2014: A Year of Gratitude
This December marks the 3 year anniversary of writing my monthly column (wow, that happened fast!), and I’d like to thank all of my dedicated fans and readers for your loyalty. You inspire me more than you know and it’s been such a joy sharing my world travels and life experiences with you. It’s even more exciting to know the best is yet to come!
Over time, I’ve learned that having a year-round sense of gratitude gives an opening to the universe to pour out more goodness. The holidays seem to bring out the gratitude bandwagons which is great, but imagine how different your life would be if you were grateful on the daily.
The thing to realize is what some people see as a right, other people see as a gift. You woke up this morning, have running water, electricity and clothes to keep you warm – be thankful. As common place as these things are, there are so many people who don’t have any or all of these things.
By having a daily attitude of gratitude, you see everything as a gift. When you start expecting things, this brings about a sense of entitlement and entitlement is what kills gratitude. The best way to experience more gratitude is to express gratitude. To help me with this, I have a gratitude journal which forces me to pay attention to the good things in life and keep me in a positive state of mind.
Reflecting on 2014, I’m overwhelmed with the amount of blessings I’ve received. Don’t get me wrong, not every moment of this year has been unicorns and rainbows. You’d be appalled to hear some of the challenges and curve balls I’ve been faced with, especially as of late. But on the other side of overcoming that adversity has been a lot of inner reflection, meditation, realization, manifestation and gratitude which makes me real.
A week ago, my “Big Pimpin’” Nissan commercial for Groppetti Automotive started airing again in Central California. Almost 2 years later and that bad boy is still getting mileage! I’m so grateful for the response I’ve received from everyone back home when they see me in their living room, especially from The Rents (parents) and Mama Hall.
In last weekend’s service at Visalia First Assembly, Pastor Mike shared my testimony which was so humbling to hear and watch online. 2 years later, he got a nudge to share my story and was flooded with euphoria when I realized he was talking about me. It’s amazing to be used as a positive instrument of change and not even know it, hundreds of miles away in a different state. (Thank you, Tim, Linda, and Cory!)
It’s pretty incredible that these things are enough to have kept me happy all year, but they happened in just 1 week! These are signs to continue appreciating my year-round gratitude; not just during the holidays. They’re reminders that any challenges I’m facing I’ll get through them, and bigger things are ahead.
As I put a bow on 2014, I’m grateful for my wonderful parents who have coached and guided me into the person I am today, and all of my friends and family who listen, encourage and support me. I started the year with a killer trip back to my old stomping grounds in NYC, and I said if the rest of the year was going to be anything like January, it was going to be a legit year. It has been that AND more – Miami, Hollywood, LA, Vtown, Fresyes, Palm Springs, Long Beach, and making a full circle back around home to end the year and start another. Here we go … 2015, on and up, baby!
