Tag: learning

Gratitude

Feels Like Home (#16)

By Jacob Ames on

After a long day of traveling and some time away, it’s good to be back.

Home to me is a really special word. Home can be a place but it can also be a feeling. It can be where you grew up or it can be a feeling you share. Home can be something you always return to, where you feel safest. For me, being an introvert means it’s important to have time to recharge on my own. I do that when I’m home and I know it’s what I need to be my best self. Whether you find solace in surrounding yourself with the people you share a last name with or your secret place in the park, it’s important to recognize and be grateful for it.

01.08.18

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. Having 4 safe flights and returning home to my cat
  2. My dad waiting for me at the airport to pick me up and returning home to my family
  3. Time by the ocean and the smell of the breeze
  4. Dancing of all kinds
  5. Sleeping in my own bed
  6. Buffalo Chicken anything
  7. New England Patriots football
  8. A new semester at UMass
  9. A good cheeseburger
  10. Listening to vinyls on the record player
  11. My friends who support and encourage me
  12. Sports and how they inspire people
  13. The warmth of the sun
  14. A good pen to journal with
  15. Comfy pillows and long socks
  16. Free samples in the super market
  17. How much a couple deep breaths can help
  18. A good show to binge on Netflix
  19. Sunsets and mountains
  20. Feeling cozy
  21. The feeling after a hot shower
  22. Vacations on the cape
  23. Chocolate desserts
  24. The little moments
  25. Being exactly where I’m supposed to be
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Gratitude

Take A Moment (#14)

By Jacob Ames on

Today, my plans changed. I was originally going to go to Catalina Island and was very excited about the hike I had planned. Instead, I spent the day getting a much needed massage and my first day at a spa. I did in fact spoil myself but I’d rather focus on why these plans changed.

For me, I found what I needed to on my first hike. I learned so much at Joshua Tree and didn’t want to spoil anything by going on another glorified day hike. I learned this wasn’t the experience I was looking for and felt like I was failing to meet my morals and standards by doing this hike at Catalina.

Today, I want to emphasis taking a moment. I personally went to the spa but you can take care of yourself in other ways. Self care is extremely important and should be a staple of your routine. Sometimes it’s nice to indulge and take an entire day at the spa but there are other ways to do this. Watching your favorite series on Netflix, cooking your favorite meal, sleeping in, are all ways you can take care of yourself to find easier ways to recognize gratitude. Ultimately, it’s up to you and that choice gives you power.

01.06.17

Today I’m grateful for….

  1. Late night pancakes
  2. A day at the spa
  3. Eggs of all shapes and sizes
  4. Seeing new places
  5. Self-care and self-love
  6. My family and my uncle
  7. Playing Soccer growing up
  8. Good music and Spotify
  9. The moon and the stars
  10. No traffic
  11. Staying in LA for free
  12. Peanut butter, always
  13. The geek trees and color in Southern California as Massachusetts continues to be hit by snow
  14. Dogs that let me pet them
  15. Cereal after school
  16. Trying new things
  17. Live music and artists that play with passion
  18. Meet some YouTube idols
  19. The existence of Chicken Parmesan
  20. For my bed after a long day outside
  21. My grandparents
  22. Be there for my family and my younger brother when things don’t go according to plan
  23. Popping your ears after a long day
  24. People who reach out when you need support
  25. Today and every day on vacation with my Uncle
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Gratitude

Be Kind, You’re Learning (#13)

By Jacob Ames on

I haven’t been able to truly express just how different this trip to LA has been then I expected. I’ve written about living in the present and being adaptable but today was something else. I had a complete mental shift coming down from my hike today and it was more than I could have hoped for. Today was filled with learning and the time and grace to process all of it. I made a mistake in some ways and I need to own that. I have enjoyed every second so far of this trip but I was wrong for other reasons I’m still processing. I have a lot to learn and so much life to live. I’m still developing my personal identities and have a lot of maturing and growing to do as I enter the next phase of my life. I’m excited to share more with you all. Be kind to yourself and find gratitude in all of the little moments.

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01.05.18

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. My time at Joshua Tree National Park
  2. My family for letting me process with them
  3. Getting In-N-Out Burger twice today
  4. Killer Sunsets and long drives
  5. Learning from mistakes
  6. Water
  7. Time to journal
  8. Meeting new people and making new friends
  9. Wedding Invites
  10. Healing of all kinds
  11. A future with so many options
  12. Parks and Rec and how hard it makes me laugh
  13. A helpful map and kind Park Rangers
  14. My time in Washington hiking the side of Mt. Rainier
  15. How music can make you feel
  16. A day to relax and reset
  17. Ashland Pizza Palace Calzones
  18. Bike rides from my apartment to the gym
  19. NAPS
  20. The Earth we all share
  21. Technology and Green Energy
  22. The powers of the sun
  23. The slightest of tans I got from my hike today
  24. The inventor of the Drive Thru window
  25. New perspectives and each moment that brought me here

More pictures and stories to come

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Gratitude

Start Your List (#12)

By Jacob Ames on

It doesn’t have to be 25, it doesn’t even have to be 10. Finding time to think about gratitude at the end of your day can be powerful and if it’s just one thing, one person, that makes you thankful then I think that’s important.

01.04.18

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. Soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies
  2. My dad and the rest of my family
  3. The time and space I need as an introvert
  4. Fresh air and sunshine
  5. Naps of all lengths of time
  6. The support I get from my friends
  7. Gym time on vacation
  8. Music with relatable and powerful lyrics
  9. Dogs of all kinds (sorry Ned)
  10. Discovering new blogs!
  11. Trying new foods
  12. Tools that support my mental health
  13. My immunity to poison ivy
  14. A full moon on a cloudless night
  15. Lewis Watson and The Morning album
  16. A good night’s rest and waking up feeling refreshed
  17. Patient people who are willing to talk things out
  18. The creation of Honey Mustard
  19. The feeling I get when I look down at my beads from Cambodia
  20. My internship with Swift Kick and my ‘intern soulmate’, Sami
  21. Donuts after basketball games with my dad
  22. A moment to breath
  23. Taking the time to be prepared
  24. Soup when I’m sick
  25. To be where I am
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Gratitude

Climb To New Heights (#11)

By Jacob Ames on

The road you travel is sure to have its challenges. Life wouldn’t be complete without those moments of doubt, questioning, and failure. I think why I enjoy blogging and journaling so much is because it gives me the chance to reflect. I can look back on this road with gratitude and recognize I’ve come so far. The same is true for hiking.

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Whatever the peak you are trying to reach, you have the strength to get there. When we attain those goals, we make new ones and set our sights higher. This is when it can get difficult for people. So often we get comfortable and that can lead to complacency. I want to challenge you to climb to new heights and set goals for 2018. We can set a low bar and be proud when we’ve accomplished what we’ve already been able to do, or we can go one step further. You can choose to be vulnerable and set goals that require hard work and follow through. You can set your sights on new peaks and new opportunities to climb higher than you ever have before. Look back at how far you’ve already climbed and how this road has tested you. You might be surprised as to what you find.

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01.03.18

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. Sunsets on the beach
  2. Being outdoors and good hikes
  3. Nutella Pizza
  4. The smell of new books and what they hold inside
  5. Laying down and listening to music
  6. Time at the gym
  7. The people at UMass who are going to finally help me turn the light off outside of my apartment
  8. Reading new blogs and learning new skills
  9. Our Tuk-Tuk drivers in Cambodia for making us laugh and teaching us Khmer
  10. Amusement Parks and Rollercoasters
  11. Jijutsu teachers this past summer
  12. Easy Mac late at night
  13. A good series or movie on Netflix
  14. My dog cousin Shayna
  15. Touching the Pacific Ocean today
  16. Getting my Graduate Degree for free
  17. Brownies in ice cream
  18. My family of course
  19. My introvert time
  20. Boston Celtics Basketball
  21. Friends from home
  22. Crowded car rides with friends and dog
  23. Laughing with friends and getting free pizza
  24. Yurba Mate Latte
  25. Today. The here and now.
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Gratitude

No Expectations (#9)

By Jacob Ames on

Today was perfect. It was the first full day with my Uncle in LA and we did so much. Packing so much into one day has left me exhausted but grateful above all else.

Coming into this trip I had no idea what to expect. I thought this vacation was going to go one way and it has gone in a very different direction. I’m so happy with how my time has been spent here and none of it was planned this way.

To me, this emphasizes the need to live in the present. Let go of expectations of the future and the rigidity involved in making plans. Let life happen and go with the flow. Be grateful for each moment along the way and it won’t matter if your day is planned to the second or you just have an idea of what you’d like to do. Take a deep breath, and make the most of every moment.

This was the best way to start my 2018 and I hope you were able to do the same.

01.01.18

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. Morning mediation
  2. Organic fruit and healthy food
  3. Funny stories and uncontrollable laughter
  4. Hidden restaurants and delicious food
  5. Unexpected hikes
  6. Family of all kinds
  7. The feeling after you brush your teeth
  8. Peanut butter
  9. Nights on the balcony watching the sun go down
  10. Drunk texts from my brother
  11. People who share their gratitude with me!
  12. Sunday mornings in bed
  13. The feeling after a finished to-do list
  14. Home-made Pizza
  15. The warmth of the sun on my skin and the beautiful weather in LA
  16. The stars and how they connect us all
  17. Five Guys Burgers
  18. Nature and the great outdoors
  19. People with kind and gentle hearts
  20. Neck pillows for flights across the country
  21. Sharing pictures and experiences
  22. Harry Potter Movie Marathons
  23. Any kind of dessert
  24. People who give good hugs
  25. The promise of a new year and new opportunities
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Gratitude

First Steps (#7)

By Jacob Ames on

As I start my time out here in LA, I am so incredibly grateful just to be here. The sun is warm and my body feels new energy with each breath. As much as I love being home and everything about Massachusetts, change is both important and necessary. I had an honest conversation with my mom before I left and we talked about stepping outside my comfort zone. There haven’t been many moments in my life where I have branched out because most times I live cautiously with a guarded heart. Yesterday, I made the conscious choice this was something I needed. I am trying to embrace this feeling of freedom and I hope to act on it again and again as I move forward in life.

I’m excited to share more stories and pictures from my time here! Also figuring out what time and when to post the blog while I’m here so thank you for your patience. 

12.30.17

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. West Coast Smashburger
  2. Extra legroom on long flights
  3. Friendly faces and new connections
  4. Increasing independence
  5. Meaningful dreams
  6. Good music and new playlists
  7. A warm sun (sorry Massachusetts)
  8. A good stretch in the morning to start my day
  9. New adventures and new experiences
  10. My Family but especially my Uncle for so many reasons
  11. Conversations that go beyond small talk
  12. The Good / Better / Best for a day
  13. A beautiful sky with the promise of more
  14. Anytime I can brag about TB12 and my Patriots
  15. People in LA who don’t mind when I ask for help or direction
  16. Puppies of all kinds
  17. Safe flights. Taking off and landing will always stress me out
  18. Having the opportunity to learn about different religions and beliefs
  19. Not having social media anymore, it is freeing
  20. Being able to grow a beard, my face is always warm and it’s great
  21. Music by Tash Sultana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVDJ8O3lPBA)
  22. An ocean breeze
  23. Our National and State Parks, nature is important
  24. A good pair of sweatpants
  25. Inspiration in all forms
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Gratitude

Time To Make Time (#6)

By Jacob Ames on

What’s something you always wish you had more time for? We only have 24 hours in a day and far too often, it doesn’t feel like it’s enough. With another 3 hours in a day, who knows!? We might be able to pursue interests and hobby’s, become professionals doing what we love. Unfortunately, that 24 hours thing seems pretty set in stone. That leaves us with only one option, you have to make time.

Tomorrow is a mystery and continually saying we’ll make time for that trip abroad “one day” just won’t cut it. Set a goal, identify the steps, and like I said yesterday, don’t give up.

Whether this means you have to wake up earlier, manage your time better, or let something go, your bucket list isn’t going to accomplish itself. So I’ll ask again, what’s something you want to make time for in the new year? Why not start tomorrow?

12.29.17

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. Clearing my head at the gym
  2. Dancing in the rain
  3. New adventures
  4. What patience brings
  5. Warm clothes from the dryer
  6. My discover weekly on Spotify
  7. My family and their constant encouragement
  8. My favorite RA floor partner, Stenie Simon
  9. My fellow SOCs, past, present, and future
  10. My very comfy mattress pad
  11. Living in Shea Durgin
  12. Dr. Kevin Curry and everything about Cambodia
  13. A good pair of goggles that doesn’t let water seep in when you dive in
  14. Blue Gatorade because it’s obviously the best flavor, even though blue isn’t a flavor…
  15. New personal records
  16. People who encourage your ‘best self’
  17. Homemade food
  18. Piano lessons when I was younger. It helps me appreciate real musicians that much more
  19. When you lucid dream
  20. Warm days and cold nights
  21. That day I snuck into the movies with my friends, only to find out we went to the wrong movie
  22. Soccer tournaments with my team
  23. Honest people
  24. Travel and everything you learn along the way
  25. My process

Tomorrow I’m traveling to Los Angeles to stay with my Uncle! I’m excited to share pictures and stories while I’m there.

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Gratitude

Don’t Ever Give Up (#5)

By Jacob Ames on

Resiliency.

Perseverance.

Endurance.

People have a tendency to give in when things get hard. You question yourself, your direction, and your purpose when the answer has always been right in front of you. Faith. Faith is unique to every individual you come across. Whether you believe in God, The Universe, or a giant spaghetti monster in the sky, do not lose hope and do not falter. You hold these beliefs for a reason. You’ve made it this far, for a reason. It’s hard to trust the unknown. It’s hard to put faith in tomorrow when today may have seemingly failed you. That’s up to you to decide. Gratitude allows us to find the value in each day. Gratitude can be the fuel you need to keep going when you’re going through hell.

Don’t ever give up. (motivational video link)

It’s easy to make excuses. It’s easy to say this is too hard and too much work. You stand in the face of opposition and it feels like your entire world is closing in on you. The self-doubt you hear in your head spreads like a virus to the point of indecision. Paralyzed with fear, it’s easier just to give up and call it quits. You can make yourself feel better by resorting back to old habits and feeling comfortable again. Let me say it loud enough for the people in the back.

DON’T GIVE UP.

12.28.17

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. My cat Ned
  2. Unpopped bubble wrap
  3. Songs that make you think
  4. A moment of peace to meditate
  5. The support I get from my friends
  6. Autosave when my laptop crashes
  7. A good lazy river
  8. Not only feeling heard but understood as well
  9. Peanut Butter Sandwiches
  10. Walks in my local state park
  11. Memories on Cape Cod
  12. 10 Deep Breaths
  13. Both years of working Orientation at BSU (shoutout to my secret OL x2)
  14. Warped Tour Music
  15. All 67,106 yards and 493 touchdowns Tom Brady has thrown in his career (postseason included)
  16. The fact that I no longer sleepwalk around my house in the night
  17. The smell of burgers on the grill in the summer
  18. Foam rollers and good stretches
  19. My fam
  20. Discovering new places
  21. Laying on the quad and sitting on the Boyden steps
  22. When your airplane finally lands safely because flying stresses me out
  23. An empty email inbox
  24. Signs from the Universe
  25. My process and being exactly where I’m supposed to be.
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Gratitude

Just The List (#4)

By Jacob Ames on

I love writing and it’s something that truly helps me process but I think I’m still learning about how I want to use this blog. I want to keep true to my pledge and will continue to share my gratitude list to hopefully inspire your own, but today I don’t have as much to say.

I know every day has the opportunity to be a new and great adventure. What we choose to pursue, the paths we choose to take, it all matters. Jelly Beans may not seem like the perfect metaphor for time but this is one of my favorite videos. Spend your time meaningfully and be grateful when you can. Think about all the great adventures you’ve already been on and all the adventures still to come. That’s certainly something to be thankful for.

12.27.17

Today I’m grateful for…

  1. Popcorn and movie nights
  2. RHA Wednesdays
  3. Noise cancelling headphones
  4. Smiling until your face hurts
  5. Cheesy Mozzarella Sticks
  6. Hikes in Washington
  7. Drinking games
  8. Moments of learning
  9. Mambo Number 5
  10. Leadership education
  11. Waking up for the sunrise
  12. How far I’ve come. My process and my growth.
  13. Live music
  14. A clean apartment
  15. Working with my Peer Mentors
  16. Spending time with my family
  17. NPR Tiny Desk music
  18. Hanging out with my cat
  19. Good vibes
  20. Being an RA at BSU, it was the first step to getting involved and changing my life
  21. Boston Celtics Basketball
  22. Fluffy pancakes and fat omelettes
  23. Having my dad coach all my different teams growing up.
  24. Getting a sweet parking space
  25. The here and now
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