A project was suggested for me recently: over the course of however long it takes, list 1000 things that you’re grateful for. A the time it was suggested, I was almost asleep, and I’ve gone back and thought about it quite a few times, but have never really taken the time to sit down and really think about it. (If you know what I mean.)

Isn’t that how things work in life? We have a list of things we want to accomplish, start, or look into, and every day, we glance over at the list and think, “not today, but maybe tomorrow.”

So here are 5 things I’m grateful for. A start.

I have seen so many beautiful things.

Stop and smell the roses once in a while. The weather has been getting better and better these past few days, and we are entering the sweet spot of the year: where it’s warm, flowers are blooming, and I am not yet plagued by allergies.

Despite being deathly allergic to plant life and the outdoors, I still appreciate how beautiful nature is. I’ve had the great joy of visiting some of the most gorgeous mountains, lakes, and trails. Hopefully, this year I will be able to visit more.

Dogs. They exist.

Seriously. There’s nothing better than dogs. Dogs are pretty much the greatest things in existence. It’s been a dream of mine to own a dog. (Just one? Maybe not. But we’ll start with one…) and I’m finally at a place in my life where I might be able to give a little dog a good, loving home. I’ve been looking! And it’s been pretty exciting, despite the fact that I want to take home every little fluffball I see. Having a dog will be a huge responsibility and a long-term commitment, but I feel ready to take that on!

I have someone to wake up to in the mornings.

I recently moved in with someone wonderful. It’s an apartment, but it’s the first time that a space has felt like it’s mine. I think we’re both still getting used to sharing space with someone 24/7, how to deal with the times you need You time, or when you need to use the bathroom but they’re taking a long shower. (I suppose this would be where having siblings would have come in handy. It’s too bad neither of us have any.) I don’t expect everything to be easy, and I’m sure there’s a lot more adjusting to come. What I do know, though, is that there is nothing better than waking up, rolling over, and looking at the face of the person you love.

Except maybe dogs. Rolling over and looking at a fluffy dog would probably be better.

My boss is amazing.

Pictured above is my office. My nerdy, dorky office. I don’t have a Wonder Woman problem or anything… Most of the things in the picture are actually gifts from other people. That decal at the very center of the wall? I found it sitting on my desk this morning.

I’ve had a lot of different jobs over the years, ranging from cleaning up doggy poo to managing an entire center by myself. I’ve worked with and worked under a lot of different people. If you’d asked me a few years ago if I’d ever want to work with taxes, I’d probably say no. But honestly? It’s not what you do, but who you do it with. I have the great privilege of working with an amazing man who really cares about the people in his company. You can do anything with the right encouragement and support; I’m so glad I’ve found that kind of environment.

I have supportive friends.

As a child, I moved every 2 or 3 years, and so I wasn’t used to having long-lasting relationships. (This was also during that time period where the internet was just starting and kids didn’t walk around with their own personal cell phones, ipads, and smart watches.) In middle school, I got into web design for the community of it. I’m still in touch with some of the people I met through that, even now. I’ve come to learn that some people are meant to enter your life for a short period, while others were meant to stay longer. Some people, you talk to every single day. Others, you may not talk to every day or every month, or even every year, but when you do talk, it’s like no time as passed. I’ve gone through a lot in the past few years, had a lot of emotional ups and downs. And I’m forever thankful that I have people in my life who have stuck around through it all, supported me, and helped me up when I was down.

What are some things you’re grateful for? 🙂 Feel free to let me know in the comments.
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