I've been faced with some challenging circumstances lately which skew my thinking towards negativity. However, all of the sudden all of these blessings came to mind, and I wanted to share with you things I am grateful for, in no particular order:

• homemade puppy chow (AKA muddy buddies)
• talking with friends
• bonding with friends
• praying with friends
• a common faith and common goals
  
• learning
• growing
• quiet time
• down time
• sleep
  
• reading
• writing
• getting organized
  
• meeting friends' families
• a clean apartment
• scented candles
• the amazing generous, helpful spirit of my friends and family
• random conversations with strangers
  
• my education - high school and college
• my experiences and learning from them
• learning from others' experiences
  
• God's protection and provision over me
• being reminded to forgive, even when it's not asked for
• brunch
  
• trying new things
• my abilities and talents
• out of town friends from far far away suddenly here in my town for a few days
• a kitchen full of fresh fruit
  
• freedom
• beauty
• second (and third) chances
• new purses and necklaces
  
• a beautiful day
• the weekend
• new fun underwear
• pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin donuts
  
• the fact that I received a raise
• good conversations
• advice from friends
• knowing the difference between "advice" and "advise"
  
• all the last minutes details finally getting worked out
• relief and weight lifted off my shoulders
• vacationing in New England
• reminiscing about Europe
• looking forward to Texas
• spending time at Target
• singing
  
• laughter
• confidence
• knowledge
  
• moving on
• looking ahead
• the best is yet to come