Tag: Spotify

Gratitude

Be On Your Own Team (#315)

By Jacob Ames on

I think I take myself for granted sometimes. I mess up and I have zero sympathy for it.

I should have done better.

I can’t believe I did that.

I’m not good enough.

These anxious thoughts echo and return more than I’d like to admit. Something I saw recently inspired me.

“Commit to always being on your own team”. Brent Huras may just be a talking internet head but I find myself in agreement!

I’m working on having gratitude for me. Allowing myself grace when I mess up. It’s a process, believe me.

12.18.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Clean water
  2. Time for reflection
  3. A clean apartment
  4. Learning from mistakes
  5. Going home to my family
  6. Assorted desserts and fun messages
  7. Indoor soccer in the winter
  8. Friends from home
  9. Spending quality time together
  10. Shared anything
  11. New candle smells
  12. Revs nights at Gillette
  13. Home cooking
  14. My brothers in Sigma Pi
  15. The warmth of the summer sun
  16. New music
  17. My Peer Mentor staff
  18. Good health and safe travels
  19. Tattoo stories
  20. A couple deep breaths
  21. Local pizza
  22. Time at the gym
  23. A good book
  24. My education and great teachers
  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.

If you’re interested in Guest Blogging for the Gratitude Journal, click (here)!

Featured image of Loch Ness!

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Gratitude

Belief and Gratitude (#283)

By Jacob Ames on

10.16.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Time to read
  2. $5 movies
  3. Late night ice cream
  4. Shared anything
  5. The sound of rain on my windshield
  6. Safe travels
  7. The people I work with
  8. When things go right
  9. Board game nights with my family
  10. My Spotify Discover Weekly
  11. Support and care
  12. An empty email inbox
  13. People who keep me organized
  14. Trust and patience
  15. Peanut butter and bananas
  16. People who inspire
  17. A clean apartment
  18. My family and talking things out
  19. Leadership lessons
  20. A couple deep breaths
  21. The power of The Universe
  22. Sledding in the winter
  23. Fun staff meetings
  24. Teamwork
  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.

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Gratitude

Happy Birthday, Ned! (#264)

By Jacob Ames on

09.12.18

The old man turns 11. One year again today, I adopted Eddard Stark Ames but I like to call him Ned for short. He’s not the friendliest but he sure knows how to cuddle. He’s an old man set in his ways but has brought love and affection to my family and me. When I adopted Ned, I wasn’t sure how my parents would react. They weren’t thrilled about the idea but I think they realize how special Ned is. He’s always around to listen and can appreciate a good piece of ham. Looking forward to spending many more birthdays with my cat Ned.

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Time with my cat
  2. Rainy days inside
  3. Sleeping in
  4. Snow days off from work
  5. Mellow music and rain mixes
  6. Time at the gym
  7. Clean water
  8. My mom for watching Ned all summer
  9. Safe travels
  10. Time to journal and reflect
  11. Talking things out
  12. The feeling after you brush your teeth
  13. A clean apartment
  14. Visiting family in California
  15. Honesty
  16. Time for photography
  17. Nighttime stretches
  18. Gratitude
  19. Warm water with lemon
  20. Making new friends
  21. Having new experiences
  22. The community of bloggers on WordPress
  23. Good directions
  24. Chipotle
  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 birthday boy

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Gratitude

Taking A Moment (#257)

By Jacob Ames on

I am a thinker. I overthink, I over analyze, I lock my conscious inside my head until I feel like I’ve gone mental. The blog has been a great way for me to take a moment and relax. Sometimes talking things out allows us to verbalize what’s wrong or what’s been on our minds. Shape those thoughts with gratitude if possible and let go of the things we can’t control.

09.05.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Seeing my brother
  2. Time at the gym
  3. Mental clarity
  4. Sitting with my tea
  5. Carpools with Carley
  6. Simple times
  7. A couple deep breaths
  8. Sharing new music
  9. Tattoo stories
  10. Long drives chasing the sunset
  11. Catching up
  12. Old man basketball on Wednesdays
  13. Local bagels for breakfast
  14. Peanut butter
  15. A clear sky full of stars
  16. The sound of the train passing in the night
  17. The fan next to my bed
  18. Learning to let things go
  19. When people open up
  20. An empty email inbox
  21. Teamwork and putting in equal effort
  22. Understanding
  23. Patience
  24. My mental health tools
  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 from the Rose Bowl parade earlier this year in Pasadena.

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Gratitude

Happy Birthday, Mom! (#248)

By Jacob Ames on

Happy birthday! 🎂🎁🎉

We didn’t always see eye to eye. I think this is because her and I couldn’t be more alike. Growing up we would but heads and get into arguments because of our stubborn natures. We struggled to address our miscommunication and didn’t do much to fix it. Our relationship has grown with time and I’m grateful to have such an amazing woman love and support me unconditionally. I realized my mom says the things she does because she just wants me to be safe, happy, and healthy. She cares about my success and will worry appropriately. Once I learned that much, figuring out the rest was easy for us.

She is an educator, a runner, and an early riser. She taught me how to stay organized and how to dance to oldies radio. I’m grateful for my mom for more reasons than my daily list can handle. Happy birthday, Mom ❤️.

08.27.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. My mother
  2. Rides to school in the morning
  3. Morning runs and half marathons
  4. Unconditional support and encouragement
  5. Getting my curly hair from my mom
  6. Home cooking and special recipes
  7. Spending a day on the water
  8. Sharing stories and audiobooks with Mom
  9. A clean home
  10. Warm hugs from my mom
  11. Trips to her favorite ice cream parlor
  1. The superpowers you get from drinking tea
  1. The view from my balcony
  2. Good communication amongst my staff
  3. When I can help or serve others
  4. Adaptability
  5. My Discover Weekly from Spotify
  6. Board games and family nights
  7. Walks to the beach
  8. Cake frosting
  9. My fraternity brothers
  10. Challenges and adversity
  11. Gratitude
  12. CLEAN WATER! Check out my project and see how you can get involved!
  13. 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 another unreal sunset in Western MA at UMass. Taken by Niharika Kareddy.

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Gratitude

Anything but… (#240)

By Jacob Ames on

The featured image might be black and white but my life has been quite the opposite. Life is being out loud and in color, coming in on all stations. I’m grateful to be exactly where I am. Living life one day at a time.

08.19.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Fun car rides
  2. Roller coaster rides
  3. Staff bonding
  4. Family vacations
  5. Books on tape
  6. Weekend cartoons
  7. A clean apartment
  8. Trust
  9. New beginnings
  10. Being back at UMass
  11. Gratitude
  12. Dippin’ Dots
  13. Spotify
  14. The sunshine
  15. A couple deep breaths
  16. Fresh fruits and veggies
  17. Local bagels
  18. Pancakes on the weekend
  19. New routines
  20. Sunscreen
  21. Catching the sunset
  22. Great views
  23. Time for me
  24. Premier league weekends
  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 Iceland. I’m playing around with black and white to learn how to focus on different parts of the picture with my photography.

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Gratitude

Reunited! (#238)

By Jacob Ames on

To share a bit of happy news, I got to see an old friend from BSU. I’m grateful.

08.17.18

Today I’m Grateful For…

  1. Bryan visiting me at UMass
  2. The sound of the rain
  3. Heat lightning across the sky
  4. Morning tea
  5. CLEAN WATER! Check out my project and see how you can get involved!
  6. Good health
  7. Walks around the pond with my grandma
  8. Peanut butter
  9. Late night ice cream
  10. Crimson memories
  11. Learning new things
  12. Chicken fries and honey mustard
  13. Sharing music
  14. My Kennedy Peer Mentors
  15. Jess and Carley
  16. Frank and Holly
  17. Mom and Dad
  18. Bike rides through an empty campus
  19. Time at the gym
  20. New beginnings
  21. FIFA tournaments with friends
  22. Card games with my dad
  23. Getting things done
  24. The weekend to relax
  25. This very 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 Dakota landscape. This picture is not my own.

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    Gratitude

    Productive and Positive (#235)

    By Jacob Ames on

    08.14.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Rollerblading with my fellow LCGs
    2. Game of Thrones Sundays
    3. My Kennedy Peer Mentor staff
    4. Learning new things
    5. Late night ice cream trips
    6. Songs you sing in the car with the windows down
    7. Chipotle bowls with guacamole
    8. My friends here at UMass
    9. Time in the office to get things done and get organized
    10. Coming home to my cat, Ned
    11. GEO covering my gym membership costs
    12. Sharing Spotify
    13. An empty email box

    14. CLEAN WATER! Check out my project and see how you can get involved!

    15. Walks around Horn Pond with my Grandma

    16. Time to relax
    17. Leadership lessons
    18. The sound of rain falling on windshields and car hoods
    19. My favorite teachers
    20. Catching up with old friends
    21.  A couple of deep breaths and the gratitude that comes with it
    22. The warmth of the sun
    23. Learning how to play the piano
    24. Walking to the beach and the sound of sandals clapping against the cement
    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 Scotland! 

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    Gratitude

    Happy To Be Here (#230)

    By Jacob Ames on

    I do well with structure and organization. Having a work schedule keeps me busy and keeps me moving. I love the work I do here at UMass and I’m surrounded be intentional and caring humans. I’m excited for staff to move in so we can get started.

    08.09.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Team building
    2. Shared laughter
    3. A good first impression
    4. The feeling of being unpacked
    5. My mom’s cooking
    6. Fruit smoothies
    7. The New England Patriots are BACK
    8. Banana bread
    9. Feeling organized
    10. Being back at work
    11. CLEAN WATER! Check out my project and see how you can get involved!
    12. Walks through campus
    13. Seeing Jess and Carley
    14. The coolness of the wind
    15. Local bagels and pizza
    16. The warmth of the sunshine
    17. Teaching CORE again
    18. Days at the beach
    19. Safe travels
    20. Trains to Liverpool
    21. Board games with the family
    22. The smell of fresh flowers
    23. Friendly competition
    24. Good teachers
    25. This very 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 from my balcony. I plan to spend a lot of nights out here.

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    Gratitude

    My Definition Of Gratitude (#219)

    By Jacob Ames on

    My definition of gratitude isn’t so much defined in words as it is in feeling.

    There’s a quote from one of my favorite coaches, John Wooden, that’s appropriate…

    Gratitude is both simultaneously a little thing and a big thing. Gratitude doesn’t have to be a long list every night. Gratitude can be the warm embrace shared with someone you missed or a sincere thank you after finishing a collaborative project. Gratitude starts in the simplest form and can evolve into a larger sensation. There’s something powerful when we can share a mutual appreciation of one another. It’s all about how we can demonstrate love and positivity because of people or events in our life, in both little and big ways.

    07.29.18

    Today I’m Grateful For…

    1. Texts from Home
    2. My Peer Mentor staff
    3. Sand between my toes
    4. Change
    5. Good advice
    6. Train rides to Liverpool
    7. Supportive people
    8. Grad school
    9. Home cooked meals
    10. Tattoo stories
    11. Classic movies
    12. No traffic coming home
    13. People who inspire me
    14. Sharing gratitude
    15. When I’m sitting outside and you can hear the train pass by my house at night
    16. Rainy days with my cat
    17. Saturday morning reffing
    18. Friends from home
    19. Teachers and mentors
    20. An empty email inbox
    21. Chipotle trips
    22. Sitting around the Bridgewater Lake
    23. A good series on Netflix
    24. Safe travels
    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 is not my own but I’m always a sucker for a good sunset.

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