Grateful, such a simple word but a powerful, one that seems to be constantly on my mind. Recently it is the word I use to start my day off; as I lay in Shavasana during yoga practice or as I cuddle my kids during a morning cartoons. I take a single moment to stop thinking about the day ahead and yesterday, and just think about what I am most grateful for. The first thought that comes to my head is the one I focus and sent intentions on for the full day. It helps to calm myself, and later when I hit a struggle (or toddler tantrums) I am brought back to that thought of gratitude.

I think I have always been a pretty grateful person, in the recent years (call it old age) I have realized the things I need for a happy life are right here in front of me – in my hands and in my heart. I am a simple person with simple tastes, the whole less is more trend is a great one and one I think I have been accidentally living my whole life. It wasn’t until recently that I realized a more important part of this simple/basic trend is feeling grateful. Finding out in your heart what makes you feel grateful everyday, and remove the excess clutter. Definitely a life long and age old goal, one that has crept into every aspect of my life – through the books I read, how I practice yoga, how I spend my time, and how I speak and interact with others.

I’m not going to post a long list of the things I’m grateful for, it’s actually pretty short and simple – because the big things, trickle down and make the small things happen.

I am most grateful for: My husband, the man who has helped me build our entire world, the amazing man who works 6 days a week 14+ hours a day to provide for us, and always keeps a smile on my face and an embarrassing laugh in my voice. My kids, who have taught me more about myself in the short time they have been here then anyone/thing else, who have taught me how to love pure and simply and shown me how to see the world thru simple non-jaded eye (grateful I get to be their Momma!). My family, for endless support, love,  for shaping me into who I am (and for still shaping me), and for being equally awesome and crazy (the good kind). My friends, because even though we don’t share a blood line it does not mean we aren’t family.

This is my simple list (the top four of my list), as without these 4 things I would not have the perfect place to call home, a passion for the creative, a love for learning, a career path that is constantly growing and expanding, a smile on my face, love in my heart and food in my belly.

And since we are on the topic I really need to say how grateful I am for this little corner of the internet. A place that is mine to share freely about the things I love, to let some of my creativity lose, and a place where I have met so many amazing people (that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to meet). A place that has helped me learn, grow, and focus on the things I truly feel passionate about and also the things that need improvements.  I am ever so grateful for the amazing opportunities and financial help it has given me – in a time when our whole world got flipped arond and me going back to work wasn’t a possibility, this little blog became the place I both loved to come everyday and the thing that helped me contribute to our families bills. And for all those reasons I express my sincere gratitude, to you readers and my lovely sponsors.

So I know this post is filled with much more gooey cheese then you are used to from me, sometimes I just have to share what is heavy on my heart or brain – once in a while I have to play my serious card. With that being said, it’s your turn: What are you grateful for? Start a list, take the first thing that comes to your mind in that moment and focus on it – keep a running list of the things that make your world and there you have your less is more.