Gratitude Journal no. 28

December 31, 2025

I am thankful for…

1. Time with my parents. They’ve been part of my whole life. While there have been moments and periods of contention, most of it has been pretty nice.

2. Failing this challenge of blogging. I set out to do a gratitude journal, which is a practice that should be done for the most part, daily. Well, I do truly take moments to pause and have gratitude on a daily basis, I failed to always get onto a device and document it for a future blog post. I guess I could consider using an easier tool and batch doing it for the future. I appreciate that I didn’t quit and that there’s room for growth so that I can try more in 2025.

3. Scheduling and backdating posts. Internet lets you time travel, and pretend that things were there before they really were. It’s also fun when you schedule something so far into the future that you forgot you were kind to your future self. Anyways, I am thankful for all the times I’ve been able to get things out in the world, regardless of when.

If you’re new here

I decided to challenge myself to publish my personal writing more, starting January 2024. From pausing to deliberately reflect to getting more disciplined about creating for myself, I jumped into this goal. For a little more on this journey, check out my first public Gratitude Journal entry.

Gratitude Journal no. 25

October 7, 2024

I am thankful for…

1. Decades long relationship. School friends, work friends, former bosses, former students, cousins, siblings, neighbors, business partners, customers, conference buddies, and parents. While they don’t all last beyond a decade, the ones that do, have some special qualities. This sort of relationship momentum can form - where you trust each other enough to not feel weird to connect even when it’s been a year.

2. poetry. It’s taken me some time to acknowledge that, for me, poetry is a hobby, an art, and a therapy. Some people go shopping, I write poems. I’m grateful for recognizing its importance in my life and for leaning into for the next few decades.

3. Views, vistas, and big skies. Whenever I can catch a view of a sky bigger than what I normally see in a day, I’m taken with awe. For me, it’s comforting to be reminded how we are just a tiny part of a bigger system. If I’m having a tough time, I look up and out. Breath in and out.

If you’re new here

I decided to challenge myself to publish my personal writing more, starting January 2024. From pausing to deliberately reflect to getting more disciplined about creating for myself, I jumped into this goal. For a little more on this journey, check out my first public Gratitude Journal entry.

Gratitude Journal no. 23

August 14, 2024

I am thankful for…

1. Summer trips to forests with people who I love to places that bring me joy. Rocks, lichen, moss, ferns, creeks, trees, sand, dirt - I’ll take it.

2. Work trips to new places. I’ve truly enjoyed the opportunity to travel to teach. As someone who likes seeing new places, I’ve always felt my work travel is a gift. While it is getting harder as my little ages, I still value opportunity to work, think, reflect, and experience new places on my own. Watching the sunset by myself in Cody, Wyoming is a moment I’d like to remember because I’m grateful to have had it.

3. Learning that going to bed early is the new sleeping in. I used to sleep in. That’s not really possible for a few more years (and as I age), so going to bed early is what must be done. It’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life. When I do finally find a way to do it, I always thank myself the next day… or even 4 days later. Sleep is life.

If you’re new here

I decided to challenge myself to publish my personal writing more, starting January 2024. From pausing to deliberately reflect to getting more disciplined about creating for myself, I jumped into this goal. For a little more on this journey, check out my first public Gratitude Journal entry.

Gratitude Journal no. 18

May 27, 2024

I am thankful for…

1. Walking meetings.

2. Hard hikes.

3. Road trips.

If you’re new here

I decided to challenge myself to publish my personal writing more starting January 2024. From pausing to deliberately reflect to getting more disciplined about creating for myself, I jumped into this goal. For a little more on this journey, check out my first public Gratitude Journal entry.