This time of year, a lot of us (myself included) seem to focus on the things we don't have, and I don't think it's on purpose. Everywhere you go, there is advertisement after advertisement. Everything for sale is just so shiny and new. It's hard not to get caught up in what you think you need in the heat of the moment. Just today I bought myself a new sweater and jeans, but I'm stressing out about last minute gifts for family members and trying to plan the remainder of my shopping around work. Though everything may not always go as planned (and retail therapy is not always the answer), it is important to remember what you are thankful for. Here's a short list from my short list.

1. My family

These People are literally why I'm here. My blood family is fairly small on both sides, and I also inherited some pretty awesome step family members as an adult. My mom gives me more than everything, and I really hope she knows how much I appreciate it (Santa may or may not still come to see me). We go on adventures with my living grandmother when I visit, and it's always the funniest. I'm working on fulfilling my duty of letting everyone know how great my great grandmother and grandparents were who are no longer here, and I hope I'm doing a good job.

2. My dog

My greyhound, Honey, has her very own personality that I can't really iterate to you unless you meet her in person. She will be silent for days until she has a demand, and then she will start "roo-ing" in this loud bass voice until you do what she wants. Her favorite food is garbage, she has visited an ophthalmologist, and the sound of kazoo music makes her super excited. She's roughly the size of an 8 year old, and she sleeps right in the center of my bed, usually with her giant butt directly next to my face. She's the best ever.

3. A rare off-day

These days are few and far between lately, but I'm so grateful whenever one comes along. I'm not sure how to feel about having realized that I used to take sleeping in for granted, but I totally did. I love a bra-optional day that I can spend with hot tea and a quilt and really focus on being personally productive.

4. The near future

I'm utterly floored to be genuinely excited about my life trajectory for the first time in a very long time. Some meaningful opportunities are approaching, and 2017 is looking so bright I'm gonna need shades.