Motivational Monday: 35 Expressions of Gratitude

Besides the fact that I’m alive to celebrate another year, I truly am grateful for all that I have and continue to be blessed. I’m not one to shy away from my age (and even if I tried, my son would correct anyone that asks lol). The older I get, the more grateful I am for life. So in today’s Motivational Monday, I bring you 35 expressions of gratitude. Cheers to year number 35!

1. My faith. While I am definitely still a work in progress, I am grateful for my faith because that is what moves me. It’s what gets me going, even when I feel I can’t.

2. My parents. Even though I didn’t understand it in my younger years, I’m so grateful my parents instilled the importance of faith in me.

3. My husband. Seriously, I don’t know how I got so blessed. But I thank God He blessed me with this amazing man who cheers me on, and never stands in the way of anything that gets me closer to my dreams.

4. My healthy children. After spending three days last week at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, I am more grateful now than ever before, for the great health that my children have.

5. My siblings (and their children). There is absolutely nothing like family. I don’t care what differences we’ve ever had, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Growing up, seven of us was a lot. But now, I see it as perfect.

6. My sisters (from other mothers). I have the best sister friends ever, and I’ll always be grateful for the love and friendship.

7. My extended family. My in-laws are seriously the best. I’m super lucky not to deal with the drama that many people do.

8. My health. I’ve seen so many people suffer with their health over the years. I’m grateful even for the smallest of colds, because they don’t last forever.

9. My life. I may not have everything I want. But I absolutely have everything I need. There is nothing that I would trade in this moment of time.

10. My home. We have built some amazing memories here. It keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer heat. Shelter is something I don’t take for granted.

11. My laptop. It’s what allows me to do the work that I do. It’s where certain magic happens.

12. My caramel lattes. From Panera. With extra caramel. They are so good and they make me happy. Those and the pumpkin muffins.

13. My car. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t get where I needed to, when I needed to.

14. My new roller skates. They allowed me to reminisce on a time in childhood that I loved, and can now share with my kids.

15. My muscle soreness. From the rollerskating and reminiscing that has been going on. I’m only slightly rusty. But the soreness reminds me that I am blessed with the physical ability to skate, walk, run, jump, dance and more.

16. My bed. No matter how many hotels I visit, there is nothing like being home in my own bed.

Blessed gratitude quote - Moms N Charge17. My blog. That would be this space from which you are reading now. It has afforded me some ah-mazing opportunities, and continues to do so.

18. My community. I may never know the names or faces of those who visit this space, but I am truly grateful…from Istanbul, Turkey, to Kenya, to Guatemala and London…I see you, and I thank you.

19. My laugh. It reminds me of how great life is. Laughter keeps me youthful.

20. Clean water. For drinking, for bathing, for taking a shower…I’m grateful for every form of it.

21. Technology. It’s how I meet amazing people from all over the country and all over the world. It’s how I stay connected to people I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

22. My local Silver Diner. Because have you tried their caramel french toast with chicken sausage? #thatisall

23. Golden Oreos. These were a direct blessing from God. I feel it every time I eat one.

24. My coaches & mentors. They have pushed me out of my comfort zone on several occasions. And while I may have given the side-eye once or twice, I’m truly grateful for the growth that has occurred.

25. My iPhone. Honestly, it keeps me organized and entertained at the same time.

26. Money in the bank. Money to pay bills, money to treat myself, money to provide for the family’s needs.

27. My mistakes. In life and in business because there is always an opportunity to learn.

28. My successes. They have brought me more opportunities, and more great people to connect with. They have demonstrated that anything truly is possible.

29. My ability to read. I’m nowhere near my goal of one book a month yet, but I’m getting there. And I’m grateful that I can because there’s a wealth of information out there through books and articles online.

30. My tears. I used to hate them because they would fall at the drop of a dime. I used to see it as a sign of weakness and now I see them as a sign of strength.

31. My vision. It’s not 20/20 but it’s good enough to see the beauty that is in this world.

32. My food. And the refrigerator that holds it all. I am so grateful that I can eat when I’m hungry.

33. My clothes. They make me feel good and look good.

34. My culture. It opened my eyes to what’s different and beautiful early on. It shaped me into the person I am today.

35. Love. It allows me to see past the hurt. It allows me to keep going, keep pushing.

I could really go on and on. But I’ll stop here. I thank God for life and for another candle to blow out this year. 35 is a good place to be, and I’m grateful to be here.

Comment below and let me know what you’re grateful for today? How will you (or did you) spend your birthday this year?

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10 Comments

  • Chanel | Cultural Xplorer
    April 20, 2015 at 2:07 AM

    I absolutely love this. During my last birthday, I turned 28 (and I happened to be in Germany at the time). One thing I was grateful for (and still am to this day), is the ability to travel and learn so much from so many individuals, and to have the opportunity to experience so many wonderful things. 😀
    Chanel | Cultural Xplorer would like you to check out…Exploring Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish MarketMy Profile

    • Christine St.Vil
      April 21, 2015 at 10:48 AM

      Thanks so much Chanel! That is awesome that you got to celebrate your birthday in Germany! Traveling more is definitely on my list of plans 🙂

  • Carin Kilby Clark
    April 20, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    I love this! I’m so grateful for my family, friends, and the opportunity to help so many wonderful people through my writing. Cheers to another year! 🙂
    Carin Kilby Clark would like you to check out…Maintaining Friendships Made Easy For Busy MomsMy Profile

  • T. Espinoza
    April 20, 2015 at 4:16 PM

    I can’t deal with you. I giggled a little at #15 but then you hit me with #23 and I almost choked on my Powerade LOL. Anywho, I really like the idea of reminding yourself of your blessings on your birthday. I will definitely have to work that into my b-day plans. As for what I’m grateful for today… You my dear. Happy birthday.
    T. Espinoza would like you to check out…Chic Lit: Sisterhood & Success with Miss Jessie’s {Giveaway}My Profile

    • Christine St.Vil
      April 21, 2015 at 10:41 AM

      LMBO I’m just keeping it real. And hubby hasn’t even read this post but he surely showed up with Golden Oreo birthday cake edition for me yesterday haha

  • Laila (@FrontRowMama)
    April 21, 2015 at 12:54 AM

    I love this post! It’s so easy to get caught up in what is going wrong or what we don’t like. It takes just as much energy to focus on the positive.
    Laila (@FrontRowMama) would like you to check out…Simple Solutions for Single MomsMy Profile

    • Christine St.Vil
      April 21, 2015 at 11:43 AM

      Thanks so much Laila! You are sooooo right about it taking the same amount of energy to focus on the positive 🙂

  • Vashti (veepeejay.com)
    April 26, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    I absolutely LOVE this post. I’m just grateful for everything, but especially my health, my super supportive hubby and awesome blog friends like you 😉 Happy belated Christine.
    Vashti (veepeejay.com) would like you to check out…5 Things To Do In GrenadaMy Profile

  • Moms 'N Charge My Birthday Wish: Help me Save Lives with Runway Moms For a Cause - Moms 'N Charge
    April 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM

    […] year for my birthday, I wrote 35 Expressions of Gratitude. And like most moms, I am grateful for my children every day. Most often times, we take for granted […]

  • Markeeta Jones
    October 14, 2017 at 11:20 PM

    I am grateful for my two girls of course…but I am also grateful for all the struggles that I’ve been experiencing, especially over the last three years. I don’t like going through these things but I’m convinced and i pray that all of it will lead me to better things and a better situation. I learn a lot from them…it’s going to make me a stronger more confident person, mother, partner and businesswoman.

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