Tag: nature

Taking It Slow (#220)

Each day that passes means I’m one closer to going home. Time has never moved this slowly my entire life but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I’ve been productive with my time here in England. Although my work isn’t the most rewarding, I’ve worked on a number of projects and feel prepared for the fall semester. I’m still looking forward to heading home and seeing my family but I’ve certainly been able to savor every last second of my summer in the UK 🇬🇧.

07.30.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Mistakes and moments of learning
  2. A full night’s rest
  3. The sound and feeling of rain
  4. Firefighters and first responders
  5. My siblings
  6. Late night mac and cheese
  7. Delivering pizza in high school
  8. The sound of the train passing in the night
  9. My friends at UMass
  10. Time outside
  11. Rainy days and vinyl records
  12. Love
  13. A little bit of bravery
  14. Patriot games on Sundays
  15. Local homemade ice cream
  16. Talks about the Universe
  17. A “yes and” mentality
  18. A clear sky and a full moon
  19. Working for Swift Kick in New York
  20. Time at the gym and people who keep me working towards my goals
  21. Holidays with my family
  22. Good dreams
  23. CLEAN WATER! Check out my project and see how you can get involved!
  24. Lazy days with my cat, Ned
  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 an older hike. Wouldn’t be able to pick out the mountain but the view still reminds me of the fresh air and warm sun my friends and I shared.

    My Clean Water Project (#205)

    In 2017 I had the opportunity to travel to Cambodia and it changed my life. I saw first-hand people living in poverty without access to such a basic need, clean water. Traveling with a group of college students, we built a handful of bio-sand filters in collaboration with Water For Cambodia. I know from experience how just a few dollars can make such a huge impact.

    This has influenced my perspective on life and my appreciation for gratitude.

    Many people around the world don’t have the luxury of clean water. Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide clean water to communities around the world.

    100% of the money will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community being helped. Donating to my Water Project means a better quality of life for a real community of people. I have 77 days to hit my goal, let’s help change the world together.

    07.18.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. CLEAN WATER ((https://my.charitywater.org/jacob-ames/clean-water-jha))
    2. Good teamwork
    3. Perspective
    4. Honesty
    5. New music
    6. A little understanding
    7. Supportive people
    8. Singing in the car with the windows down
    9. Mentors and teachers
    10. Passionate people
    11. Healing
    12. A hot shower
    13. Old Man Basketball on Wednesdays
    14. Listening to vinyl with my parents
    15. Friendly pets
    16. Working Orientation in the summer
    17. Time to journal
    18. Spontaneity
    19. Time to get organized
    20. The smell of the ocean
    21. Sharing laughter
    22. My family
    23. An empty email box
    24. Time at the gym
    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 the Water For Cambodia team. A small group of caring individuals can change the world and these are the people to do it. 

     

    Getting Back In A Groove (#204)

    Traveling to Scotland was amazing but I’m glad to be back in England. With the time I have left at Essex, it’s my goal to make the most of it in every way possible. I’m happy I’m here and after everything this summer, I’m grateful to be exactly where I am.

    07.14.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Catching up on sleep
    2. Clean water
    3. Sharing pictures
    4. Morning cartoons
    5. Local cartoons
    6. The warmth of the sun
    7. Safe travels
    8. Teamwork
    9. Creative people
    10. Walks through an empty campus
    11. Summer beach music
    12. My family
    13. A couple of deep breaths
    14. Time to journal
    15. Cereal snacks
    16. Lawn games
    17. Home cooked meals
    18. Gratitude
    19. The smell of the ocean
    20. Watching the Pats on Sundays
    21. Good teachers
    22. Working at the Food Bank with Bryan
    23. Learning new things
    24. Change
    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 from Loch Ness. So many cool moments after exploring the Scottish highlands. It was a great day with so many moments to appreciate. 

    My Own Adventure (#203)

    This summer has taken me to some pretty incredible places. Grateful to spend my day surrounded by nature in places I never dreamed I’d be able to visit.

    07.13.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Haggis
    2. My audiobook
    3. Being in nature
    4. My family
    5. Helpful humans
    6. Incredible views
    7. Keeping notes
    8. Getting my steps in
    9. My hometown
    10. Videos of my cat
    11. Music to relax
    12. Texts from Home
    13. Supporting my friends
    14. Quick snacks
    15. Warm brownies
    16. Sleeping in my own bed
    17. Clean water
    18. Life lessons
    19. A full day
    20. Funny tour guides
    21. A few deep breaths
    22. Having a plan of action
    23. Stories from Loch Ness
    24. Free travel
    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 dam in the Scottish highlands. One of my favorites but MANY more to come.

    Embrace The Moment (#202)

    This morning I woke up at 6am. I definitely didn’t mean to, trust me. I had two options; roll over and try and fall back to sleep or make the most of the sunrise. I chose the ladder. I climbed an empty Arthur’s Seat this morning and sat quietly writing in my journal. It was the perfect way to start my day. A moment of gratitude I’ll treasure when I think back about being here in Scotland. 07.12.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. The warmth of the sun
    2. Strangers on the trail
    3. Not getting lost coming back
    4. Exploring Edinburgh
    5. Delicious traditional Indian food
    6. Learning new things
    7. Conversations about family and life
    8. Second chances
    9. A full stomach
    10. Time to relax and journal
    11. Plans for the future
    12. Living in the moment
    13. Fun parks and friendly pets
    14. Sharing laughter
    15. Hot showers
    16. Game of Thrones Sunday’s
    17. My family
    18. Colorful sunsets
    19. Cereal snacks
    20. Being an LCG at UMass
    21. Gratitude
    22. Good communication
    23. Fun souvenirs
    24. After school cartoons
    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 top of Arthur’s Seat. A quick hike and lots of fun. Worth doing if you’re ever in Edinburgh.

    Make Space For Change (#201)

    Be open to new ideas, embrace different perspectives, and live life outside your comfort zone. Let the universe take care of the rest. 07.11.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Safe travels
    2. New surroundings
    3. A good experience with haggis
    4. Learning new things
    5. Tired feet
    6. Friendly faces
    7. Delicious ice cream
    8. Pictures from home
    9. An incredible word cup run from England this summer. Sorry to see them go home
    10. A made bed and clean towels
    11. The warmth of the sun
    12. My amazing friends from UMass
    13. A few deep breaths
    14. Incredible sights
    15. Relaxing music
    16. A little understanding
    17. Good conversation
    18. Starting the day right
    19. My family
    20. Change
    21. Sharing stories
    22. UMass and BSU
    23. The sound of birds in the morning
    24. A full stomach
    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 from Joshua Tree! Loved my journaling during that hike and wrote a lot about changes I want to make in my own life.

    Let The Universe Take Over (#188)

    Got a little help writing my blurb today. When talking about happiness, purpose, and love, my friend Ashley had this to say –

    I think far too often we can become so focused and determined on forcing ourselves to be happy, blindly pursuing what we think is fulfillment. We may try to force relationships, both romantic and not, in a desperate search for feeling love. I think true and actual happiness and fulfillment and love come to us in a way out of our control and in their own time and in their own surprising ways! Of course we can make conscious choices that will help us get there but we can’t really control it – all we can do is have faith.

    Wow is she wise or what? I couldn’t agree more with her and as we let go to the power of the universe, we can find what we need most. I’m grateful for people like Ashley and lessons like this.

    06.28.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Walks down to the wharf
    2. A vibrant sunset
    3. Checking in
    4. New friends
    5. The universe
    6. The sound of seagulls
    7. The smell of the ocean
    8. Being on time
    9. Holding hands
    10. My siblings
    11. Helpful people
    12. The sunshine
    13. My own growth
    14. Lessons learned
    15. Time for hikes
    16. A chance to journal
    17. My fellow gratitude bloggers
    18. Trying new things
    19. Peanut butter
    20. Slow dances
    21. My heroes
    22. Tattoo stories
    23. “The way up”
    24. Comfy pillows
    25. The 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 the sun going down in Liverpool tonight. What a special day with my brother, one I’ll always be grateful for.