Grateful.

I've taken a lot of things for granted in my life. I've realized this lately. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd take a moment to step back and ponder all the little things in life that I've taken for granted.



First off, my freedom. I recently watched a movie about people living in North Korea, and wow. I am so grateful that I can say what I want, do what I want, when I want and not have to worry about a governmental spy finding out and taking away those freedoms. I'm so blessed to live in a country free of oppressive governments (our government may not be perfect, but if you take a moment to consider what other nations deal with, you stop complaining).


I'm grateful for a closest filled with clothes, and a cupboard filled with food. I'm grateful I don't lay awake at night wondering where my next meal will come from, that I have everything I need. There's a roof over my head, water coming from the pipes, and the lights turn on when I flip the switch (most of them at least..haha).
I'm grateful that I'm able to go to college, let alone one of the greatest and most beautiful universities in the world,. I'm grateful for class, and tests, and papers--though I complain WAY too much about them. I'm grateful for the opportunities I have to learn, and expand the knowledge I have of things in this life. I'm grateful for the wonderful professors and outstanding facilities at this University, and for the atmosphere of peace and love of learning that IS BYU.

I'm grateful for this BEAUTIFUL Earth. Seriously. This world is amazing. Trees, plants, mountains, cliffs, rock formations, rivers, streams, flowers of every shade of beauty... When I take a moment to stop and acknowledge the wonder all around, it takes my breathe away.

I'm also grateful for the MIRACLE of the human body. This semester I've taken Anatomy, and been able to SEE all of the millions of little intricate details that that make up each and every one of us. I REALLY don't understand how ANY scientist can deny the presence of an almighty God. I'm not entirely denying Evolution in the whole, but all evolution was DEFINITELY guided by the hand of God. Take that Darwin.

I'm grateful that I'm healthy, and I'm grateful for times of illness--they make me more grateful for things I don't normally think to be grateful for, like breathing. Breathing is great.

I'm grateful to have grown up in the good 'ole city of Mentor in the LOVELY state of Ohio, where the schools were good and the neighborhoods were safe. There are some incredible people in that wonderful state, who truly molded me into the person I am today, and for all of them, I am grateful.

I'm grateful in general for the thousand of individuals who have been present in my life, changing me for the better. I'd start to name them, but that's another challenge for another day. I love them all. I love my family, and I love my friends. They're the best a girl could ask for.

Life's hard sometimes. We all know that, but there are also SO MANY reasons to rejoice. When it comes down to it, we're blessed. We're alive and well, what more can you ask for?