Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. If you are reading this I am grateful you are seeing my words. I value all the support given to me, especially today. It is an amazing day, one to reflect and appreciate. I am at a unique point in my life. Flooded with self evaluation, joy, change, some sadness, but blessings too bountiful to count. As I did once in a Daily article I will be listing my gratitudes in parentheses at the end of each paragraph. (Judy, Phil, Erin, Taylor, and all of our fur-babies).

The holidays are often a bit of a dichotomy. Both fulfilling, empowering, and satisfying. Yet, often evolve into lonely, alienating, forlorn, bitching about lumpy mashed potatoes, pettiness, and exhaustion. Uggh, even that negative sentence tired me out. Make today awesome, everyone. Be awesome. (Isak Heartstone and the people he represents, us, Breckenridge)

3 Things I am reminding myself

1. Be Grateful. Whatever you have, it is likely more than most of the world. If you choose to focus on what is wrong in your life, or something missing, emptiness will follow. Focus on what you have, and fulfillment is possible. If I start listing my gratitudes we will be here awhile. (The Mother, Nature)

2. Live life with intention. My intention for today is singular: Joy. Doing all the happiness enhancing things I preach to classes, I am doing. (See “schedule” below). I want, crave, and need joy. I have more in my life than I can remember, even while in deep pain. So much amazing. Today is about more joy, because who doesn’t want more joy? (Joy and Alexis becoming amazing mothers this semester)

3. Be present. Today I understand the value of using technology to connect us to loved ones. It is amazing to have that ability. Balance your technology connection time, yet be present with where you are. Put your devices down and all enjoy the moments, oh so precious moments. (Local businesses)

BONUS MATT ADKINS PIECE OF ADVICE! 
All things in moderation, especially moderation. If indulging in anything, alcohol, weed-infused-stuffing, whatever. Know what you are getting into. I always love a little activity on Thanksgiving before stuffing my face relentlessly. Don’t be an idiot. (I am grateful for everyone who makes wise decisions today, whatever they may be for the day)

I am accustomed to having everyone of our misfit friends who know there is usually deep-friend turkey, a hot tub, and roughly 1.3 desserts per guest. All of us, a Breck family, apart from our biological ones, but safely at home with our mountain family. We smelly, tardy, intoxicated, lost, beautiful, supportive, 100 days on the hill, at home, Breck Family. I am at home in kitchen with everyone laughing, indulging, and dancing, crying, me getting to be Mother Drew, one of my favorite roles. (Tourists being here supporting our local businesses)

This year my life is different, as am I. Not feeling up to hosting a huge gathering, I am looking to experience a different Brecksgiving this year. Get out, be active, enjoy the perfection of this imperfect village. (20 Days of actual quality skiing before Thanksgiving)

My plan for Thanksgiving 2018 involves a wide array of natural, side effect free, proven methods to improve happiness. Oh and they are awesome. I am an incredibly happy and blessed person, today I am going to embrace, engage, and share positivity. (Everything about CMC, students, family, freedom).

I am going to focus on my favorite activities from my Positive Psychology class (My FJ Cruiser).

• Kindness
• Gratitude
• Human connection(and puppy connection)
• Physical activity
• Mindfulness
• Creativity

6:00. Woke up (unintentionally) early, laid in bed in a pile of dogs. Decide the sunrise is peaceful and beautiful, it must be photographed. Took dogs hiking and for a photo shoot. (Tacos)

8:00. Talk with favorite people and enjoy breakfast with 4 dogs (and writing this), listening to a Raging playlist, looking at Breck’s beauty. (Yoga, particularly Meta Yoga)

10:30. Meta Yoga Murray’s Gratitude yoga class. If you know Murray, you get it. (Mentors and people to admire)

Noon-whenever. Give out free hugs on Main Street AND homemade carrot cake cupcakes, come visit me by town Christmas tree, near Relish. Ski? Dogs? My mom says I give the best hugs, and one of my hugs was once sold in a silent auction for $31 in a silent auction to a stranger…  (The value of human contact)

5:00-730ish. Building Hope Community dinner and clean up. (Moguls, life and snow)

8ish. Floater free-agent for the evening! Hot tub, dogs, bed. Wherever the Breck winds take. (My cookie monster Melanzana)

The more I lean into our amazing community, the more it supports me. Breckenridge, thank you for always being here for me. It is hard to think of myself in a hard place right now when 25, literally 25, people invited me to some sort of celebration today. (Chocolate and peanut butter based treats)

I am so grateful for my family (Bio and Breckie), the community, the spirit of Breck. I am grateful for it all… We are the best (except at being places on time, bathing regularly, and having cars worth more than our bikes), but the best. I am so honored to call this my home. While this is a change for me not hosting, I don’t feel lost, isolated, and lonely, but rather comforted, supported and home. (A possible franchise saving QB????)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. We are all so fortunate. Mom, Dad, E and T, Love you all, and our half dozen fur babies. They say you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends. I choose exactly what I have been blessed with… everyday. (The pain and hurt in my life, as it providing growth, strength, and identity)

I am grateful everyday, and learning to be more (life). 

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