100 reasons to stay grateful
A reminder to pause long enough to notice (letter 290)
Hello fellow learn-it-all 👋
Greetings from outside of Detroit, Michigan!
It’s been quite a whirlwind of a holiday homecoming this past week to reflect and reconnect.
As well as…
my first thanksgiving in five years in Michigan.
my first time back on American soil in 13 months.
my first time surprising my parents with my presence.
my first time walking in the Grosse Pointe doodle parade.
my first time running a 5k in less than 29 minutes and 54 seconds.
Anywho, like in the past two years, I am celebrating thanksgiving with the list of 100 things I am grateful for. Thinking about this topic more straight on is something I always enjoy and invites me to go beyond the surface and dive deeper into what a gift this life is.
Now, let’s dive into letter 290 from a learn-it-all. Enjoy!
❓Question to think about
What are 100 things I am grateful for?
🖊️Writing
I asked ChatGPT to categorize my handwritten gratitudes into buckets of themes that I thought could be interesting, but I also enjoy the randomness of this list. So for a brief preview of this list the themes are: vitality, relationships, expression, delight in the everyday, learning, exploration and technology.
my body’s ability to do 18 minutes of zone 5 cardio
stretching my limbs
water
friends who encourage me + keep me going when times are tough
running shoes
double socks
gloves
contacts that enable me to see
events in groups like the Turkey Trot that feed community & feel in unison
nourishing my body after a workout
holiday traditions that feel like a group habit
heated seats in cars
eye contact in conversation
hugs to feel connected
internet connection
ovens to heat food
foamy milk mom froths with her new Ninja
open questions
high fives
the satisfaction of progress
napping to rest
fruit salad + natural sugars
freshly steeped tea in the morning
the suspense while waiting for a barista to make the drink
when friends call me out of the blue
allergy meds that allow me to be around cats
photos that become unifying nostalgic artifacts
fresh air that fills my lungs with oxygen
silence
affection
sugary Dutch Baby breakfast treats
doggy cuddle puddles
thoughts that fill me with inspiration
people who model life’s possibilities that feel big and larger than my life
giddiness + deep belly laughs
talking in goofy ways
co-regulation of my nervous system
the upshift of caffeine hitting both my brain + body
cozy corduroy pants
feeling of french braising from blind muscle memory
language + all the ways I can express
colors that allow me to feel alive
feeling understood
feeling safe
feeling cozy
feeling wonder of the world looking up at stars + the night sky
floating on water
witnessing wind fill a boat’s sails
a big beautiful earth to explore
trees to hug to ground myself
all the ways I can connect with people
friends who reach out to connect
money that energizes my opportunities
lotion that moisturizes my body
how presents + pictures remind me of people
my brain stem + beating blood pressure +lungs + heart keeping me alive
doctors who treat me even if I’m afraid of needles
my prefrontal cortex that helps me make decisions
hot steamy showers
how competition pulls me to be better than before
books that capture fascinating thoughts of people I never meet
the teachers who make learning fun
Kru Tiwa for teaching me Thai massage
shared experiences with people I love and the strangers whp’ve just become friends
the multitasking of a matching band
how sports bring humans together
hot beverage wrapped between my fingers on a cold day
watching snowflakes float + fall
crispy pierogis
cheese on bread, crackers, eggs, noodles or plain
how language creates understanding
how touch creates bonding
the inventions that help save time + make life easier like toasters and AI
communications like email + WA + phone calls
how emojis make messages more playful
how I can put sticker on a letter in a envelope + send it to someone
delightful liquids in cute containers
forgiveness
communal song enjoyment at concerts
hope for progress
scalp massage with shampoo in shower
Amazon KDP where I can upload a pdf as a book for sale that can then be bought, printed, and shipped on behalf of a writer
friends who are cheerleaders + help me get past doubts
that we can evolve
soft sheets + fluffy pillows + good sleep
planes that transport me cross oceans
different cultures that show different ways to live
crying then laughing while reading a book, watching a movie or listening to music
technology that enables a brighter future for humanity (when used health consciously)
the courage of leaders to move needles on divergent/disagreeable topics
capturing history that allows us to learn from past
memoirs that prove how 1 story can shape your attitude + drive + direction in life
how meditation, writing in a journal, and conversing with people can allow for a practice of reflection
siblings that understand how you were raised more than anyone else
chocolate fondue + strawberries
creating playlists that make me wiggle + jiggle
the ups + downs + flavors across the seasons of life
the ability to vote with my wallet
investments in stock market building a brighter future for me than my 24 hours in the day could ever allow
people to love and feel loved by from their their curiosity, attention, and openness to connection in all different types of shape and form
🎧Listening
Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton
Now, don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you got ‘til it’s gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
🔍Word to define
Grateful: (adj) feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.
🌟Quote to inspire
“What if the day, what if time itself isn’t a scarce resource to seize but a gift to receive with grateful joy?”
– John Mark Comer from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry page 251 (my favorite book I read in 2023)
📸Photos of the Week
woven throughout this letter :-)
🙏Shoutouts
to my cousin Christa for helping me to make the surprises to my parents this past week. Couldn’t have done it without your orchestration :)
to people in my life. Thank you. I love you.
I am grateful you chose to fill part of your day here.
Here’s my list from 2023 and from 2024. And also if you enjoy this, you’d also enjoy when I wrote about the gift of time here.
If something in this letter resonated, press the ❤️ , leave a comment, reply to this email, or reach me at vermetJL@gmail.com. I love hearing from you.
Keep on learning 😁
Tot snel 🌺 🌺
Toodles :)
Jen
P.S. #1 - I coach writers. I guide them to find their voice, build a writing rhythm, and have fun hitting “publish.” Let’s chat.
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P.S. #3 - I wrote a book. Letters to My Life is my favorite way to share my writing with you (and it keeps your screen-time stats down). Grab your copy here.
P.S. #4 - Here’s what you missed. Last week I wrote On impermanence, pride and petsitting