ABCs of Gratitude

A few months ago I started the Gratitude Challenge...I don't think I finished but one of the assignments was to write your personal ABCs of gratitude. As Thanksgiving is later on this week I felt it was more than an appropriate time for me to share and publish what I am grateful for. I hope you will also take time to reflect on what you are grateful for, for I truly believe we have more to be grateful for than we do to complain about. You may not have everything you want but you have everything you need.

My ABCs of Gratitude, I am grateful for...

Air- to breathe

Bible- to read and learn and grow in God

Car- my gift to myself a few years back

Doggies- Pomeranians to be exact

Erica (my sister)

Dad (RIH)

Friendships- all of them

Garage- to keep my fancy car and motorcycle in House

Inspiration there's a myriad of things that keep me going 

Jonathan (my brother)

Kisha (for sharing this gratitude journal with me)

Love- it really does make the world go round

Mom- she's my best friend

Nephews- what a difference boys make when they live with you

Outdoors- I enjoy nature, especially the changing of the seasons

Papa- he truly is my favorite man in the whole wide world

Quiet time- this is when I can reflect 

Relaxation- I have peace

St Stephen's Church- a blessing to me here in Kentucky

Time- it's not promised 

Unity- I love togetherness 

Vision (physically, spiritually and mentally)

Water- (something we often take for granted)

X??😁

Young people- (they are our future and I hope to mentor and inspire as many as possible)

Zoo - (I love animals)

Hope you enjoyed my list. Thanks for ready in my blog. I'm grateful for my followers. Share with your friends. Be blessed 

-Joi 

@jonitab #GratitudeChallenge 

It's ok to take your time.

What's taking you so long? This was my thought this morning when I pondered doing my next blog. It's been months!! Why have I taken so long to put some more thoughts on paper? Plenty has transpired since my last entry. I've been traveling for work, I've spent some time adventuring in Chattanooga and I've even enjoyed some more family time going to my nephews basketball games. Life has just been happening. And it has been good. I've also been spending a lot of time with my significant other. That's all the details you get at the moment. Usually when I sit and write I have a particular topic or theme that I'm focused on but not this time. Lately my thoughts have been focused towards my goals and plans for the upcoming year and finishing this year on a positive note. 

Many times whe we are consumed with our plans and moving full steam ahead we forget to rest. Taking a time out is unheard of. Lately for me my body has let me know otherwise. Taking a break is mandatory. Last week was the first time in I don't know how long that I came home and took a nap. I wasn't rushing to get out the house. I was tired so I listened to my body and got some rest. The same thing happened the other day. I'm out of town visiting with family and making p,and to see friends but after one afternoon outing I didn't feel like doing anything else so I put on pjs around 5pm and was sound asleep before 730pm. I woke up a few times but I didn't push myself to go hang out. I miss my friends and I value our time together but personal wellness comes first. 

So as we are in the last few weeks of this year I will continue to focus on what matters the most. Peace and wellness which come from spending time with God first and foremost. Devotional time and prayer, thanksgiving and reading the His word, this is where my guidance and Help come from. Spending time with myself, taking personal time for meditation, self reflection and awareness. Making sure I am at peace with myself. Every now and then you should check in with you to make sure you're ok. Spending time with my family, they are my strongest supporters and they keep me grounded. They are my reason for trying so hard to accomplish my goals and dreams. I'll spend as much time as possible with my significant other. He's extremely talented, smart, sweet and charming and he makes me happy, keeps me laughing and encouraged. These elements are my base and my foundation. With them I am grounded and in order to accomplish my future goals and dreams checking back in to home base with allow me to launch into 2016 in an amazing way. 

Dream BIG! Rest up. Enjoy family, friends and loved ones. Finish the year happy. Look forward to new beginnings. Be blessed

-Joi