thankfulness.

I love this time of year.

People smiling from ear to ear, the willingness to give without expecting anything in return, love flowing from the hearts of most everyone. The holiday season really is the most wonderful time of the year. As much as I love how thankful we all get during these few months, I just can't help but think how awesome it would be if we stayed this thankful every day of every year, not just when it's expected of us. It keeps us humble and allows us to see things in a more refreshing perspective, both of which, I believe, bring us closer to who we were created to be.

I hope I never live a day without saying at least a hundred "thank you"s. I hope I never take a breath without immediately thanking the one who supplied it. I pray I never grow tired of being grateful for all the little and big things I get blessed with. And may I never forget how to separate the really important things from the not-so important ones.

If I listed all the things I am thankful for, the list would never, ever end. There are, however, a few that I am extra thankful for and would gladly shout them out from a mountaintop if I were on top of one. :)

my husband.

my family.

my second family.

the three ladies I count on most.

my very best friends (all in one place at the same time, might I add).

my favorite city.

brilliantly-colored sunsets.

God's creation at the tip of my fingers.

my church.

my alma mater.

My advice to you? Be thankful. And be intentional about it.

Always.

Always.

Always.

As much as I hate to say goodbye to my second favorite month, my heart is exploding at the thought that the one month I wish would last and last begins tomorrow. I'm so ready for you to be here, December! I'm certain that you will make my heart beat a thousand beats a minutes just by showing up.

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily."

-Gerald Good