I have such an abundance about which to be thankful about this year.
I wonder if I think this every year, but I think the last year was the biggest year of my life. I closed so many doors so that others could open: I sorted out many things with family and old friends, I made choices solely for my own benefit, I pared down to just what – and whom – I need in my life. These changes made space for such vast goodness in my life, more than I ever could have imagined, and it continues to overflow my heart.
This morning, I met so many people who amazed me with their dedication to their dreams. I’m thankful that my heart and eyes were open to see what was before me.
This year, I met so many people – and deepened existing relationships – who fill the exact voids of my soul, who lead me to exactly where I’ve been trying to go, who bring me so much happiness, tenderness, and inspiration. I’m thankful that I had the courage to cultivate these friendships with honesty and sincerity.
And next year, I think, will be even bigger.
I never used to want to mark the ends of things – I wanted to keep things trailing on, to leave myself a thread or a breadcrumb trail to follow back until I changed my mind about my path. This year I’ve learned the importance of making room for the new, the not-necessarily-improved, the things that are really right. The things that make me feel like I’m home.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to let things end, to cut free those anchors and sail ahead, even when it means I have to lose sight of the shore completely. I’m thankful for the spaces between things, the pauses, the air that lets us find the edges and differentiate between what is, what was, and what will be.
I hope this day, this time with friends or family or your own introspection or just a big ol’ plate of food, brings you peace, joy, perspective, and a ray of the pure love that I think we all can feel for the whole world.
And, PS, I broke my 5k PR by almost a minute this morning without hardly trying. How’s that for gratitude?