Gratitude: Good for the Soul

**Blogging while watching 'This Is Us'...spoiler alert: It's a tear jerker.**

The holiday season is officially upon us - it always sneaks up, doesn't it? Hope everyone had a GREAT Thanksgiving. Even though we were in Iceland for the actual holiday, we still got our Turkey fix in. (Who am I kidding, the sides are my favorite). 

My Austin friends have an annual "Friends-giving" that Kyle and I have been going to for the past 4 years. This year was our first time hosting it. I LOVE hosting people in our home. Beautiful center peice, good food, delicious wine and hilarious games - nothing better!

My work family also threw our own Thanksgiving. It was so nice to bond outside of work with these amazing people. I am extremely grateful that I actually like seeing my team everyday. That is extremely rare and I do not take it for granted. 

So here is my annual "What I'm Thankful" list. I read an article that said  "People who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems." This has really stuck with me. I hope everyone takes time to think about what they are grateful for everyday, not just on a holiday.

I'm thankful for my eyesight - so I can see amazing sunrises. 

I'm thankful Bran came into my life. So much love from this dog. 

I'm thankful my niece is back home with her mom and dad and doing better.

I'm thankful for my functioning knees and legs - so I can dance and play volleyball whenever I want.

I'm thankful we have the means to travel to amazing places, experience other walks of life and meet different types of people.

Walking the streets of Reykjavik, Iceland

I'm thankful for living in a beautiful city I love.

Picnic under the super-moon

I'm thankful I live in a country where I can vote. (Even if the outcome is not what I hoped for).

 I'm thankful for my work family. I've said it before, I'll say it again.

Lastly, I'm thankful we found our passports. :)