When the World Pauses, I Remember to Give Thanks | I'm Grateful

Today, I am choosing gratitude. Not just the kind that comes in fleeting moments but the kind that settles deep into my bones, grounding me—I say it out loud, "I'm grateful".

I woke up to the quiet hum of the world—snow resting on the branches outside my window, the steady breath of a new day unfolding. I had a warm bed, a roof over my head, and the freedom to step into my morning without urgency. These are things I don’t take lightly. And, let’s talk about waking up. Not everyone gets that blessing, so I’ll take it—even if it came with a mild existential crisis before my first cup of coffee. The sunny, frosty weather is lovely, provided I don't have to start my morning by scraping ice off my windshield; I'll consider it a blessing.

I’m grateful for the people in my life. The ones who show up, who ask the real questions, who don’t just settle for the “I’m fine” routine. The ones who send me memes at 2 AM because they know I’ll appreciate the absurdity. The ones who hold space for me, even when I don’t know how to ask for it. And yes, I’m even grateful for that one friend who never answers texts in a timely manner because, let’s be honest, I’m guilty of it too.

I think about the voices of my ancestors, the ones who survived so I could be here, writing my own story. Their resilience is in me, whether I acknowledge it daily or not.

I’m grateful for the work I get to do—the way it connects me to my culture, to my community, to something bigger than myself. There was a time I felt lost, unsure of my path, but now I see how every step led me to this moment. Even the difficult ones had purpose.

And then there are the little things. The smell of freshly brewed coffee in the quiet of the morning. A book that pulls me in so deep I forget about my phone. A song that reminds me of who I am. That first sip of coffee when it’s still hot (because let’s be honest, reheating coffee three times in one morning is a universal struggle).

Gratitude doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It doesn’t mean I don’t have days where I want to throw my phone in the river and go live in a cabin. But it does mean that even on the hard days, I can find something to hold onto. And today, I’m holding onto all of it—the messy, the beautiful, and the wonderfully absurd.

I’m grateful for my mistakes too. The bad decisions that turned into valuable lessons. The awkward moments that now make for great stories. The times I doubted myself but still showed up. Growth is rarely pretty, but it’s always worth it.

I’m grateful for laughter—the kind that makes my stomach hurt, the kind that sneaks up on me at the most unexpected moments. I’m grateful for the humor in everyday life, for the way the universe has a habit of reminding me not to take things too seriously. Like when I confidently walk into a room and forget why I’m there. Or when I give someone heartfelt advice and then completely fail to follow it myself.

And most of all, I’m grateful for another chance. Another sunrise. Another story to write. Another reason to keep going. Life isn’t perfect, and neither am I, but today, I am here. And for that, I am endlessly, ridiculously, unapologetically grateful.

~smy