After losing my friend Hendo earlier this week, I began to think even more about all of the people and other blessings in my life. While this list is certainly not complete, here are the things I am most thankful for:
1. My friends and family. They are such an incredible support system and bring so much joy to my life. I would not be the person I am today or have the life I have without them. If I want to get together with friends, I practically have my own listserv of 50+ names. I'm never alone, and as an extrovert, I am very thankful for that!
2. My education and my work. Not a day goes by that I don't think about going to Dartmouth and what an amazing opportunity going to that school was (or the very fact that I grew up in a country where women can go to school in the first place). That degree has opened so many doors for me, and I have been able to build a career in a field I love because of that critical stepping stone. The work I have done for environmental non-profits has been very rewarding, and I hope I can continue to organize events for a number of worthy causes far into the future.
3. Food, running water, a roof over my head. I think many of us take these necessities for granted, but they must be on this list for obvious reasons.
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| Photo by Matthew Wallin |
4. My health. I am a very active person, and I love that I am able to participate in some of my favorite hobbies: hiking, kayaking, dancing, yoga, all of my gym classes, tennis... My joints might be a little achy sometimes, and I haven't been able to run since 2012, but I am still grateful for all of the physical things I can do. Being with my grandmother this week has also shown me how important my health is. I want to be as active as I can now before I'm too old to enjoy it!
5. Living in an urban area with lots to do. I like keeping busy, and DC makes that easy to do. I'm forever seeing and doing fun things, from supporting the arts to visiting nearby parks to shopping at neighborhood markets. My worst nightmare is sitting home alone watching TV, and being in DC makes it so I'm never bored! And I am thankful that I have the discretionary income to take advantage of all of it!
6. The local Jewish community. I didn't grow up Jewish (other than celebrating Passover and Hanukkah), and even in college I wasn't very involved in Hillel. But once I moved to the DC area nearly seven years ago, I have had the chance to be very involved. I worked at a synagogue, I go to Shabbat once a month, and I participate in
Moishe House events regularly. I have met so many fun people while at the same time becoming closer to my faith. My belief in God is stronger than ever and is forever growing.
7. My confidence and self-respect. Far too many women hate themselves or don't believe in themselves, and perhaps never will. I am so thankful that my parents raised me in a way that built up my self-esteem; they always told me I was smart and beautiful, and it's like a mantra I tell myself every day. I truly love who I am, and if someone doesn't like me, that's on them. Too many women care too much about what other people think of them. Take it from me: you will be much happier if you give fewer f**ks. Nothing is sadder than seeing people trying to impress others to make themselves feel better. You shouldn't have to prove anything to anyone, ever.
This list could go on and on, but seven seems like a lucky number, so I'll stop there. What are you most thankful for this holiday?
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