… it happens. And there’s no sense in making myself feel bad for it.

But I do not need to stop being grateful. Being so busy, I get caught up in the stress of it all and can’t forget that actually taking the time to write. it. down. makes a difference in my whole life. So today, I’m grateful for:

• The ridiculously amazing team of young professionals that made the launch of this website out of this world amazing.
• Support from those that have come before us, that believe in us and simply show up for us (me).
• The Feeling from after a really great workout. Must remember that feeling.
• The incredible company I work for. I get to learn every. single. day. I get to wear jeans to work. Oh and did I mention, they’re giving me 10 days off so I can GO TO ISRAEL NEXT MONTH?!

So, that’s just a snapshot for right now. Because things are busy. But they aren’t going to slow down any time soon. So maybe you’ll hear from me again soon. Maybe it’ll be July before you do. I’m not sure … But I know I want to hold on to this feeling for as long as I can …

via

It’s been more than a month since my last gratitude post. Do you ever feel like you need to be beaten over the head with stuff?

writing makes you feel good

thud.

hey, working out? it is an immediate lift to your spirits

thud.

yeah, that gratitude thing? it works, babe.

thud, thud, THUD.

So today, and for the past month, I am super grateful for:

• Looking back on this and letting it make me smile.
• My seriously brilliant fiance for his endless support in LITERALLY. EVERYTHING. that I want/love/need [I feel like this is on basically every gratitude post, but it's true].
• Old friends, new friends, the excitement that comes with meeting someone new and you get each other.
• My little sister; without her, I literally could not survive.
• Supremely healthy meals cooked at home that are literally gourmet.

What are you grateful for this week?

*let’s pretend it’s still Wednesday, hmm?

Feeling icky and wallowy today. I know this blog, writing, showing gratitude, is not a miracle pill, but hopefully it helps a little …

• The way writing, seemingly miraculously, clears my head. I mean, duh, how many times do I need to relearn this one. Still grateful.
• Brad, for at least a besquillion items, but right now in particular for: cooking dinner, listening to my nonsensical dribble, lighting the Hanukkah candles with me, giving me time and space to write it out, building anything and everything, taking good care of my heart …
• #reverb10 for challenging me to broaden both my writing, and my community.
• This photo, for reminding me how important it is [both for me, and my loved ones] to be true to my feelings:

my mom and i on her wedding day

Yep, a SECOND blog post from me today. I’m impressed, too.*

feeling especially grateful today for:

• Incredibly smooth travel last week. I was sure Wiklers were cursed when it came to travel. But somehow, we drove to Sacramento (over the recently blizzarded** Sierra Nevadas) twice, got on six flights, made four connections AND received our bags at baggage claim twice.  Over Thanksgiving weekend. If that’s not a holiday miracle, I don’t know what is.
• Hugh, the incredible man my mommy just married on Saturday (and my new step-dad? Ok, that’s a little weird.) I know he will care for her for the rest of their lives, and I’m so grateful my parents have each found happiness in their new partners.
• Every single amazeballs person that’s participating in #reverb10. It is seriously inspiring to read [ok, no I can't read all 1,100 peoples' blog posts, but the ones I have read are incredible]. I know, without a doubt, I’m becoming a better writer, a better person for participating in this. Not only for the writing I am doing, but for what I’m being exposed to. I mean, just wow, you guys. Just follow the thread.
• The tingly feeling I get when I remember I’m gonna be his wife in just under two years. #mushy
• A new fridge on Friday!
• Hanging things up on walls, and how it makes our house feel even more like a home.
• Playing cards with sibs and giggling at things that make no sense at all.
• Trying my cousins delicious vegan Thanksgiving food (SERIOUSLY, the vegan pumpkin-chocolate bread pudding? SHUT UP.)

*Yep, it’s definitely been six hours since I first started this draft, but since I was traveling all Wednesday last week, and never really had a break to blog on Thanksgiving, I NEED to be publicly grateful right now!

**That’s right, blizzarded.

Short and sweet up in here:

• A working refrigerator, and promise of a new one on the way!
• Rockstar bff and seestor for helping me get through mountains of unpacking
• My madre getting married NEXT WEEK (!?!) and all of the family joyfulness and laughs that will come with it
• A free trip to Asheville for said wedding
• HARRY EFFIN POTTER TOMORROW NIGHT
• White wine cupcakes (srsly, they taste like actual wine and are so good)
• Endlessly, ridiculously supportive friends and family

And ironically, next week on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I’ll be traveling all day, and may or may not be able to post about gratitude, but I promise, I’ll be grateful, oh I will!

comma, comma, comma, run-on, run-on, run-on!!!

Whoops. I had every intention of writing down my gratitude, but somehow, yesterday got away from me.

As if you aren’t tired enough of my mushy gushy posts, today’s gratitude is ALL for the amazing man in my life. (Cue his red cheeks)

I already knew what a seriously, ridiculously incredible guy Brad is, but in case I needed some reinforcement, here’s the list of things I’m grateful for today (and probably still forgetting several):

• Installing a garbage disposal for us
• Haggling with every hardware store possible to get us the best prices possible so that I can somehow have EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED without going totally broke
• Building an entire laundry room (which involved cutting into the actual foundation of the house! More on that later)
• Hanging blinds and curtains so I don’t get all creeped out
• Taking care of our poor, pathetic cat during the crazy transition
• Watching Friends on DVD with me, even though I know he hates it
• Dealing with stupid people so that I don’t have to
• Moving all of our furniture while I was out of town. I MEAN, WHO DOES THAT?!

And lastly, for being the best future-husband on the entire planet. For supporting me, no matter what that means or looks like.

i am THE luckiest.

Oops. I forgot to be grateful last week. Well, that’s not entirely true. I’ve been all kinds of grateful for the amazing in my life. I’ve just been … uninspired.

That’s not really true either. Maybe it is, but it’s more than that. There’s been a lot of funk in my life the last few weeks. And I don’t mean in a funky-makes-you-wanna-dance way. I’ve been sick twice in the past two weeks. After this weekend, I won’t have had a weekend in Reno in three weeks. I’m moving. I haven’t been on a bike (read: gotten physical activity) in way too many weeks. I’ve neglected my one big extracurricular responsibility. I stopped reflecting.

But I’ve also realized that inspiration can be everywhere – I just have to go and find it.

One thing I know about myself is this: I’m most inspired in a group setting. There’s nothing like two or three or 10 minds getting together to brainstorm. Good thing I’m headed to Phoenix this weekend with a bunch of other like-minded people.

oh right, gratitude.

That said, I’ve learned enough times that gratitude is the quickest way out of some funk. I’m still going to be busy and moving and all of that. But that doesn’t mean I can’t take a minute to remember the amazing this week:

• Family. Old, new, present, future. Being around family this past weekend, being surrounded by love and congratulations (our engagement party) was kind of overwhelming. Seeing how well my family got along with Brad’s family (I knew they would) was heartwarming. It was all kinds of right. I can’t wait to be his wife. To be a part of his family and him, mine.
• The incredible work Brad has already done on our new home. I can’t wait to show you all the new laundry room! Oh, and the fact that he’s moving all our furniture while I’m out of town? I will owe him BIG.
• This blog. For being here when I need it, and not getting mad at me when I’m not.

There’s a lot going on in my head right now. So much that I feel like there are about 20 or so blog posts floating around in there somewhere. Unfortch, right now I just can’t make enough time for it. I’m trying so hard to make writing for me a priority right now, but between the blog and my journal … I’m doing a terrible job.

I’m promising myself that there will be time for writing after the move is finished (11/14-ish) because my soul, the writer in me, needs it.

But right now, there is work and there is moving. And that’s about it. Oh there’s also a trip to Vegas next weekend for some family time and an engagement party, but I’m considering putting myself in a timeout.

That said, there is always time for gratitude. I need to take time each week (each day would be better*) to consciously take note of what I’m grateful for, big and small. It all matters, and it all contributes to this wonderful little thing called my life. So today, dear friends, I’m grateful for:

• the tolerance, acceptance and love that was fostered in my upbringing
• puffies
• my future mother-in-law, and our growing relationship
• soup
• food that matches the yellow-orange leaves outside, and general fall-type meals (butternut squash, anyone?)
• my incredible future husband, for building the most awesome laundry room ever (are we old fogies now, or what?)
• the wiggly, exciting feeling I get when I remember that guy is going to be my husband
• BFFs and FMILs for going to totally insane and overwhelming bridal shows with me
• Oh yeah, and my new house, and the tender love and care [and, AHEM, money] we’re putting toward it before moving in and making it a home

what’s filling you with gratitude today, and this week?

Today, I’m grateful for:

• Loan documents, signed
• Down payment, wired
• KEYS? FRIDAY MORNING!!!!

In other, non-house-related gratitude:

…

Nope, sorry, you’re just getting house excitement and capslock because

HOLY CRAP GUYS IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS, I WILL BE A HOMEOWNER AND HOME DEPOT AND HIGH EFFICIENCY WASHER/DRYER SETS AND PAINTING WALLS AND AND AND TOO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This post just exudes a mature new homeowner attitude, does it not?

Wow. I feel like my brain is seriously swimming in 40 thousand different feelings and emotions. Do you know what it’s like to be so sure about your life and so confused about it all at the same time? Overwhelming to say the least.

On this totally insane week, I am grateful for:

• The people who have come before me, paved the way, and been there and back. And then want to help me go through it. There are people in this world who are MEANT to be teachers, and I’m so glad they do what they do. Inspire. Invigorate. I’m taking it all in.
• True heart-to-hearts with my mom. They don’t happen too often, but when they do, it’s like magic. I’m so lucky.
• Brad’s parents and their support and upcoming help when we move in and start doing stuff to the house.
• THE FACT THAT I WILL BE A HOMEOWNER IN T-9 DAYS
• This girl. For serious.
• Ad2 National.
• Brad – for TURNING DOWN NU YALK PIZZA so that we could cook a healthier option for dinner last week – among many other things.
• Realizing the importance of the small joys in life.
• Journaling again.

And at least 400 more.

what are you so grateful for this week that you might explode?*

*lets just ignore the fact that this week’s gratitude post compared to last week’s make me seem/feel completely bipolar. It’s good.