What are you thankful for?
It’s Thanksgiving today in the US and I have T.H.E (Total Holiday Envy). Ever since I traveled to Chicago in 1997 and celebrated Thanksgiving with my then American boyfriend and his family I’ve been in complete and utter love with the whole concept of Thanksgiving. It’s not about the food. (Okay, that’s a lie. It’s a bit about the food. Think roast turkey, pumpkin pie, lashings of mashed potato, home-made stuffing, gravy, cherry pie… I think I just gained 5kg while writing that sentence). But my real love for Thanksgiving stems from the feeling around the holiday. It’s a holiday where families and friends gather together to give thanks. To remind themselves what they’re grateful for. A time when we get to put our First World Problems into context.
So in honour of Thanksgiving, we’re asking you: What are you thankful for?
I have a few things. I’m thankful that I’m pregnant again and that my pregnancy is going smoothly; I’m thankful for my AMAZING job at Mamamia (corny but true) and I’m thankful that my life is full of potential. So even when things seem crappy, I know I have the ability and the opportunity to turn things around. And, it has to be said, I’m thankful for the chocolate Magnum that’s waiting for me at home in the freezer tonight.
How about you? What are you thankful for right now? Big or small … doesn’t matter. Here’s your chance to be thankful.
Comments
123 Comments so far
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I’ve just started working as a carer in a nursing home and it has made me realise this: I am thankful for the fact that I am able to shower, dress and toilet myself.
It may be a small thing but it’s something I’ve always taken for granted. I’ve seen how undignified and frustrating it can be for them and it just puts all my woes into perspective.
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I’m thankful for being born in Australia. Everything else is just an awesome bonus.
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I am thankful that my Nan is still in quite good health for a 86 year old and that we have such a close relationship
And im thankful for my new apartment!!!!
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So very much.
My 3 beautiful girls who are well, happy, smart and funny
My lovely man for his devotion, strength and authenticity
My health
My superb friends, who lift me when I need it, who catch me when I fall and who also appreciate a good Verdelho.
Chocolate and coffee.
Music
That I can actually appreciate what I have.
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You’re right, Bec, Thanksgiving and the idea of getting together and spending a bit of time thinking about what we are thankful for is a marvellous idea. I’m tempting to start my own yearly Thanksgiving dinner just so I can do it too!
Today I am thankful for:
- great friends
- good health
- a kind and loving boyfriend
- my fantastic physio
- Chai tea
- umbrellas
- an apartment that I love and which feels like home
- having enough money to splash out on takeaway last night
- dance
- an understanding and flexible manager
- Christmas and all its related joy
I’m smiling now, just reading back on how many things I am thankful for! Love this post.
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It’s just the best holiday. I’m thinking of celebrating Australia Day this way from now on …. But also I keep a gratitude journal now and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Keeps me focused on the good things. No matter how small. Sometimes the small things are the things that get you through the day!
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I’m thankful for my beautiful, healthy daughter, my gorgeous, loving husband, and the multitude of blessings I take for granted every day — great family and friends, lovely place to live, plenty of food. I’m thankful for the paid maternity leave that is allowing me to spend these first precious months of my girl’s life caring for and enjoying time with her.
And I’m thankful for the existence of chocolate, wine and pork crackling, and the fact it’s nearly Christmas so I will have plenty of opportunities to indulge in all three!
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I’ve always been envious of thanksgiving too! I don’t think we stop and think about what we are thankful for often enough.
I’m thankful for the love of my family, friends and gorgeous, gorgeous boyfriend.
I’m thankful for a job which drives me nuts but has the potential to make a difference to the world one day.
I’m thankful for the education that lets me have this job.
I’m thankful for good health.
I’m thankful to all the people that helped this unco learn to dance!
I’m thankful that I live in a country where I can live free from fear, where I can express my opinions openly and where the vast majority of the population have every opportunity to have a rich, comfortable and fulfilling life.
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I am thankful for my amazing, gorgeous, supportive, loving husband. I am eternally grateful to have met him.
I thankful for my 2 beautiful, smart, feisty, challenging, loving, happy, healthy little girls.
I am thankful for our lovely home and all the thing that make it feel cosy and fun.
I am thankful that there is always good, nutritious food on our plates.
I am thankful for supportive friends and family, and for the knowledge that there are so many people who would be there for me if I needed them.
I am thankful that I have a great career and a job I (mostly) love that pays me well.
But I have also realised that if I didn’t have the job or the house or the “things” it would still be OK, so long as I had my family and friends.
Thanks so much for this post. A little perspective was required to see through the haze of stress my life has become…
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I’m thankful for all the medical advances that mean that I’m alive and happy. And I’m thankful that the car accident I saw this morning didn’t end in injury for those involved. And I’m thankful that I was able to stop and help.
Thanks be to God.
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Im thankful for love and laughter
2 things my days are filled with.
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I am so thankful that my boyfriend and brother both returned home from Afghanistan two months ago unscathed and all in one piece. Finally, we’re all together again
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I am thankful for Melbourne. It’s such an awesome city.
I am thankful for my beautiful family that love me unconditionally and most days make me laugh a lot.
I am thankful for the awesome view from my new home office. It’s gorgeous and green and foresty. Very peaceful.
I’m thankful for my business that lets me earn enough money and allows me to work from home for myself.
I’m thankful for the left over curry laksa waiting for me in the fridge for lunch.
I’m thankful that summer holidays are not far away.
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I am thankful that I have some lovely friends that I can truly rely on with my heart.
I am thankful we live in a country where the fact that I am single and female doesn’t destroy my daughter’s social, educational, and financial future.
I am thankful that the government can’t do off-shore processing anymore.
I am actually insanely surprised sometimes, and thankful, at how much we have – space, tvs, relative peace, cars, good medical care. These are amazing things.
I am thankful for my beautiful daughter and her hugs.
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My family and friends who love and support me. That I was able to move states 18 months ago (act to Hobart) and still have people I love to go back to.
I’m thankful that the last guy broke up with me because he realised it just wasn’t feeling right. I knew somewhere that it wasn’t but didn’t want to believe after being single for so long.
I am thankful that I have access to quality medical treatment when needed and am thankful for my family and friends health.
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Thankful to be okay….walking the dogs last night a large branch fell onto me and the puppy. It brought live wires down with it. No broken bones or bruising on either of us but we were both very shaken. My son reminded me that this was my second lucky escape. The other one was getting caught in a rip with my daughter and having to be rescued. I still can’t go into the sea, a boat ride is scary to me. Thankful for meeting my lovely husband and my 2 kids.
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Im thankful for my beautiful furry cats.
They are my fuzzball lifesavers.
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I am thankful for my beautiful daughter.
I am thankful for my wonderful husband who is my rock
I am thankful for our lovely house.
I am thankful for my beautiful girlfriends.
I am thankful that 2012 is going to be my best year yet!
I am thankful for the fact that money always shows up when we need it.
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I am thankful for:
1. My boyfriend. He just makes me feel blissfully happy
2. Chocolate. You know, those little bite size pieces of happiness?
3. My boyfriends parents insisting on making me lunch every day and even buying me a lunch bag for work
4. Zoe Fosters “Amazing Face” book. God bless you and your makeup wisdom, Zoe.
5. Red lipstick and tinted moisteriser
6. The money in my bank account
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I am just realising I should be thankful for winning a twitter writing competition about Thanksgiving! When I heard I was one of six winners, I laughed, and life went on. Then I read a story about the competition and discovered 4,300 people tweeted their entries. After three story rejections that week, I decided to embrace the joy, and feel thankful that my meagre contribution of 140 characters was appreciated. My tweet was based on a Thanksgiving cartoon in the New Yorker: I wrote: “Woman shops, lugs, sorts, cooks, serves, cleans and collapses. ‘Wasn’t that a great night?’ says family. Happy Thanksgiving!”
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My husband is coming home today after almost two months away.
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Gosh how exciting! It is always an amazing feeling when you get to see someone you love after such a long time.
Hope the kisses and cuddles are extra special.
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I am thankful for finally being pregnant after three years, I am thankful for my amazing husband, family and friends who supported us during this time. I am thankful for my puppy dogs who give me the best cuddles every morning! I am thankful to live in a country where we have so much to be thankful for. ahhhh now that was nice!
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Yesterday I was talking to the most lovely woman, who is watching her husband die. He’s been very ill for a very long time, and now its all happening a bit more quickly than they expected, yet she still goes about her work and life with such grace, care and dignity. I’ve also just read that tragic story about the woman who lost her twins.
So yesterday I thought I was stressed to the eyeballs about assignments, work, Christmas and money. Today I’m so grateful it hurts. So much so I’m not sure I could nominate particular reasons – just everything.
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Love this!
I am thankful for;
- the many people in my life who love me and support me in every possible way (including a wonderful boyfriend and a better Mum than I could ever ask for)
- my drama free and stable life
- my healthy and able body (particularly as an injury is healing well)
- my ability to choose my life and how to live it
- my potential – the world really is our oyster
- The fact that I can focus on other pursuits because I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and hot water
What a great way to start the day!
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I am thankful for my new husband who has supported me through some very sad times (we lost our baby at 10wks only 2 weeks ago and were married 6 days ago)
I am thankful that close friends of ours who lost twins in March have had their 20wk scan and all is well
I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and arms to cuddle me at night
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Feisty, I’ve been thinking of you… How was the wedding?
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It was beautiful (in my completly unbiased opinion lol) it went way too fast. I was so calm and relaxed the whole day (until we lost my underwear meaing I went braless lol) until I got out of the limo and then I was shaking and cried but as soon as I hit the red carpet and saw my husband I had a huge smile on my face and relaxed again.
We even surprised our bridal party by meeting up with them at our local pub after the wedding (we did get changed first) best decision we made, we were able to let our hair down and really enjoy ourselves.
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When it comes to your wedding, your opinion is the only one that matters! Sounds truly wonderful!
Not sure whether I should ask how you lost your underwear… LOL. But every wedding needs a last minute disaster or 2! That’s so you have a juicy part of the story to tell…
Looking forward to hearing some more happy stories from you soon x
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lol all good about the underwear I was just too organised in the morning when I dropped everything off at my mums that I put them in the drawers but when i went looking for them after the hairdressers I forgot what i had done with them so was looking for the green bag I brought them over in. I remembered the next day in the shower where they were lol
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I’m thankful for;
* My family and partner. Especially my nephews – they never fail to make me smile
* My friends – who are the family I choose
* My workplace – I have a fantastic boss and the freedom to make my role my own
* Having the luxury of being able to afford to live in the suburb I want and have a roof over my head
* Hot showers. My favourite thing in the world at the end of a stressful day
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I love Thanksgiving!
I’m thankful for my loving family, and for good and interesting friends who challenge me! …also for the opportunities presented to me for traveling, seeing new places and people. I am not without. I have much to be thankful for.
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I’m thankful that my skirt is a little bit tight, because it is a reminder to me every day, that I have enough to eat – unlike so many in the world!
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Nice perspective
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I’m thankful that my baby woke every 3hours last night and not every hour. Mainly though, i’m thankful that i live in Australia, that my kids have access to education, health and other western world privileges that we should always be thankful for. I’m also very thankful for posts like these; they’re thought provoking and help me avoid the pile of washing (which i’m not thankful for!)
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I am thankful for having happy and healthy children, my severly disabled son who has taught me to never give up, my lovely husband, and the pile of books on my bedside table waiting for me to read
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Oooh …. what are you reading at the mo? What’s in the pile?
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Sorry Vintagemum – hijacking your post. But can highly reccomend Lianne Moriarty’s “The Hypnotists Love Story”. Also, Kylie Ladd, Last Summer, Jacqueline ? Under the influence. Must be time for another book post!
(PS congrat’s Bec x)
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Am currently reading the Phryne Fisher series, and other books in the pile are ransoms I picked up from various op shops, but next in line is I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb, all time favorite book. But will endeavor to check out @Lisas recommendations
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I love Wally Lamb too!
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Really boring, but all the usual stuff…I’m thankful for being healthy and happy and being in a loving relationship…thankful for all my friends and family…thankful for having a good job and working for a good employer…thankful that I am lucky enough to live in Australia that, even with all its faults, is still one of the best places on earth to live…
C’mom…I’m a white heterosexual middle-class male…to think these are all accidents of my birth…how can I not be thankful…or guilty…not sure which…
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Love this question. I’m also thankful for my amazing job at Mamamia and for my family and friends who I miss so, so much, but who have been so supportive of my move to Sydney.
On a lighter note, I’m thankful for the lovely girl at the coffee shop knows my name and my order, my black gumboots that made walking to work in the rain so much more fun yesterday morning and Mariah Carey for writing amazing Christmas carols which I plan to listen to very, very soon.
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Oh how I LOVE Mariah at Christmas time!! Actually I just plain LOVE Christmas time!!
However, my uber chic and classy housemate (and best friend) has forebade me from having any tacky tinsel in our apartment. On the upside, we have a very classy wire Christmas bodice (that has always been in our living – ne. only – room), with a giant branch poking out, spray painted gold with a number of sequined and feathered birds decorating it. Very noice indeed! (But I want my tacky tinsel!!!)
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Oh I’m the same! A sucker for anything Christmassy – including tacky tinsel and especially cheesy Christmas movies!
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I’m thankful that we’ll make our mortgage payment at the end of this month, Only just but we’ll make it. Oh and chocolate.
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I’m thankful that I have so many opportunities and so much potential. I’m thankful that I’m healthy and have such an amazing partner and family. I’m thankful that I have so much support in every direction and that I’m a graduate (the ink is barely dry) and I have a secure, well paying job locked in for next year that will enhance my learning.
This is a fantastic post Bec, congratulations on your pregnancy and wishing you all the best for the time remaining
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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I’m currently living in the States and right now it’s absolute madness with everyone getting ready for thanks giving (which is tomorrow here). Seeing as I grew up in Australia this holiday doesn’t really mean anything to me but I can appreciate the reasons behind it and so here is a list of what I’m thankful for:
My health and the health of my loved ones.
My husband.
My parents and my sisters.
My nieces.
Having a healthy and good relationship with my in-laws.
Having a roof over my head and food to eat.
Having a chance to experience life in another country.
Getting to spend this time with my husband, just us on our own.
I’m thankful for Skype, Facebook and email so I can keep in touch with family and friends.
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I’m thankful for a sane state of mind. That I understand the world and why things happen.
I’m thankful that I can get up and go for a run tomorrow before work when there are so many people who can’t.
I’m thankful for hot showers when I need warming up.
I’m thankful for the health of my loved ones every single day.
I’m thankful for great friends who I cherish and hold dear.
I’m thankful I’m alive and each new day brings a new opportunity.
I’m thankful that I’m me.
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I’m thankful that AJ has started sleeping in a bit in the mornings. From a guaranteed 3am wakeup – from which he WOULD NOT go back to sleep – he now regularly makes it until 4am. This morning was 4.30, Saturday morning it was 5.40!
Like MD, I too am thankful for coffee.
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Does anyone know what yams are? They’re always mentioned as being part of Thanksgiving. I’ve always wondered ….
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Another name for sweet potato, I think.
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I always thought they were sweet potatoes
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I believe that American’s call sweet potato ‘yams’ .. a literal yam though doesn’t sound that appealing, in Mao’s Last Dancer Li goes on and on about how horrible they were.
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They are similar to sweet potatoes, I find living here you find mainly yams.
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Okay that reminds me that one of the dishes my American hosts served was like “candied yams” .. it was a dish of sweet potato but with marshmallows in it or something. It sounds horrifying but it was actually weirdly okay. (Have I just made you all feel sick in the stomach?)
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Yes, yes you have. Mind you, I’m one of those people who refuses to have apple in a salad, or salted chocolate, or anything sweet with anything savoury.
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Me too – never get the sweet and sour thing. Yuk.
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That dish is like your worst nightmare!
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I’m thankful for the best partner in the world, I’m not sure how he puts up with me.
Our gorgeous and healthy little girl, and air conditioning. I’m so thankful for air conditioning.
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I love this post. I also loved magnums when I was pregnant.
Right now, I am so thankful that our family is going to be together for Christmas after years of being separated by oceans, I’m thankful for my cheerful little girl who never fails to out life in perspective, my partner, who right now is working in the rain, my dear friends, my new jeans which really do make me look 5 kilos lighter.. I could go on and on. What a nice way of starting today.
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I’m thankful my toddler slept thru the night!
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Also thankful for coffee right now.
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I am thankful for the strong, healthy, beautiful body I was blessed with. I am thankful for my inquisitive and intelligent mind. I am thankful for my beautiful family, my close friends, and my amazeballs boyfriend. I am thankful for my lucky life. I truly have so much and despite the bad times, I am truly truly blessed.
……………….TRULY!
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Great post, I think it is so important to count our blessings.
I’m so thankful for the big things; my wonderful husband, daughter, home and (currently on hold) career.
A little thing I’m thankful for: right hand turning arrows at busy intersections (yes, I’m a bit of a nervous driver!)
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Me too! I love it when you get a turning arrow and you don’t just have to wait until there’s a break in traffic! Sometimes it’s the little things ….