Love and Thanks.

We should always spend a little time to reflect on the reasons we have to smile, but Thanksgiving is a special occasion to devote a little bit of extra gratitude to the little things that make our life a happier one.

For the first time in 2 years, I don’t have to board a plane or drive for hours just to be with the people I adore the most; for that, I’m incredibly grateful. But aside from waking up in my own bed, in the city I’ve loved all my life – this year during the most humble holiday of the year…

I’m most thankful for love.

Before you think this is going to turn into some sappy post about the love of my life and some guy who swept me off my feet – don’t worry it’s not. Because although I’m a huge hopeless romantic and usually get wrapped up in that cheesy, love of my life kind of stuff (and I am thankful to have found ‘love-love’ this year) I’m actually talking about the unconditional, raw, and genuine love from friends, family, and random strangers.

I’m thankful for family members who call me just to make sure I’m okay and to tell me that they miss me, for cousins who might as well be my brothers, and for aunts/uncles who play the role as my parents because they love me as their own.

I talk about being an only child all the time, but it’s not entirely true, and I’m grateful to have a half siblings that I can turn to when I need to – despite the fact that there’s a huge distances between where we live, our age, and our personalities. It’s cool to know that even though our lives have always been completely separated, we can still be a family and love each other as so.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have met some of the most compassionate, wonderful, and authentically beautiful human beings on the planet. Even better, is that I get to call them my friends.

I’m thankful to have good people with good hearts, who hold my hand and let me lean on their shoulder when I need it the most. I’m so happy to know people who don’t judge me on my flaws, encourage my better qualities, and who believe in me more than I sometimes believe in myself.

I’m grateful for old friends who found their way back into my life and made it better, and to random strangers who wiggled their way into my heart. There’s also certain, very special individuals who love me against all odds and dramatic life events – and I’m glad you’re here.

Every day, I feel overwhelmed with the love I’m offered by all sorts of different, amazing people in my life. Girls, guys, mentors, kindred souls and fellow warriors who dish out the best hugs, the most valuable advice and who stand behind me no matter my mood. They’re the people who sit with me when I’m sad, let me be mad, and force me to smile when I need a good reminder of how awesome this life is.

Life is a whole lot more beautiful because the love I share with so many incredible human beings. I hope you all know who you are – and I thank you for sharing a little bit of your hearts.

I’ve definitely got a soft spot for every single one of you in mine.

February 12, 2013February 13, 2013

Family.

While BC celebrated their very first “Family Day” this month, I was unfortunately spending the day in Edmonton – away from my own family for the second year in a row (I was in Edmonton during Alberta’s family day last year). After spending the past two years living in towns and cities that are distanced from the city I call home (Vancouver), I find myself more appreciative of the fact that I have the family I do – both blood related and non.

My real family – the people I share common blood with – are the most loving, caring and nurturing people I know. They’re funny and understand the importance of enjoying eachother’s company, but they’re also intelligent and dedicated to using their knowledge to make something of themselves in this world. They’re a great influence on me, and they encourage me to give my very best to everything I do.

But I’m also lucky enough to have a family of friends – who I’ve found along my journey of growing up and bouncing around between jobs and cities. People who were once random strangers, have become the most crucial and important people in my life. I couldn’t imagine my life without them and I love them as if they were truly a part of my family. They make me a better person, because they push me to follow my heart and find happiness. They take care of me and protect me – not because they have to, but because they want to. It’s a mutual feeling of honest love that we share, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

I know that family members can sometimes be extremely irritating or bothersome, and that some friendships can be dramatic or frustrating at times – but at the end of the day, these are the people who contribute to the awesome-ness of your life. So just remember to be real, be genuine and give them the best you can. They deserve it, and so do you.

And even though Family Day might be over, don’t forget to give your loved ones an extra tight squeeze, a big wet kiss, and a great reminder of how grateful you are to have them in your life.

October 7, 2012February 13, 2013

Let Me, Give Thanks.

Thanksgiving.

One of the simplest, uncluttered holidays of the year. No gifts, no unnecessary greeting cards, nothing superficial. Just family and love. It’s easy.

I’m thankful for many things in my life, but this year, I’m especially thankful for two things: People and Opportunity.

I’m thankful for the people who have believed in me. The people who have given me a chance to be myself and share my life with them. The people who have opened their arms to me and welcomed me to be a part of their own life. The people who have joined me in my adventures and helped create them. And mostly the people who have always supported me, loved me, and encouraged me to be my best.
Throughout 8 years of friendship, I’ve had the privilege of finding my soul-mate in my best friend; a woman I trust with my entire world and respect with my whole heart. She’s my better half, my kick-in-the-pants, and my partner in crime.

In my travels between BC and Alberta, I found friends in the most amazing people. I’ve fallen in lust, created friendships that will last a lifetime, and I’ve met some of the most interesting people I’ve ever known. I found a forever friend in someone twice my age, a mentor and good friend in a woman who’s respected by many, and I’ve created great bonds with many people who I would have never met without the decisions I made to relocate myself.

People I’ve always known, new faces, and even random strangers have wiggled their way into my heart and found a special spot. I’m okay with this and I hope those certain people stay there; my heart will continue to grow as I hopefully meet more people who exude pure awesome-ness.

The people I am the most thankful for: my family. Through good, bad, tears and every smile – they’re always there, no questions asked. I love them, for loving me unconditionally. They don’t judge me and they stand behind me with encouragement as I continue to try new things and find the best ways to live my life. I’m far from perfect, but that doesn’t matter to them.

Over the past (almost) two years, I’ve been blessed with incredible opportunities to leave an impact on this world. I’m lucky enough to have a job that allows to me to write every day and be myself. I’m so grateful to have found ways to fuel my passion for writing; I’m so happy that I get to share it with the world. Through my previous blog, my work in radio copywriting, and my freelance work for The Province blog page – I have a chance to write what I want. I get to express myself and people actually read my work. (THAT is SO cool! I’m still in awe over that, all the freakin’ time!)

The other day, I had a chance to hang out with the graduating class of the Broadcast Communications Radio program at BCIT. It was an extreme honour to be able to share my story and my insight on life after graduation and my experience in the industry. When I stop and think to myself that I only graduated a year ago, I’m totally shocked that they see me as someone worthy of offering advice. It was such a flattering experience and really opened my eyes as to how incredibly fortunate I am in my small successes thus far.

I’m thankful for so much in this life, but it’s the people and the life I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy in the past 19 months that has made me truly grateful to be… me.
Life isn’t perfect; it’s never going to be. So look at what you have, see the awesome in it and keep doing YOU.

Be thankful for what you’ve got, right now. Big or small – it’s gotta’ be something to smile about.