This is 38: Happy Birthday To Me, What I'm Grateful For

Every year around this time I review my previous year and I look ahead at what’s to come. I’ve often shared that full review with you but this time the growth seems more profound, yet subtle. This year there were less big standout moments and yet in this year I moved closer to myself than any other year. That movement towards my truest most authentic self was only possible because of all of the work I put in years prior.

I know that 2020 has been very challenging for many people but for me personally compared with the way 2019 brought me to my knees, 2020 has been growth filled and dare I say it full of surprising delights and joy.

So instead of my standard list of accomplishments (which I still worked through) I’m only going to share a list of what I’m grateful for this year:

I am grateful for

1) My loving family, mom, sister, brother, aunts, uncles and cousins: I have felt so loved and so cared about.

2) RAW (Re-Awakening Wisdom): This group began in January of 2020 and has been meeting every day Monday-Friday since. All of the women that have taken part have left and indelible mark on me. RAW has brought tremendous support, friendships and joy into my life in a tumultuous year.

3) My body and mind are healthy enough to have a consistent running practice. It’s been three years since my body and mind have been healthy enough to allow me to run 3-4 days a week and it helps me feel strong, healthy and beautiful. I am so grateful to be back at this practice

4) This year I discovered a love of self and love of my life as it is that I didn’t know was possible. I am grateful that I’m not picking myself apart, but that I am celebrating who I am and what I’ve evolved into.

5) My work. I’m grateful that I get to do the work I do building Yoke and Abundance, creating space for women. Celebrating creativity, celebrating the wisdom of others, interviewing amazing women for the podcast. Getting to work with so many talented women but also with other creatives like my podcast editor Tumaini Johnson and my designer Hannah Pomphrey.

6) Painting Watercolor: I have been gifting myself watercolor lessons which I have wanted for some time and I LOVE THEM. It turns out I have a little natural talent in that department but even more so I love the process of painting with watercolor even when it’s hard, the practice of it is grounding, and fun.

7) For my home. The safe roof over my head in a neighborhood I love with amazing neighbors and a strong community that looks out for each other. I am grateful for the birds that live around my house and the time the pandemic has gifted me to get to know my space and home better. I’ve also really loved the time I’ve gotten to spend on my tiny screened in back porch.

8) My friends who make my life richer in every way.

9) New experience that happened this year that helped me expand the way I think and the way I am in the world

10) Love, I am grateful for the love that I feel from friends, family, my Yoke and Abundance Community, my deceased ancestors, my community of neighbors.

My life is so rich and so full I could ask for more and I am grateful that I’ve been gifted the ability to see how beautiful, rich, and loving my life is.

Tomorrow I’ll share with you my goals and dreams for this next year to come, but today I want to sit with gratitude and appreciation.