we were asked to choose just 1 thing we are grateful for. Trying to limit things to just 1 makes you realize all the beauty there is in the world. How can I choose just 1? Well...

I chose people.

I am so grateful for people.

I am so so so so so so so very grateful to spend Thanksgiving this year alongside my family-- my Momma and Dadda, my 3 pretty sisters, and my 1 favorite dog in the whole-wide-world (except tied with Vaquito). Family's not always easy, can't say I haven't intentionally stained a sisters' shirt or two, but at the end of the day I find myself silently cursing myself for the harm I may have caused them throughout the day when I judged, or yelled, or lost patience. I'm so lucky for the perfect family that was set before me and I wish to celebrate this Thanksgiving showing my gratitude for them.

And, oh, all the other gente out there that make me smile.

My blessed yoga instructors, who help me find the calm to deal with the noise of NYC and the strength to come out unharmed.

Dear friends who lend me their children to make me smile and forget about all the grown-up BS that usually doesn't matter so much as we think it does anyway.

Girly get-togethers when I can laugh til my eyes have extra creases and go home giddy.

Strangers who think my eyelashes are fake.

And oh all the lovely spirits who have contributed to this cause:

Crowdfunding

Because just some more people I am thankful for are Fidel and Saul.

I am so grateful that I met them, for so many reasons. For the friendship they offered me during my short time in El Salvador- and for that moment that we screamed beneath the waterfall at their going away party to the US.

For the passion that they each live with- for music and for photography- for education- for friendships- for family- for a bright future---- for themselves, for their communities-- for El Salvador-- for the world.

They have no idea how much they have accomplished already and they have no idea how much further they will go.

They are a constant inspiration and reminder of the blessings of life.

There are so many more people I am thinking of that I am grateful for, although I cannot list them all, you probably have come into my mind already so don't be offended if my fingers don't type your name, but I must express my ever-present love and admiration for my Granny Grandmama, who is 93 (I know I say that enough but she deserves it) and makes me laugh and smile and tear up on a daily basis. I should put the recording of her voicemail on here...

My dear Salvadoran family: Nina Doris, Nena, Marilyn, and my precious Lili & Karyme. My neighbors Marjori, Catherine, Leslith, David, Gerson and Gilmer, Glenda, Luci and Nina Otinia. Mirna, Carlos y Evelin. I don't know what I would have done without you.

And a special place in my heart is always held for you, Tina, especially during this time. You have come into my life in so many ways over the years, and you were one of the reasons I made it through the hard times in El Salvador. You and your family are an inspiration in my life.

You may read my posts and my floofy blogs and think Im some sort of hippie, life-loving, walking on thin air, yogi-- maybe not. Maybe you think I'm nuts. Maybe I bore you-- I don't know.

But the truth is, life has challenged me in so many ways... these past 6 months especially have tested my willpower. If there is anything that has gotten me by, it is Gratitude.

It puts things into perspective. It grounds you. It keeps you warm. It lifts you up. It humbles you.

So, I am so grateful for Thanksgiving right now- because it came just at the right moment; A time when I need to be extra thankful.

I continue to write 10 things each night in my gratitude journal that I am grateful for- more often than not, these include 5-6 people who have blessed my life that particular day,  2-3 reasons I am thankful for me, and then there's often something in there about a cute pup, a blue sky or my Toms shoes.

Happy Thanksgiving beautiful people & beautiful world.