Zara shorts // Stuart Weitzman Lowland boots // APC Cable Knit sweater // TOMS sunglasses // M0851 leather bag
Another Thanksgiving is in the books. I spent it passive-aggressively criticizing my mom’s gravy whilst enjoying the company of my family members, all seven of them, as we made our way from charcuterie to pumpkin pie and all culinary stops in between. My point is, this was one of the first Thanksgivings that I truly felt hashtag-blessed, and simultaneously a little guilty for not appreciating the people around me until now.
But it starts with thy self. If you don’t love yourself (truly – not just the love you feel for your face after a good selfie) you cannot love others the way they deserve – and that is, unconditionally. Unconditionally means loving my mom even though her gravy was clumpy and she insists on wearing spandex riding shorts and a tank top while cooking. (Menopause).
Instead of highlighting fault in others so as to cope with my own short-comings, I’ve learn to just accept them as they are without judgement. And that’s the beauty of the Thanksgiving miracle. I dunno, maybe it’s the tryptophan talking, but I couldn’t help but feel all mushy-pony around the Iaboni clan yesterday. And I truly feel thankful for them – they’ve made me the person who I am today.
So – is it time to choose gratitude over taking for granted? I’ve read about the powers of gratitude here and there. I’m sure you’ve all heard of a thing called the “gratitude rock,” you carry around in your pocket and every time you fondle it, it reminds you to be grateful in that moment for all that is around you – even if it’s an unfriendly pair of Ikea delivery guys who act like they’re about to rob you at gunpoint instead of deliver furniture. (I admit, I didn’t have my rock on me that day and pulled an El Chapo on them; pretty sure my apartment is now flagged in their computer system).
But what does gratitude feel like and how do you know when you’ve got it right? Well, to me it feels like a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach like talking an Aleve when you have period cramps. It’s a relief from pain and anxiety, unrest and ennui. It swells up into the back of your throat – you might cry tears of joy – actually, gratitude is Justin Bieber after his MTV music awards performance. When you feel like him in that moment you know you’ve got it right.
Yes, you may have to shove a harness up in between your nether regions to get the initial tear ducts going, but once the tears start to flow you’ll have a whole new appreciation for the things in life that have always been. Sometimes it takes a stroke of success to see that what you’ve always longed for has been right here, all along.
Should we stop taking for granted and start being more grateful? Leave a comment below and share your Justin Bieber tears of joy with me!
