HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I love birthdays! Mine, your, anyone’s! I’m an openly corny person who loves any excuse to celebrate and have fun! But, I’ve often struggled with celebrating my own life and all that I’ve accomplished, which has in the past has led to deep depressions and anxiety. Sometimes when we are stressed out, we have tunnel vision and focus exclusively on the negative things in our lives.

I now realize that when we really stop and think about all the many ways that we are blessed, it actually goes a long way towards keeping us content and sane! Practicing gratitude allows us to zoom out, take in the whole picture with all of the positive things as well as the hard stuff, and really be more thankful and appreciative.

So here are the 32 things I’m most grateful for in the past couple months–one for every year of my life!

1. I married the love of my life on New Year’s Day! An incredibly supportive partner who has helped me in every way imaginable.
2. I inherited some incredible in-laws and an amazing step daughter!
3. I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl, Prism, who is lighting up our family!
4. My little sister graduated from high school! It wasn’t always easy, and sometimes she had to really struggle, but she persevered and I’m incredibly proud!
5. My 2 year old, Khai, is an incredibly bright and hilarious toddler.
6. Khai loves her baby sister!
7. Khai cracks up uncontrollably every time Prism farts or goes poo.
8. My little brother is home from college for the summer! He and I are incredibly close and I missed him a lot.
9. I got my Health Coaching certification!
10. I got to work at the same school as my husband.
11. I got to teach at a school way closer to home and spend more time with family!
12. I taught a really interesting class about activism, ethnic studies, and health/wellness to high school kids!
13. I got to go back to my old school, Mission High School, and watch kids I’d taught from Freshmen year graduate. 🙂
14. A wonderful daycare provider who loves our kids like our own, and has kept her prices low, making it possible for us to have childcare.
15. An AMAZING 10 year college reunion, and all of the amazing people in my class!
16. All of the people who helped me travel to that reunion and stay there for free, and who supported me with my baby.
17. My amazing childhood and school friends that I’m reconnecting with!
18. My mom and my dad! And all of the mom and dad figures in my life (aunts, uncles, family friends, etc.)!
19. My sister girls! Being surrounded by an amazing sister circle of strong women who have my back. Women who have helped me through laughter, joy, and pain too!
20. Amazing friends and family who stepped up and helped me last minute with my wedding
21. An incredible doula and friend who helped me survive childbirth and pregnancy
22. Help with kids
23. Financial planner discount
24. Clients coached
25. Amazing people and accountability partners who got through HI**
26. The amazing staff at the assisted living facility my mom lives at who treat her like family
27. My ability to go on maternity leave!
28. My new attitude about my health and wellness
29. Amazing co-workers both old and new that are more like family
30. All of the dozens of people who helped me out when I was pregnant (picking something up, carrying things, listening to me complain, gave me a seat on the train, etc.)
31. All of the people and creditors who have given me a break on bills during my maternity leave.
32. My amazing moms’ and parents’ groups that keep me sane.

Now is life perfect? NO! But it certainly reminds me that there is hope in the world when I see all the positives!

What are some things you can celebrate today? This week or this month? Or this year? It doesn’t have to be 32 things… start with 5 and see how you feel!