This year has been one for the books, in many ways. Life has been crazy for lack of a better word. Whether it’s gaining or losing loved ones, stress from being under or overworked, or facing one of many setbacks, there’s no shortage of reasons to want to start 2021 already. But with Thanksgiving only 3 days away, many people are finding ways to show their gratitude for even the smallest of gestures, which is what this season is all about. So I say let’s work to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving alive throughout this holiday season, into the new year, and beyond!

In fact, that might just be the lesson 2020 is trying to teach us. To be thankful for what we already have rather than always in pursuit of our next goal. Because when it comes down to it and we can’t or aren’t able to continue working on certain goals, it takes appreciating the goals we have accomplished and allowing ourselves to be more present. I can even think of 3 Thanksgiving lessons that this year has resembled that I just didn’t realize until I gave it some time and thought. Maybe you’ll see the connection too!

Attitude Of Appreciation

Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful for the people, places, and things we hold near and dear to our heart. But what if we were to take that mindset and apply it toward 2020? I know it may not be easy to do, especially for those who have lost any of those things this year. But I truly believe that when we lose something important to us, it shouldn’t turn us into bitter, resentful people. Instead it should give us an appreciation for what we had to begin with. That’s just life.

So even though we might’ve lost some things this year, what did we end up gaining? A newfound love or skill that was long-lost or never discovered? Perhaps a reminder to be present and not as hard on yourself? I personally am grateful for my health, my family, the knowledge I’ve gained, the experiences I’ve had, and much more. And what if we were to voice our gratitude and appreciation? What difference do you think you could make by telling someone how much of a difference they’ve made? A huge one!

Rectifying And Resolutions

It’s around this time every year that I start to think of what resolutions I want to create for myself for the new year. This year though, is a little different. I don’t know if my husband and I can have the goal of traveling to Hawaii for our honeymoon like we’d hoped a year ago. I don’t know if I can still work on my business in ways other than electronically. And I don’t know if I can plan on becoming a mom because as much as anyone hopes and plans to become a mom, it’s ultimately not 100% our choice. Nature has a say.

But I am still going to set resolutions I know are within my control. I’m still going read a book a month, which is a resolution I’ve used twice now and am proud to say have stuck to. I’m still going to set new goals for my business and myself to reach in whatever ways are possible. And I’m still going to work on becoming more of the person I ultimately want to become. Just because our check engine light is on doesn’t mean we’re out of service. We just need to evaluate, work on the problem, and keep moving forward the best we can.

No Time Like The Present

If there’s one lesson that’s really truly stuck with me this year, it’s that there really is no time like the present. We can’t really fully prepare ourselves for what’s coming next. We can plan for a wedding, trip, emergency, or whatever else we may try to prepare for, but we can’t predict if things will pop up and get in the way. Yes, I was lucky and fortunate enough to have my wedding go through unlike so many other brides out there, one that I know personally. But I also dealt with many setbacks along the way that had me believing it wouldn’t happen.

From the virus to wildfires to even losing one of my best friends and MOHs, I had to learn to take it one day at a time. I can’t make someone continue to choose to be my friend if they don’t want to. The smoke from the wildfires added an element to the photography that is mystical. If the venue fell through, we were going to have an intimate ceremony at his grandparents to still make it official. And when we couldn’t have the honeymoon we planned, we created one on the spot and still had a blast! As the saying goes – Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift which is why it’s called the present.

The Dance Of Life

Life is unpredictable. Sometimes it feels as if we’re taking one step forward and two steps back Other times it might feel as if we’re taking one leap forward but then two steps to the side. But the road to ‘success’ or happiness or whatever destination you have set in your GPS isn’t straight and paved. It’s windy. Sometimes it’s dark and we have to go a little slower than normal. Sometimes it’s narrow and almost feels too scary to keep going. And sometimes we may even run into dead ends and have to turn around and look for a new path.

But that’s life! Full of love, pain, stress, happiness, setbacks, and accomplishments. If there’s one thing that I can ask you to take away from this year, it’s to think of and appreciate the things you have. The rest will come in time and with hard work, but if you don’t have the mindset that you have a lot now and will have more in the future, it will always seem like you don’t have enough.

As always, thank you so very much for being a part of ETM’s community! I encourage you to join discussions, interact with Mommas and others alike, and be unapologetically yourself! Until next time, I hope I’m able to help make your life as simple as could be. (:

With all my love, Brandolyn – Earth To Momma