Feeling Grateful

This newsletter is a little late but for a good reason. It was my birthday week and I’m filled with gratitude.

First Birthday Party

Last Sunday, I had my first ever birthday party. It felt special because it marked stepping into my 30s and choosing to actually celebrate it.

I’m incredibly grateful for the friends and family who showed up and made the day so special. But none of it would’ve been possible without my sister and brother-in-law. They helped turn this day from a dream into reality and I don’t take that for granted.

The Past Decade

I’m grateful for the decade I’m leaving behind. It was full of everything I love: football (soccer), travel and adventure.

When I look back, I feel like I embraced it. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone again and again. I tried new sports, traveled to new countries, started this newsletter, signed up for my first marathon and began posting videos on social media. Each step, scary or exciting, helped me become a better version of myself.

Moving more than 11,000 miles away from home wasn’t easy but it brought me closer to my family and opened doors I never imagined and for that, I’m deeply grateful.

Looking Forward

Gratitude is something I want to practice more intentionally. Life can be tough and it’s easy to get stuck zooming in on what’s going wrong but when we zoom out, our worries often shrink.

When we focus on what’s going well, even the small things, something shifts. We remember that no one has a perfect life. We all have highs and lows yet some of the happiest people aren’t the ones with the most, but the ones who are content with what they have.

That’s what I want to return to whenever things feel heavy. To pause, count my blessings and remind myself of the good already present in my life.