It’s that time of the year again- the time when we gather around the table with a glass of wine, some delicious food and of course, our closest friends and family. It’s the time of the year when we remind ourselves exactly why we are so blessed and for all the reasons we are thankful. As cliché as it is- I can’t help but express how thankful I am for the important things in my life.

1. I am oh so thankful for my handsome, wonderful significant other- David. Just about every hour of every day, he does something that leaves me questioning how I got so lucky. He’s mature, down to earth, humble, and the kindest human I’ve ever met. He keeps me grounded when I’m about to lose it, nudges me along the dusty path when I’ve lost my way, finds reasons to keep my spirits up and most of all- makes me want to be a better person. He’s my travel buddy, adventure seeker, fellow music enthusiast and is always up for a breakfast burrito on the beach. This week and every week- he is what I am most thankful for.

 

2. My Family. My crazy, wonderful, extra-large family. They are the foundation for which I was built on. They are the ones who will be there when my walls crumble and of course, will always be there to help rebuild every single time. Even though I only get to see them twice a year- I know they are only a phone call away. A thankful list, would never be complete without them.

 

3. It’s strange- when you feel completely at home nowhere near an actual home. But, you feel at home because of whom you’re with – your Friends. Friends that shed the superficial layer you put on for the general public. They strip you down to your truest being; allow you to be who you are, and if you aren’t sure who that is- they allow you to find out. I love and am thankful for the friends that are a better ab workout than crunches. The friends that no matter the distance between the months you’ve seen each other- it feels like it was just the other day. Nothing changes. I love those friends. I am eternally thankful.

 

4. My first love, dance. I don’t know if I want to know a life that doesn’t include dance. Not only have I been fortunate enough to make this passion a job but also I am also fortunate enough to be able to continue dancing myself. This beautiful mix of art and sport has taught me about hard work, perseverance, confidence, health and so much more. Without it, my life would feel incomplete. How lucky am I to be able to live out my passion day after day?

 

5. My beautiful home- Southern California. Ever since I was a little girl, my heart was set on California. Taking a few detours, I somehow found myself there in my mid-twenties. I know that even when I feel like my world is ending- life isn’t really that bad. They say, “there are no bad days in San Diego” and while there will always be bad days in personal lives- the city as a whole will always be there with the sun shining on your face- reminding you, there is always something to be happy about. I am so thankful that Dave and I get to live in one of the sunniest cities in America.

 

6. Since I am thankful for the life I live it would only make sense to be thankful for the opportunity to work. Yes, opportunity. Too often, the “millennials” or my generation feels like we are so entitled. We protest when things don’t go our way, we protest when someone offends us and we riot like stuck up brats. As a whole, our generation believes that we are entitled to a $15 minimum wage. It’s pathetic. I’m embarrassed to be part of this generation more often than not. Instead, I feel very lucky and thankful to have a job. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to work hard, to feel accomplished when I am rewarded a raise because of my performance rather than feeling it is owed to me. I am thankful to be able to work when I know so many are out of work and many more are striking to be owed more.

 

7. “To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.” Traveling. I am thankful for the abilities to be able to see things near and far, to explore and to create stories out of these adventures. I am so thankful for travel; the truest and purest way to gain knowledge.

 

8. Though I get frustrated with the way things are run, I am thankful to be born and raised an American. I love democracy, freedom, the Constitution and living in an absolutely beautiful country. Even when our freedoms truly are limited, and we are flirting with the government to censor our speech- I still love this country. I’m thankful that despite our growing bind sheep ways- for another year at least- we hold on to what the forefather’s yearned for and our troops have fought for- individual liberties.

 

9. It’s amazing how much of my life has been defined by a chord, a note or a tune. My love, my friends, and my character: relationships that were truly started and grew out of one common interest – music. From following around Dave Matthews Band, to finding new loves in bands such as Zac Brown Band, Imagine Dragons, Mumford & Sons, The Foo Fighters and Of Monsters and Men- music has been a defining factor in my life. Like dance and travel, it is something I will never grow tired of, something I will never feel guilty about spending time or money with and something that I will never give us. Music gives us hope during the dark times, reminds us of the good, evokes pure and raw emotion and inspires for times to come. Music is true love.

 

10. Life– because if you aren’t thankful and bursting at the seams with joy over your life, you best be changing something in 2016. Your life is the only thing you truly own. It’s yours- take the blank pages of your life and write, draw and paint them exactly how you desire. My life is something I give thanks for every single day. No matter how low the low’s – there is always a moon in the sky and a sunrise in the morning. My life is so damn beautiful, I am oh so thankful.

 

xo!