I think there are several factors that make our twenties a time of being thankful. I actually think that it is the stress and major life changes that we are all going through that make us stop and realize what really matters in our lives. The last few years with every challenging time I was constantly reminded of the things in my life that I am thankful for. In the past year I have become more thankful for my friends than I have ever been. I asked one of my closest friends to write the post on being thankful because I like to say she is the queen of thank you notes. This girl is actually the queen of cards. Rain or shine there will be cards in my mail box from this lovely lady.

This guest post was written by my friend, an elementary school art teacher, Tanja Dugas.

Thankful means

1. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful.
2. Expressive of gratitude

In addition to the above definitions, I also perceive thankful to mean not taking anything in life for granted. To me, I perceive thankful to mean appreciating and enjoying the simple things in life (not just being thankful for people), like the wag of a dog’s tail, finding a ladybug on your shirt or the smell of the air right after a major rainstorm.

To realize what you have, to cherish it, truly take care of it, and to cherish the people in your life, that’s being thankful. Besides being supportive of people, expressing your gratitude to others is a major way to be thankful.

I was told I am the queen at thank you notes. I had no idea! I don’t know what that means exactly. I know I write a lot of them. I do it, because I am really thankful for the people in my life, and I want them to know I appreciate and love them. Also, I think letters and notes are a great thing to reread on a bad day, and it can brighten your day instantly.

I am thankful for: my health, my freedom, my career of being a teacher, my students, all of my amazing friends and family, nature, animals, music and sweets (especially cupcakes).

What are you thankful for?