Pay It Forward

I'm very good at noticing all of the positive things in life, but I rarely acknowledge them publicly. I tend to journal/blog/complain about everything going wrong in my life, and don't speak enough of the good things that keep me sane. So, in an effort to Oprah-fy my blog, I figured I'd share some of the stuff that I am so grateful for.

1. MY SIBLINGS
They are my whole life. I love them more than anyone has ever loved their siblings. I don't have children, but I equate the love I have for them to the love a parent has for a child. The thought of losing them completely paralyzes me. They are the only 3 people on this planet who have some sort of idea about who I really am. Everyone else just gets bits and pieces. They make me whole.

2. MY FAMILY
My siblings are technically included in this category, but they deserved their own recognition because they are so special to me. The rest of my family, including my parents, my aunts, my uncles, and my cousins, are the best in the world. They are not perfect. They don't have money, they aren't always the nicest, they are the first to call someone and tell them the "secret" that you just told them. But hands down, they always come through when I need something, and we stand together through the toughest of times.

3. MY FRIENDS
I don't use the term "friend" lightly. If you were once my friend, you are always my friend. Even if I hate you. I will do anything for my friends, even though I know that not all of them would do anything for me. They make me laugh, they make me cry, but they still make ME.

4. MY CAR
It may not be the nicest, but it gets me to and from the job that I need to make money to support myself. I am forever grateful for having a reliable vehicle.

5. VEGAN DIET
It changes your life. I know, because it changed mine. One of the best decisions I ever made. Even if I "fail" and slip up, I know this is a wagon that I want to always get back on.

6. EVE6
It may seem strange that I am including a band on this list, but their music is such a big part of my life. I have been to tons of shows, met them quite a few times, and they are always #1 on my ipod. I have met and become quite close to many other fans, and it doesn't cease to amaze me that our love for the same band has kept us a part of each others' lives for so long.

7. MY LAPTOP (A.K.A. LAPPY)
Yes, I named my laptop. No, I am not ashamed. Not only do I refer to him (yes, it is a male) as "Lappy," but so do my siblings and a few close friends. I bought him as a breakup present to myself in 2007 (a mani/pedi wouldn't suffice), and I have never regretted it. Every time I open Lappy up, I tell him how grateful I am that he still works so well. I've even forgiven him for not opening up my disc drive. I better move on before I sound even creepier.

8. MY BLACKBERRY
I should have just written "MY LIFE."

9. MY JOURNALS
I've always had the answer to the question "If your house was on fire, what would you grab?" My answer is always "My journals." I sincerely doubt my ability to grab and carry 20 or so journals out of my burning apartment, but I've kept one since I was 8 and would be heartbroken if even one page were to be lost.

10. MY JOB
Not only is it good that I have one in general, but the pay is great, and it's easy. I'm actually getting paid as I blog, because the boy that I take care of is sleeping. Now THAT's winning!

Of course, I'm grateful for many other things, but I figure 10 is a good starting point. ANY point is a better starting point than none!