NAUTI THOUGHTS: Give Thanks

H A P P Y  W E L L N E S S  W E D N E S D A Y

This week is special because tomorrow is Thanksgiving. This is one of my favorite holidays simply because all you are asked to do is surround yourself with friends, family, and food and give thanks for the things around you.

It is so easy in this day and age to get wrapped up in everything that we don't have. This is particularly enhanced during the Christmas season. From the time we were kids the holiday season has always been about receiving and not giving. We make mile long lists asking for the things we think we need when in reality if take a step back, everything you NEED is right in front of you.

Think about your lowest low and your highest high. What are the first things to come to mind? Say your highest high was getting accepted into your dream college. Or your lowest low was when a relative passed. Is what you remember the new Free People sweater you were wearing? Or who you were surrounded by and how they impacted your life in that exact moment? 

This holiday season I challenge all of you to give thanks for what you have and not worry about the things you don't. There are so many people less fortunate people that when you think about how rich you are to be surrounded by friends and family, it really puts life in perspective. Here are some ways to give thanks daily to help remind you how amazing your life is, just the way it is.

DONATE.

It doesn't matter if it is your time or material items, but this holiday season donate. This is an amazing way to give thanks because it is so rewarding to help other people who do not have as much as you. Go to your local soup kitchen or donate old jackets from your hall closet that no one uses anymore. You will be surprised how thankful you will be for your possessions once you see how little others have. 

WRITE.

This is something I started to do a couple weeks back and it is truly life changing. Each night before I go to bed, I write down one thing from that day that I am thankful happened. It doesn't have to be something huge but whenever I am feeling sad, I go back at that list and look at all the reasons I have to smile, and it instantly makes me more thankful for what I have in that moment. 

COMMUNICATE. 

Nothing feels better than receiving an unexpected text from someone expressing how thankful they are to have you in their lives. This week, I challenge all of you to send three texts to people that you don't talk to on an every day basis and let them know how much they mean to you and how thankful you are to have them in your life. 

It can be hard to be thankful every second of everyday. But if you take the time, you will see you have more to be thankful for than not. 

L I V E  N A U T I

♡

Ashlyn