A few days ago, Lilly had a field trip to my old school. The fourth-grade students read stories to the preschoolers, and it was just as sweet to observe as it sounds. I almost felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. I saw favorite teachers of mine and got to spend time catching up with them.
One of the teachers asked me how I liked (still) living in the same small town I grew up in, and I honestly answered her:
As a young adult, I never thought the small town life would be enough for me.
I moved far away to college, and never thought I’d return. My first real job was as a personal trainer at the local small town YMCA. I had job interviews across the country during that time. One potential job even led me to the last round of interviews, only to receive disappointing news. I was always wanting more for my life. Always wishing for other things.
Then I got pregnant with Lilly, and that all changed. I started thinking about my childhood in this small town. The simplicities of it that weren’t jaded by growing up too quickly, or the secular opinions of the “real world”. I truly got to be a child, to explore, safely, in the small community that knew me and loved me simply because I lived here.
It was that same community that looked out for me. That told my mom when I crossed the street on my own without her permission and played a huge role in raising me.
Why am I telling you all of this?
It’s so easy to lose perspective of how wonderful your life is. Often times we spend time and brain space wanting more. Wishing for a “better” life than we are living. If only we had __________ we’d be happy. If only we lived ___________ we’d be happy. The list goes on.
It’s so easy to get into this habit of wanting over appreciating. Especially with the holiday season, it seems that we easily tend to lean towards the wishing and wanting for, the need to impress house guests, & our Christmas lists instead of appreciating what is surrounding us: our family, the life we have been blessed with, you name it.
(Lilly’s Outfit: Dress, Tights, Shoes//My Outfit: Dress(similar), Booties, Earrings, Purse(similar))
My boss always has the cutest monthly challenges for our team. Last month we had a style challenge, and this month we have a Gratitude Challenge that she found on the Glitter Guide blog.
As Thanksgiving is approaching I thought it would be fun to share weekly a few things that I am grateful for as a way to refocus my own life on the blessings that have been given to me. So today here are mine:
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I am thankful for unanswered prayers; that God has bigger, better plans for my life than even I do.
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I am thankful that the same amazing community who raised me, will play a huge role in now raising my daughter.
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I am thankful for my husband, who works so hard for our family, and has planned, saved & researched to provide the best life for us.
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I am thankful for coworkers who inspire me and challenge me to grow, not only within my job but in my own personal life.
My challenge to you today is to refocus on the blessings in your life with a grateful heart. Appreciate your life a little bit more. Stop and notice the small things. You will be surprised at how much goodness there is around you!
xoxo,
Kalyn
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