PAUSE. If you haven’t already checked out my previous #ThoughtfulThursdaysWithJas blog post, click here.

Since it’s the fourth Thursday in November – also known as Thanksgiving – I’m switching things up. Thanksgiving is an amazing holiday because it allows us to take a step back and reflect on the blessings that we have been given in our lives.

Today, I’m writing 24 things I’m thankful for to coincide with the years I’ve been alive on this earth. I encourage you to do the same.

1. God- One thing that I can always rely on is God. Without Him, I honestly couldn’t even begin to imagine where I would be right now. God has taught me the importance of being content with where I am at this very moment despite where I would like to be in the future. The fact that He gave His only son to die for humanity so that those who believe could have eternal life is a testament to His love for us.
2. Life- It’s so easy for us to look on social media and see people with all of the things that we want, but the fact that I woke up today is a tremendous blessing. Some people didn’t get to see this day.
3. Family- I’m not going to lie; my family annoys me – a lot. On that same token, I know they will be there for me when it matters. Yeah, you may not have what the world deems as a “traditional family,” but to be honest, who does? Families are teeming with struggles and secrets. Hug your loved ones, and let them know what they mean to you. I do this to my intermediate family all the time. They may find it annoying, but you never know how long you’ll have with someone until they’re gone.
4. Friends- There’s nothing like having a good group of friends. In the past, I have defined having good friend groups by the number of people that I associated with. These days, I have grown to understand that there’s power in small numbers. I am thankful for the group of friends I have surrounded myself with.
5. My Love- My boyfriend has been kicking it with me for a long, long time. As you can imagine, the honeymoon stage has dissipated. We have dealt with both good and bad times, and yet, our love for one another has grown. With our eyes on God, I know we can face anything.
6. My Church Family- This year has definitely been a trying one, but I am so glad that God has blessed me with people of faith who are truly selfless. I know that if I need them, they would be right there encouraging me and uplifting me.
7. Strangers- On my daily commute, I am constantly running into people I have never met before. It’s so easy to ignore them and go on with my life, but I have made more of an effort to make an impact on those people even if I won’t ever see them again. By doing this, I have made acquaintances with various people that just started by saying hello and asking how their day was going. You never know the impact you can make on someone. I know I have been blessed by strangers I have met in passing.
8. Shelter- Some people aren’t able to stay with their parents until they save up. I am. Thanks be to God. Rent is expensive.
9. My Job- There’s so much more that I want to do in terms of my career, but I know that I am where I am for a reason. I have learned so much from just the couple of years I have been at my job. I know that isn’t in vain.
10. My Finances- Trust me, I know what it’s like to be a broke college kid. Having a big girl job has its perks.
11. Food- Oh how I love food. Though, it’s something that I so easily take for granted. There are people that don’t know where their next meal will come from. I choose to reflect on that when I say there’s no food in the house, which there always is.
12. Clothes- I can get up and look through a closet full of shirts, jackets, pants, and shoes. That is blessings on blessings on blessings.
13. My Car- I have a 2010 Honda Civic named Shirley, and she’s a gem. My dad helped me pay her off, and now, I just have to make sure I take care of the maintenance so she can last for a long, long time.
14. My Education- I know how much it cost to put me through school. Not only did I go to an expensive college, but I also went to private school for most of my life. I do not take the sacrifice my parents made lightly.
15. My Electronics- I typed this out on my laptop. On top of that, I have a cellphone, an iPod and a TV. In such a technological age, seldom do we stop and give thanks for all of these things. I am grateful that I can aimlessly scour the web after a long day when I know there are many more valuable things I could be doing with my time. That is a luxury some cannot afford.
16. My Eyesight
17. My Limbs
18. The Mobility In My Limbs
19. My Hearing

Countless people are born with or develop defects in their body. I can see, walk, and hear without any problem. I know I’m blessed.

20. Music- Music is fuel for me. Think about what you listen to on the train, at work, on the car and even at home. Imagine that it was taken from you.
21. Books- My love for reading has grown over the years. Now, I have written a book, and I am working on another one during this NaNoWriMo. It’s amazing how lost I can get in one, exploring the life of someone else.
22. Movies- I’m convinced that my boyfriend, Chris, and I should be movie critics. We go to see a movie in the theater almost every week – Five Dollar Tuesday is where it’s at.
23. Writing Ability- When I was younger, I wasn’t too keen on spelling and writing. In fact, I wasn’t very good at it. If you told me back then that my job and personal hobby would be submersed in writing, I’m not too sure I would believe you. I am thankful to God for this gift.
24. Singing Ability- Just as much as I like to listen to music, I love to sing covers or my own originals. I know this is one of my spiritual gifts, and I am thankful God gave it to me.

This is just skimming the surface of all of things I am thankful for. God has blessed me in abundance, and I am truly grateful. If you are reading this, I am thankful that you stopped by.

Give thanks today. Tomorrow is not promised.

-Jas