The World Around Us (#170)

I’ve been having a tough time waiting for my VISA and I feel restricted just sitting at home. There’s a whole world out there to explore and I’m sitting in the same room I’ve lived in for 15 odd years of my life. I’m doing my best to be grateful for my present but I know I messed up. I’m anxious to get back to England and resume my internship but I know that’ll come with time. Patience is my answer and a couple deep breaths will help me get there.

06.11.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Change
  2. Being at UMass
  3. Learning
  4. Trust
  5. Honesty
  6. Time to relax
  7. Warm socks
  8. Nights by the fire
  9. Reminders to be patient
  10. Good music
  11. The old wooden fence surrounding my house
  12. Time outside
  13. The fan next to my bed
  14. Anything my dad grills for dinner
  15. Gratitude
  16. Good advice
  17. Cereal snack after school
  18. Time at the gym
  19. A couple deep breaths
  20. Being alive
  21. Daydreams
  22. Car ride adventures
  23. Trying new things
  24. My family
  25. My here and now

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image from my trip to Washington. What an incredible place.

Why I Love Music (#169)

I’ve had a pretty tough time waiting for my VISA to process and to get back to England. Although I’m not missing much, I feel like I’m waisting this incredible opportunity. I’m grateful I was home for some pretty important family moments but this isn’t how I saw my summer going. It will place even more importance on being present and making the most of the time I have in England when I return.

I titled this blog, “Why I Love Music” because I think it’s been an important piece of my sanity. I’m someone who will over-analyze a situation without any prompting. My brain is CONSTANTLY processing information and I am conscious of my surroundings almost to a fault. Music not only is something I love to just listen to and enjoy, but it can certainly help keep my thoughts positive too.

This is a list of 25 songs that make me happy and at peace.

Grateful they exist, grateful I find meaning in them, and I’m grateful I can share them with others who may feel the same.

06.10.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. The Days That Are To Come – John Vincent III
  2. Yellow Lights – Harry Hudson
  3. I Hear Your Song, Sweetness – George Taylor
  4. Grows Old – Thirdstory
  5. I Need A Forest Fire – James Blake / Bon Iver
  6. Downtown – Majical Cloudz
  7. Anchor – Novo Amor
  8. Things Will Get Better – Vian Izak
  9. Cherry Wine – Hozier
  10. Rut – The Killers
  11. Roll Like Thunder – Jake Wells
  12. Animals & Angels – Joy Oladokun
  13. Pink + White – Frank Ocean
  14. Rise – Jason Mraz
  15. JOYFUL – X Ambassadors
  16. St. Ides – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  17. Reckless Lover – Handsome Ghost
  18. You Can’t Rush Your Healing – Trevor Hall
  19. The Adventure – Angels & Airwaves
  20. I’ll Stay (Carla’s Song) – Matt Stinton
  21. Hope – Honeywater
  22. Patience – The Lumineers
  23. Bruises – Lewis Capaldi
  24. Underground – Cody Fry
  25. Treasure Chest – The Corcoran Brothers

Trust me, picking JUST 25 songs was hard enough but if you like my music and are interested in more, check out my profile here.

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

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A featured image I’ve used before but a perfect way to end my day. Listening to music and watching the sunset always calmed me down and will be something I am always grateful for when thinking about this past year. 

Another Day To Be Grateful For (#168)

06.09.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Celebrating my friends
  2. My awareness
  3. Honesty
  4. Yard games
  5. Drinking with friends
  6. Getting back to the gym
  7. People who show me how
  8. The smell of fresh cut grass
  9. Family dinner stories
  10. Laughter
  11. Football (both kinds)
  12. A made bed and a clean room
  13. Clarity and understanding
  14. Good communication
  15. Signs from the Universe
  16. A good book on tape
  17. My introvert time
  18. Orientation as a new student and an OL
  19. The quiet breeze
  20. Good teachers and mentors
  21. Leadership lessons
  22. My beard in the winter
  23. No traffic
  24. The warmth of the sun
  25. The here and now

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image from the beach in California. Grateful for the sun and the warmth. The beach will always be one of my favorite places.

Where I Am And Where I’m Headed (#167)

I think it’s easy to stress about the future. I could go nuts thinking about all the possible outcomes and what exactly I have to do to get there. There should be time and space for planning ahead but learning to let go of expectations is something I’m still working on.

I don’t have to have life figured out by 23 and that shouldn’t be my expectation. If I truly am going to be patient with my process then I need to be okay with embracing the unknown on my journey from where I am to where I’m headed.

06.08.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Being outside
  2. A healthy cat
  3. Safe travels
  4. Friendly faces
  5. A house to myself
  6. My gratitude
  7. New projects
  8. My friends from BSU
  9. The sunshine
  10. Summer by the turf
  11. Sharing music
  12. Pizza on the porch
  13. The breeze from the water
  14. Home cooking
  15. A made bed
  16. Clean water
  17. Lessons from travel
  18. Old photo albums
  19. Crimson Hall memories
  20. Talking things out
  21. Time for hiking
  22. Sharing stories
  23. Books about change
  24. A full house
  25. The present moment

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image of the freezing water running down the side of the hill. A fun day and a cool shot with my brother from earlier this year.

Follow Your Path (#166)

I think I’ve started to appreciate change more when I try to do something new everyday. Routine can be helpful but can also be binding. It’s about finding balance somewhere in between.

06.07.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. A little help from my brother
  2. The sunshine and fresh air
  3. Something from the grill
  4. The feel of grass between my toes
  5. Games at Warren Conference Center
  6. Saturday morning refereeing
  7. Piano lessons
  8. Good lyrics
  9. Skipping stones
  10. Nights at the train station
  11. Lessons from writing
  12. Books on tape
  13. A clear night sky
  14. My growth over time
  15. Waking up to the sun
  16. A second chance
  17. A few deep breaths
  18. FIFA tournaments with my friends
  19. A good story
  20. Hard work and determination
  21. Live music
  22. The sound of my fan laying in bed
  23. A beautiful view
  24. My brother
  25. The present moment

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image of my climb in Judas Tree National Park.

Do What Works (#165)

06.06.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Old man basketball
  2. Breakfast for dinner
  3. Making a plan with my mom
  4. Getting work done for Essex
  5. Music before bed
  6. This comfy couch
  7. Time with my family
  8. NBA Basketball
  9. Clean Water
  10. Meeting new people
  11. Laughter
  12. Basketball in the driveway
  13. My Education
  14. Mentors who’ve helped my development
  15. The leadership institute
  16. Lunch at Tilly
  17. Hanging out on Boyden
  18. RCC staff meetings
  19. RHA Wednesdays
  20. Working with first year students
  21. Sharing stories with my mom
  22. Time for hiking
  23. Riding my bike to the marathon
  24. Hometown pizza
  25. The here and now

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image of the black sand and long coastline in Iceland. A beautiful place to just sit and reflect.

Life Is About Change (#164)

I’ve had a really difficult time writing about gratitude this past week. I have enjoyed being home and the time off has been the break I have been looking for. That being said, this was completely unexpected.

I’m grateful this has all coincided with my brother’s graduation but this was never the original plan. On Wednesday of last week, I got an email saying I needed to return back to the U.S to fix an issue with my work VISA. This news was devastating. I wanted nothing more than to just BE in England this summer. Living and working at the University of Essex was a dream come true. I felt like I was letting people down like I was letting myself down for not catching this before it became an issue.

I felt ashamed that I was back in Ashland, just waiting for my VISA to get processed. After talking things through and really taking a breath to consider the entire situation, I know I can make this work. Soon enough, I’ll be back in the UK working as an intern in the same position like nothing had happened. I’m currently working remotely from home in the meantime. I’m grateful for my parents and their unconditional support. This is something I know I need to learn from.

The reason I titled this blog about change is that none of this was the original plan. I was never supposed to be home for my brother’s graduation or these special moments with my family. Yet, here I am. Life doesn’t always work out the way we think it will but with a little bit of patience and a positive mindset, I’ve found myself here, happy.

The waiting game is tough and I feel bad about my lack of presence in England but I’ll be back before I know it. I’ve gotten some really good advice from friends and family about the situation and I’m grateful to have these people in my corner. All I know is that I just have to take this life one day at a time and the rest will figure itself out.

06.05.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Ice cream trips with Mel
  2. Family dinner
  3. Relaxing with my cat
  4. Good timing
  5. New music and good playlists
  6. FaceTimes with Bryan
  7. Time with my cat
  8. Monopoly nights with my dad and brother
  9. The green trees and foliage around my house
  10. Honesty
  11. Trying again
  12. Reassurance and support
  13. Positive people
  14. Catching up on Gratitude
  15. The change of seasons and warm weather
  16. The authors who inspired this list
  17. Safe travels
  18. Good health
  19. Runs through town
  20. Summer Grilling
  21. Learning something new
  22. A couple deep breaths
  23. Good advice and helpful reminders
  24. The smell of the flowers outside my home
  25. The here and now

 

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

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Featured image of a building in London. I appreciated the architecture, color, and angle of the building. Something I’m looking forward to returning to when I go back to the UK this summer. 

Catching Up (#163)

This blog comes a few days late for a very good reason. I’ve been enjoying myself being home and ad quite a bit going on. I’ve done this once before but I’ll use my journal to catch up and keep my gratitude list promise.

06.04.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Being prepared
  2. Lunch with my mom
  3. Heart to hearts
  4. The cleansing rain
  5. My friends who check in
  6. Safe flights
  7. A good plan
  8. Naps when I can take them
  9. A little support
  10. Time with my family
  11. People who are on time
  12. The tree outside my home I used to climb
  13. Ashland Pizza Palace nights
  14. Sharing things
  15. Popcorn and movies
  16. Chill music and good headphones
  17. A clean car
  18. My opportunities at UMass
  19. People who believe in me
  20. Peace and quiet
  21. Time to journal
  22. A good night’s rest
  23. Home cooked meals
  24. My team at Essex
  25. The precious present

 

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

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Featured image of a rose given to me one night in London. I enjoy filling this page with color and this certainly does the job. 

Gratitude In Helping Others (#161)

I love being able to support my friends and family, especially because they do so much for me. Knowing I’m helping them always makes me feel better.

05.02.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. A clean home
  2. Old family pictures and videos
  3. Waking up to the sound of birds
  4. The warmth of the sun
  5. Buffalo chicken anything
  6. Daybreak burger trips at BSU
  7. Driving with the windows down
  8. Being outside
  9. Good music and nothing to do
  10. Learning about gratitude
  11. Something new and different
  12. Coaches and mentors
  13. Summer on the cape
  14. Warm cozy blankets
  15. Blueberry muffins
  16. Vinyl records with my parents
  17. Melted cheese
  18. Inspiration in all its forms
  19. Time with my family
  20. Watching the stars
  21. Hot showers
  22. Home cooked food
  23. Healthy habits
  24. Checking in
  25. Today and every day

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image of the group of people I went to Cambodia with. Each of them hold a special place in my heart.

What Do You Call Home? (#160)

I’ve made posts about “Home” before. What it feels like, who you share it with. It’s an important feeling to come back to. It’s where you can use gratitude to keep you grounded and people to remind you how important the present is.

06.01.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. My parents
  2. A cool night’s breeze
  3. The summer months
  4. All that May brought
  5. Home cooking
  6. Shared laughter
  7. Catching up
  8. Warm blankets
  9. Night drives with the windows down
  10. Ice cream trips with Mel
  11. Honesty and good communication
  12. Trust and openness
  13. Getting a ride
  14. Soccer in stone park growing up
  15. Bike rides in the circle back home
  16. Not having to set an alarm
  17. Comfy pillows
  18. My cat Ned, and the happiness he brings me
  19. Talking Westworld with my dad
  20. Being home
  21. How the sun wakes me up
  22. How the birds chirp nearby
  23. How quiet the street is
  24. How lucky I am for so many reasons
  25. The precious present

As always, check out my first blog, 25 Things I’m Grateful For (#1) to know why I’m writing this list and why I want you to start yours.

Featured image of my own. My family. Wouldn’t be here without these people.