This post is inspired by Karenika. After taking her class at Big Picture Scrapbooking last year, titled Reclaiming My Time, I began reading Karen’s blog. I find her approach to life and the body of work she has accomplished over time to be a gentle guide. I hope this is understood to be a huge compliment: I see her as the epitome of Slow and steady wins the race, or How do you eat an Elephant? … one bite at a time. While she does impressive creative work, she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She doesn’t hold herself to unreasonable standards. And while she hasn’t preached this message directly, my personal takeaway from following her this year has been: why not give it a try? If I want to try to post every day in January, but I only post on 15 days, I will not feel that I have failed. I will marvel at 15 posts in a single month … more than I was able to do in 2010.
Karen’s goals for 2010 seemed overhwelming and unrealistic for my life, which has served as a good reminder that I don’t need to compare myself to anyone else. I need to look at my own life, define my own priorities, and set goals that are attainable for me (and maybe just a little out of reach.. why not give it a try?). Karen’s accomplishments this year are impressive. What I at first recognize as jealousy is in actuality a longing within myself to have accomplished similar goals and be able to look back on my year, and life, with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude.
After a year of sharing three things she was thankful for each day, Karen posted a long list of 100 things she’s thankful for. I thought it was a great way to start of the year, so here is my list!
100 Things I’m Thankful For
1. My hilarious, dear, sweet, loving husband
2. The privilege of not having to work
3. A healthy baby growing in my belly
4. Fresh local milk
5. Stainless steel cookware
6. Orchids
7. Cute paper cocktail napkins
8. Wooden matches
9. Great hairdresser
10. Jeans that make me feel great when I put them on
11. The fact that I love to run
12. Being a good swimmer
13. Mom, Dad, and Kel
14. Unlimited (nearly) hot water
15. Baby quilts
16. Having big teeth and a big smile
17. Air conditioning
18. Delivery food
19. The beach
20. Warm chocolate chip cookies
21. Great paper for writing on
22. Journaling, and my collection of filled journals
23. Heating pad
24. Coffee
25. Sunshine
26. Snuggling back to sleep after the alarm goes off
27. My bike (though I won’t be riding again until after the baby comes)
28. Inspirational bloggers
29. Martha Stewart paint colors
30. Living in Austin
31. B Vitamins
32. My iPhone
33. Our bed
34. Pedicures
35. Days I get to spend with just my mom
36. Frozen pizza
37. Really believing I can do anything
38. Hilarious childhood memories of our normal days
39. Getting a massage
40. Homemade chicken stock
41. Hugs from people I love
42. Car stereo system
43. BabyCenter Community
44. handwritten letters
45. Great mother in law who I get along with
46. Storm sleepmaker app
47. Evernote
48. My Laptop
49. Egyptian cotton sheets
50. The day the fresh sheets go on the bed
51. Colorful umbrellas
52. A whole room for crafting
53. Binder clips
54. Russel + Hazel
55. Cloth napkins
56. Having a dishwasher
57. Big, pretty coffee mugs
58. Unlimited cell phone minutes
59. SMS
60. Drive Thru
61. Being so generally happy and healthy
62. Sunny days in the middle of winter
63. Yoga and meditation
64. Runners high
65. Being left-handed
66. Pandora
67. Brand new journal with blank pages
68. Fresh flowers
69. The way my house smells after baking
70. Laughing with my husband every day
71. Having a great car that is family-ready
72. Pre-lit Christmas trees
73. Big bathtubs
74. Spending holidays with family
75. Heart rate monitor
76. Great sports bras
77. Cashmere
78. Fresh, local ruby red grapefruit
79. Being a creative thinker
80. Living so close to my parents
81. My normal (non-pregnant) figure
82. Living in a safe community
83. Making and wrapping homemade gifts
84. Chocolate croissants
85. GPS
86. Mobile internet access
87. Singing in my car
88. Etta James and Norah Jones and Sarah Bareilles
89. Good cries
90. Candlelight
91. Sunday afternoon two-hour naps
92. Giant bath towels
93. Flip-flops
94. Optimism
95. Moments when it’s clear how well my husband really knows me
96. Valentine’s Day
97. New shoes
98. Spanx
99. Insurance
100. Love! The greatest of these is Love.
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