8 Reasons I’m Extra Grateful this Thanksgiving Season

I believe gratitude should be practiced every single day.

And I know it can be challenging when we’re going through difficult situations and circumstances that ultimately test our human spirits. I try to live a life of daily gratitude, so these are already reasons that give me pause to say “Thank you God!”.

But this Thanksgiving season, I wanted to take an extra moment to stop and reflect amid the noise and surface emotions that come with living our lives online all the time.

My husband – As they say, behind every married feminist is an even stronger secure man, and my husband means everything to me. He is the most amazing man I’ve ever met and his support and unconditional love fills me up anew every single day. He is also an amazing listener and those of you who have met him can attest to this. He listens very deeply and intently. A quality that makes him even more attractive. He was recently asked by some teenage boys how they could meet girls and his advice?

“Listen to them. Truly listen.”

Very wise man.

My kids – I don’t even remember what my life was like before they came into it and I never, ever want to imagine my life without them. They are my heart and soul and every single day when they scream “Mama!”, I come undone.

My extended family – My vocal and feisty siblings are the grounding and reality check I always need. Plus having parents who are like friends which I can talk to about anything is a precious gift I cherish every single day.

Health – The last 3-4 months have been the most stressful over the last few years. I was physically well on track towards my 2016 focus word of “Strength” until I got emotionally derailed by the most contentious election season in modern history. I didn’t sleep well because I was following the coverage 6 hours ahead of EST in Sweden. I was constantly stressed which I don’t react well to physically. So I am very grateful for my health despite all this and plan on making 2017 my year of zero stress.

Freedom of choice – I am very grateful to be born during an era and time where I have the freedom to choose my destiny (within my own control), choose my beliefs, my faith, my values, and my personal convictions. I am grateful to be living in a part of the world that fosters this and this privilege is definitely not lost on me.

Work flexibility – Walking away from a career I actually loved wasn’t easy but I knew the flexibility I was going to gain based on that decision was going to be totally worth it.

The gift of travel – I’m so grateful to be doing what I love every single day and it involves travel from various angles. From independent travels, going on assignments, and travels with global campaigns to organizing Nordic campaigns through the NordicTB collective which I’m a co-founder of. I live and breathe travel and my family has fully integrated it into our lifestyle in a sustainable and natural way.

The right to vote – I recently shared my deep feelings about the outcome of the election in this post. Above all, the right to vote and express our concerns and choices for president is a privilege I don’t take lightly.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you consider and call family and friends whoever and wherever they may be.