Top 5 Things I'm Grateful For This Thanksgiving!

Hello readers! I've missed writing to you all. In the midst of living and soaking up a plethora of opportunities that life has bestowed upon me, I thought I'd take a moment, reflect, and enjoy some personal writing. As we look on our calendars, it's hitting us that 2013 is coming to a close and before we can unwrap presents & drink champagne to send off the year, we have to gather around the table and indulge. That's right, it's Thanksgiving! Can you believe that it's turkey time yet again? Let the warm and fuzzy feelings commence! Now, let's get to the nature of this post. Last year, I decided to forgo a "Top 10" list and stick to one long post. Well, I'm bringing the list back. But, instead of 10 things I'm grateful for, it'll be 5. So, let's jump right in, the Top 5 things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving are:

5. Sports - 2013 has been a trying year for me, in all capacities, and oddly enough, it's been sports that has provided a form of escapism. From the Yankees and there never-ending saga of triumph/defeat to the All Star Game turning rivals into friends for 3 hours to Duke basketball showing promise with the emergence of Jabari Parker, sports has allowed me to center and gather my thoughts while playing coach and GM to the masses. Thank you, guys!

4. Meaningful Friendships - The saying goes, "friends come into your for a season and/or reason" and this year, I've made friends who will surely be in a presence for many seasons to come and I've kept friends whose value continues to climb. It has been through their laughter, listening ears, and increasing optimism that has made an impact on my life. When old friendships and new friendships collide, there is no force that can break our bonds. 

3. Childlike Spirit - There's nothing greater than watching the same Looney Tunes episode of Bugs Bunny giving Gossamer a makeover while saying in a Brooklyn Italian accent, "You monsters make very inter-esting people" and cracking up as if it's the first time it's crossed your path. When everything seems to be caving in, flipping to Cartoon Network and watching Adventure Time is the remedy. If cartoons can find silver linings, so can we!

2. Wisdom- I've seen a lot and have encountered life changing moments and while the majority of what transpired was due in part to what I call"mistakes", I've come to define them as unnecessary/necessary events. What made them unnecessary was their timing but, what made them essential was that I was able to see past the event and analyze it for what it really was. For me it's truly been about the "take-home" message. 

1. In A Nutshell, Everything - No matter if it's compiled into a list, simple message, or holiday greeting, I give reverence to an all encompassing year. Trying or abundantly blessed, I'm grateful for everyone and everything in my life. 

Well folks, that's my list. It is my hope that you use this Thanksgiving to reflect on what your heart sings and what has awakened your spirit. Stuff your faces and be merry!

XOXO,

Whitney

A Thanksgiving Message Just For You!

Hello readers. As you all continue your prepping for Thanksgiving with copious amounts of chopping and seasoning or memorizing the aisles of your favorite department store as Black Friday approaches, I wanted to take this time to wish you and your families a happy Thanksgiving. As I sit here and type, having just washed my hands of brown sugar, garlic, and onions, I wanted to relay this message to you. Now, normally I would do my famous "Top 10"list but this year, I've decided to keep it short and sweet & take in all of my blessings. Because I'm always counting, it doesn't seem as daunting to sit back and reflect. I'm thankful for the basic necessities that aid in my life running smoothly. Having adequate health, shelter, clothing, and the ability to spread my knowledge through teaching high school students is always at the top of my list but I'm also thankful for the friends and family who continue to be positive influences in my life. Their love and words of wisdom are just what I need to help me be better. 

I'd also like to thank you my faithful readers who I keep coming back to see what new and interesting things I have to say. Although my posts may be sporadic, sometimes I don't write from months on end, when I look at the "Pageviews" in the Stats section of Blogger, I am in awe that you all are fascinated and drawn into what I have to say. It means a lot and here's to many more months and years of blogging about sports and entertainment.

As I wrap up, I hope that you all enjoy this day and all it has to offer. No one should be a "Negative Nancy" on a day that celebrates blessings & altruism. "Positive Pollyism"(yes, it's a made up word) should be rampant today so stuff your faces & if you like the New York Jets like me, let's cheer them on :).

XOXO,
Whitney

Top 10 Things I'm Thankful For This Thanksgiving

As the year approaches its end, there are two things besides New Years Eve that we folks get all warm and fuzzy about: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today is Thanksgiving and if God, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, or the Universe has allowed you to partake in the festivities, please take a moment and express your thanks. It doesn't take much to walk away from the noise, look up to the sky, and sincerely utter "thank you"therefore, find the energy and make it happen. Now I know we all want to get back to our families and stuffing our faces so here are the Top 10 things I'm more than grateful for this holiday season: (Disclaimer: There are a few things that I am thankful that many of you have seen before. It was too good not to use again)

10. Laughter - There's no greater feeling than to find something extremely funny and chuckling loudly until your stomach hurts. If you're fortunate enough to have a variety of sources to make your stomach hurt such as television, radio, and friends, then you are in my book a winner. I enjoy the moments where those in my life can change my mood from sullen to ecstatic. It it those moments that I live for and look forward to everyday. If you haven't found your means of laughter, please do so because having frown lines around your lips from laughter says a lot.

9. Positivity- We can all agree that the ability to find the silver lining in every situation is a job within itself and while there have been times when pessimism occupied my life, I couldn't help but muster up the strength to thing happy thoughts. You'd be surprised to see how your whole outlook and day changes when you alter the way you look at your life and find solutions to your problems.

8. Wisdom- I've seen a lot and have encountered life changing moments and while the majority of what I've seen and encountered were because of what you all may call "mistakes", I call them unnecessary/necessary events. What made them unnecessary was their timing but what made them essential was that I was able to see past the event and analyze it for what it really was.

7. Unlimited Opportunities - I am blessed with the opportunity to love, be loved by many, and share what I have to the world. I will continue to exhaust all the energy that I have to give back and enable someone to half half of the opportunities I have.

6. Health- No list would be complete without being thankful for good health. In this crisis that we continue to weather through everyday simple necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and health have been sacrificed for millions. I am thankful to have great coverage with my health insurance plan and I'm grateful for the 2 colds that Ive had this year. It would seem odd that I'm thankful for colds but to treat my colds with NyQuil and sleep vs extended hospital stays and surgeries.

5. Knowledge - When it comes to proper education for all, you all know that I will effortlessly fight to ensure that all children have the means to great education. I was fortunate enough to attend great schools throughout my journey of learning and when I think about the corrupt systems in place that seek to destroy the basic right of education, it makes my blood boil. We all have to do better in ensuring that our children have bright futures so let's get the ground running!

4. Consistency - I know many people whose lives have gone from close to perfection to earth shattering chaos. I am grateful that for the past year, there have been some things that have remained constant and they are: family, friends, love, health, and employment. While everything else has shifted and the time has gone by, these things have either been constant or slightly improved but never depreciated or have left.

3. Employment - Oh readers, this right here is the mother load. With the recession and the unemployment rate increasing, disgruntled and fed up citizens have taken to the streets and "Occupied Wall Street".  Demanding that regulation be reinstated, the CAMELS system enforced, and economic equality for all, folks have decided to camp out in the city to voice their frustrations. I am thankful for having a job and income coming in. To see people that I know grapple with unemployment is disheartening but also eye opening. Before you decide to complain about your boss and the extra work he/she gave you, think about those having to decide between paying their rent or putting food on the table because they're a week away from being laid off.

2. Family- I'm certainly not a one dimensional woman, there are definitely many angles that make up who I am. I attribute that to my family. I'm thankful for their loving, caring, blunt, outrageous, and downright sincere nature. Without that array of qualities to choose from, I would be bland and boring...eww those words are nasty.

1. Love- There's no way I could have the ability to reflect on anything if I didn't reserve a huge chunk of heart for love. The ability to love and in turn be loved back is indescribable. You truly have to experience it to begin to help me define it. There's no greater feeling than telling someone "I love you" and having them saying it back and hearing the genuine emotion. I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

Well readers, there you have it, the 10 things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving. May you all enjoy this holiday and stop to give genuine thanks for things in your life.

XOXO,

Whitney

Top 10 Things I'm Thankful For This Thanksgiving

As we gather to celebrate another Thanksgiving, I feel as if this is another year where being reflective has much more meaning than it has in the past. While I'm sure many of you have taken more than your fair share of hours to sit and be grateful, my time for reflection is 365 days a year, I can't help but think the more you hear the unemployment rate rise by another percent, the more your hand rests under your chin and you sigh. Well here's a little secret....I do it too. So let's begin with the Top 10 Things I'm Thankful For This Thanksgiving:

10. Loyalty- Now you may be scratching your head but hear me out. Loyalty is hard to come by today when people are working and doing for themselves. The "me me me" attitude has overshadowed camaraderie, working together, and sticking together. I'm thankful that the people I work with and the friends I have are all about sticking together and not throwing one another under the bus.

9. Optimism- It takes a lot of work to consistently find the silver lining in every situation and while I haven't been perfect in always being 100% positive, I've tried my best to always think that there's a reason for everything. So far, I think it's done me well to keep smiling.

8. Wisdom- I've seen a lot and have encountered life changing moments and while the majority of what I've seen and encountered were because of what you all may call "mistakes", I call them unnecessary/necessary events. What made them unnecessary was their timing but what made them essential was that I was able to see past the event and analyze it for what it really was. So, I haven't made mistakes but I've made some unnecessary/necessary happenings.

7. Opportunity- The opportunity to love, be loved, and blessed is sometimes a luxury that many can't afford. I make it my mission in life to exhaust all energy to give back. I'm thankful for the energy I find to do this.

6. Health- I couldn't exhaust energy to give back if I didn't take care of my immune system. It's quite the routine eating healthy, getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and I try to achieve this and am I'm proud of the results. So, I'm thankful that my body has survived the chicken pox when I was 5 and continue to survive the common colds I get. Yes, I've never gotten the flu, broken any bones, etc so I hope to continue that streak.

5. Education- Those who know me well can tell you how I am a champion of education. All I talk about is how to reform and revamp the school system and how I'm working on writing a proposal to Congress. It's clear that my passion for all is the ability to succeed in an academic setting. I was blessed to have received a great education from kindergarten to college and I wish that for ALL children.

4. Shelter- Now while this may be #4, it still holds high importance. I'm thankful for the fact that I can rest and wake up in the same bed...in the same apartment that I've known for nearly 22 years. Many can't say they had such stability but whatever the situation...refer back to #9 and find your silver lining.

3. Religion- The past 2 years have shaken the spiritual and religious core of folks. Having to make decisions between paying the rent/mortgage and feeding the family really made people question their level of faith and belief in God. I've had my moments where my faith packed up and left and I'm proud my faith returned. I know without my belief in God and my spirituality that I would be completely broken.

2. Family- I'm certainly not a one dimensional woman, there are definitely many angles that make up who I am. I attribute that to my family. I'm thankful for their loving, caring, blunt, outrageous, and downright sincere nature. Without that array of qualities to choose from, I would be bland and boring...eww those words are nasty.

1. Love- There's no way I could have the ability to reflect on anything if I didn't reserve a huge chunk of heart for love. The ability to love and in turn be loved back is indescribable. You truly have to experience it to begin to help me define it. There's no greater feeling than telling someone "I love you" and having them saying it back and hearing the genuine emotion. I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.

Well there you guys have it. These are things I'm grateful for. I would love to hear what you guys are grateful for this Thanksgiving...after you find the energy from stuffing your faces of course.

XOXO,
Whitney