I am grateful for having an escape in music. It has provided me with an intermission when things get to be too much. Song lyrics finds themselves precariously popping up as supplements to many of my random experiences.

I am thankful for 2 women who are my BFFs by label but so much more than that.  They are family.  An extension of me.  They make laugh at random moments in a day.  They keep me calm when I want to scream and get dramatic at the wrong time.  I can count on them for an ear or advice, without ever telling them which one I need. 

I am grateful for the small reprieves in a long day of work.  Those moments where I don’t have to be ‘on,’ and I can just be whatever it is I want to be at that moment: sarcastic, happy, smiling, or my inner fat girl. Those moments when I can just walk away for a second and just breathe (yougottaletitgo, letitgosoyoucangrow).

I’m grateful being able to live in an area where I can party all night, have a cozy night in or take a day trip to any number of surrounding states.  One of the best decisions I made was to move to DC.

I am grateful for health benefits!!!!  I went through a point when I did not have health insurance, and I can only imagine how people with serious health issues deal with their day-to-day needs. 

I am grateful for the friends I have made since moving to DC. They have helped me battle my bouts of homesickness. They made my transition to the city easy and fun. I certainly wouldn’t have lasted this long without them. :-)

I am grateful for my mother who raised me with impeccable work ethic and the ability to know that I can change my circumstances whenever I choose.  She empowers me to be myself and not be afraid to acknowledge my mistakes.  I know I will always land on my feet and have her guidance to help me.

I’m grateful for a gut that tells me when I need to step it up and when to take a back seat.  Over the last few months, I’ve had more real life application of “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” than I’ve had my entire life.  It’s taught me that I am more flexible than I realize and because of that realization, I know I’ll always be fine.