Every Thursday, there is a Twitter hashtag for #ThankfulThursday. People thank new followers, readers, friends, or offer up thankful thoughts and statements.

I try to live in a state of gratitude most of the time. Of course, I am human so I’m not always successful in that endeavour. Still, I wanted to write a new list of gratitude for the day, along with some quotes/thoughts/stream of consciousness rambling. 🙂

I feel grateful to have all that I need, even if it’s not all that I want.

I am grateful for every aching muscle, after being able to do the work to create the ache.

I am grateful for my brilliant, quirky children. Even when they talk back, or leave me feeling as though I am attempting to herd cats.

I am grateful to be approaching my second anniversary with the love of my life. I like to say it’s really our 14th anniversary, because the cancer years should count like dog years. (Really, they should – there’s so much packed into them.)

I am grateful, with every breath, every moment. I feel alive in a state of love, even though things can be imperfect at times.

My birthday is coming up on Halloween, and I am contemplating where I am and where I want to be. I like to reassess my goals and my journey as I approach a new year of living. It keeps me grounded and on track (well, mostly on track). Most years, I have experienced a few cringing moments of near-regret. This year, I find myself unembarrassed. I speak my mind, I stand by my beliefs, and I am building a career I love. There’s really nothing embarrassing in that. Some of my interactions with others could have been better: I could have been the better version of myself, instead of allowing anger to take hold. I cannot beat myself up over that, because I’m aware of it and working to be better.

“Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.” ~ Alfred Painter

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” ~ John F. Kennedy

Thank you, all: for reading, cheering me on, sharing your stories. Blessings… My life has been enriched by sharing this forum with each and every one of you.