“Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver white winters that melt into springs…
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad…
I simply remember my favorite things
and then I don’t feel so bad”
I adore this song and the lasting impact Julie Andrews has made on the world. The Sound of Music is one of my all-time favorite musicals, and the lyrics of this song are both whimsical and timeless.
Life can become overwhelmingly challenging, and it’s easy to stay wrapped up in what’s not going right or what’s next on my to do list. But when I have a quiet moment for reflection, I like to focus on the things I’m grateful for. This practice shifts my mood and reminds me of all the GOOD in my world, replacing stress with appreciation. Did you know that several studies in psychology have proven that anxiety and gratitude cannot exist at the same time?
So, let’s focus on something beautiful today. Here’s a list of things that I absolutely love:
- My health and the freedom it brings
- The autonomy to make my own decisions
- Love and support from my family & friends
- My poodle and my chihuahua rat terrier mix. Dogs truly are (wo)man’s best friend!
- Natural resources like water and the land that’s supports our very existence
- The joy of exploring, hiking, and swimming in nature
- Kind people who share smiles and compliments
- My favorite colors: yellow, green, pink, orange. Actually, anything bright sparks joy! 🌈
- Inspiration that drives my creativity
- Coffee to fuel my American ways and tea to comfort my British beginnings
- Vegetable gardening
- Drinking boba
- The duality of discipline and grace in ballet
- Girl-talk and giggles
- Starting my day in silence and setting intentions for the day ahead
- Getting lost in a good fiction book
- Listening to educational podcasts
- Cooking with whole foods and herbs
- Daydreaming about future adventures
Ok now your turn to make a list. What are you grateful for?