Gratitude. This is something I need to remember more often, not just on special occasions, like Thanksgiving. Three years ago, I wrote a Gratitude List to think about and remember all the things I am grateful for.
With Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend, I thought it might be nice to look back at the old post and remember what my gratitude list was then and to add any updates, three years later.
Gratitude List – 5 Things I Am Grateful For
1. Family
2015: I am extremely grateful to have my family. Regardless of ups and downs, the fact that I have two amazing kids, a loving husband, both my parents, my siblings, my aunts and other extended family and friends that are like family, makes me feel extremely lucky. I also have a wonderful extended family and I want to make more of a concerted effort to call and FaceTime more often.
2018: Adding to this is the newest addition to our family, my niece Mila. It’s my first time being an aunt/fui and I love it! Mila was born on August 10 and I am so grateful and happy to have her in our lives.
2. Health
2015: Often this is something we take for granted, but good health is so important. I am grateful that right now we are all healthy and I’m doing what I can to make sure we all live a healthy life, with being active and eating our fruits and veggies.
2018: Being healthy and active is something I’m so passionate about. I honestly believe that adding exercise in our lives on a daily basis (in whatever form you enjoy) is so important and can benefit us in so many ways. That’s why next week, I start a new chapter in my career as I embark on a 5 month program to become a personal trainer! (I promise to share more on that later.)
3. Friends
Since moving back to Vancouver, it was like starting from scratch when it came to making friends. It’s taken more than two years, but now I’ve developed some great friendships, both for myself and for our family. I am also making sure to take the time to stay connected with friends that I don’t get to see now because of distance, because it’s important.
2018: I’m still very grateful for all the friendships I’ve made. I may not have a ton of friends, but the ones I do have are amazing. They are supportive, fun and always there for you. As full as life gets, it’s important to make time for those that are important to you.
4. Work
2015: I left my job when we moved back to Vancouver and after a couple months of job hunting, I made the decision to work from home so that I could be available for my kids. It was a rough start, especially emotionally, but now I am so lucky to be doing what I love! My blog is going well and I’m happy to be writing for it as well as other publications on a regular basis. I’m also excited that our South Asian Bloggers Network, is taking off as well. I am one busy mama and I love it.
2018: I am still happy with my work, and even happier now that I’m about to embark on a new career, as I mentioned earlier. I will be still continuing with blogging, SABN and the new online magazine we launched, The South Asian Buzz. I am grateful that I am able to stay at home for my kids and work from home on things I love. I may not make a huge income at this time, but it’s enough for now and I’ve come to terms with it as it was a great struggle for me before.
5. Happiness
2015: Last November I decided be a happier person. I realized that I had everything that I needed in life but I wasn’t as happy as I should be. So since then, I’ve started living and reacting to life differently and I can tell you that I am much happier and more positive and continue to be more so each day.
2018: Being a happier person has been an ongoing journey, in all aspects of my life. But it honestly has been life changing. My husband and I worked on our marriage to help make that better. As I go into my 40’s, and all the hormone changes begin to occur, it has been a challenge to not let it spiral downwards, but that is something I am actively working on too.
6. Travel
I had to add a number 6 to my gratitude list because travel is another thing I am very grateful for. We have begun focussing more on experiences as opposed to things and travel is a big part of that. We’ve had some great trip this year like LA for spring break, Winnipeg and Penticton in the summer and a cruise over the Christmas holidays.
Do you make a gratitude list or journal? What is one thing you are thankful or grateful for?
Such a great gratitude list! I actually started keeping a gratitude journal earlier this month after reading Oprah’s book – What I know for Sure. It’s definitely made a huge positive impact on my life. Thank you for sharing yours.
That’s wonderful Reshma!
All the things on your list are excellent reasons to be grateful. I envy your relationship with such a large family. Mine is dwindling. But, I’m grateful to have lived such an interesting life.
I am grateful for a doctor who gave my mother in law (late 80’s) a rush appointment yesterday and spent time with her with an issue that seemed on the surface to be one thing, but turned out to be possible pneumonia. The doctor sent her to the emergency room and she was hospitalized.
Great list – thanks for sharing! I would have to list everything you did. Plus add a little more to the family list to say how thankful and honored I am to be a grandmother with two adorable granddaughters (ages 1 and 3). It’s one of those roles I never knew I would love so much until it happened!
I guess parents and grandparents are roles with feeling that you never truly understand until you become them~
Love that list, Salma! I’m thankful for pretty much all the things you listed as well. Practicing gratitude on a daily basis has really helped me realize how lucky I really am.
That’s wonderful that you do it on a regular basis Parita!
Ooh, I love gratitude lists! Wahoo! Well done in making your dream of working at home a reality! That is something I am longing to be able to do in the future. Bloggers like you give me hope!
Really loved reading this Salma!
Thanks Sarah!
Wot a great list. Everytime I visit ur blog, u give me a new perspective. U r a great human being and I am glad I found you and your blog. Keep rocking. I’m really excited abt ur new career path. More power to u.
Aditi
http://Www.sosaree.in
thanks you so much for your kind words Aditi!
Love your gratitude list. My list is as similar to yours.
Thank you 🙂