It’s Thanksgiving week, so obviously it seems fitting to dedicate a blog to the things in my life I am thankful for. It’s been a tough year full of loss, but also wonderful moments in the year as well. I earned my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt after almost 10 years of continuous daily training and competition in the sport. My husband and I finally found the time to go on our Honeymoon after a long-awaited year and a half of marriage. Both my niece on my side of the family and my husband’s first granddaughter on his side of the family turned 1 just a few short months ago. I witnessed both of our sides of the family reach new milestones in life. Our small gym doubled in size, had its ribbon cutting ceremony, and has really grown over this past year. I kept some great friends, made some new ones, and learned how to open up my heart more and let people in. I realized I trained at a gym that both pushed everyone and challenged everyone to make those newly earned belts hold high esteem rather than being doled out too easily, and that all the people who train there really do become like family. I lost my beloved family dogs at the beginning of the year, but a few short weeks ago, was fortunate to adopt the absolute sweetest and smartest puppy I have ever known. She has brought so much joy to my life, and I am so grateful for her love.
Every day, I get to wake up being married to the strongest, handsomest, kindest, most loving, and best man that I know. He helps get me through the hard times, the tragic times, and the times marred by loss and grief. He helps me to realize that anger is a fleeting emotion, struggles are temporary, no pain is forever, and that there are always greater things in life to work toward and that there is always a new day ahead. I’ve also been extremely fortunate in having my two brothers, the other thirds of our triplet set, and know I can always count on them if I need them or even just to have someone to talk to. I am not only grateful for my family, but for my husband’s as well, who have always shown be nothing but kindness and love throughout our almost 7 years together.
I think all of the difficult times this year has made me really appreciate all the good things in my life. I went from sadness and lamenting over the haggard ways I thought I looked as I aged, to simply being grateful that I have the opportunity to grow old in life as more and more people I know have their own lives cut short. I went from being heartbroken by the betrayals of people in my life to instead, appreciating the tried and true devoted friends that have always been by my side. I love that I can recognize that other people’s issues with me are none of my business, that it usually stems from a place of misery and resentment, and that my happy marriage and super sweet pup are a truly enviable existence in life. Most fairytale love stories are only fictional, but I was lucky enough to experience this in real life and that makes every Thanksgiving truly the best. I have said all my life how happy I was to be independent, but now that I have found that perfect person, I am truly the happiest I have ever been and it doesn’t even come close. My best friend, my partner, my lover, my other half, my soulmate.
I am thankful for all the mistakes I have made in life as well, for it taught me valuable lessons, no matter how hard or difficult those have been. I was devastated over the state of my knees, but I am truly thankful it is a physical issue and not a health issue impacting my longevity and quality of life. I am not riddled with an incurable disease, I’m just in pain in one part of my body. I’m thankful for things like stem cells, ice, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and good quality knee braces. And when I am finally old enough to receive that knee replacement, I will be exceptionally thankful at how far medicine has come. I am thankful to still have so much family near to us, and to have everyone over this holiday and see all of our loved ones. I am thankful that I love being in the kitchen and taking time to prepare a delicious meal. I am not thankful that I only have one oven and a small kitchen, but I am thankful that I am so organized and create a spreadsheet every year to prepare. And I kid, because I am very thankful to have a roof over my head and food on my table.
It’s no secret that the majority of my love revolves around fighting, Jiu Jitsu, and my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, Schell Shock BJJ. I could not be more grateful to train at a gym that holds all of its members to a standard and keeps its name in high esteem. We just had belt promotions over the weekend, and everyone who received one truly earned it. They put in the time and effort and all of the hard work. Heck, even with me coming pretty much every day, usually multiple times a day, making the podium at every single major IBJJF event, winning MMA titles, and fighting professionally, it still took me just around 10 years to reach that goal. These belts are given with honor and certainty, and not just the person who shows up 2-3 times a week for a handful of years. I have so much faith in all of our competitors being able to hang with their peers at every tournament they enter. I am thankful and grateful to our lineage and affiliation, and all of the people I get to train with. Most of all, I am thankful to the integrity my professor (and husband) possesses, that he works hard, never cuts corners, treats everyone the same, sacrifices his time to be there for all, and thankful I get to learn from him every day.
It was a runaway train, every passenger’s nightmare. Brakes failed and a sharp turn just a mile ahead. And a woman screamed out–that set off the panic. People opening windows, shoving and crying, except one couple. Sitting across from each other, the gentleman in a black suit winked at the woman in red heels. He slowly smiled and stood, reaching his hand out to her, and whispered in her ear, “Vamos a BaLeR [bailar].” The passengers sat back down as the train hurled towards the steep turn. People were laughing now and clapping in time as the talented couple whirled up and down the aisle. The old train came off the wheels around that corner, but settled back on the tracks, to the cheers of all that continued on its way. Baby, my beautiful Mahogany, the train is already going too fast to stop. Let’s just dance.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Great work!
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect site.
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal. I must say you have done a superb job with this. Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Opera. Exceptional Blog!
Along with the whole thing which seems to be building within this particular area, a significant percentage of viewpoints tend to be relatively radical. Even so, I am sorry, but I do not subscribe to your whole suggestion, all be it exhilarating none the less. It seems to me that your comments are not entirely rationalized and in simple fact you are generally your self not really completely confident of your point. In any event I did enjoy examining it.
I went over this website and I conceive you have a lot of fantastic information, saved to my bookmarks (:.
Great write-up, I¦m regular visitor of one¦s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for posting.
naturally like your website however you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to inform the truth nevertheless I will definitely come again again.
You made some first rate factors there. I seemed on the internet for the difficulty and located most people will associate with together with your website.
Great post, you have pointed out some good details , I likewise believe this s a very superb website.
Really fantastic info can be found on web site. “The American temptation is to believe that foreign policy is a subdivision of psychiatry.” by Robert Francis Kennedy.
There are definitely a number of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a great level to carry up. I offer the ideas above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you convey up the place the most important factor shall be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round things like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each girls and boys really feel the influence of only a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
Woh I love your content, saved to fav! .
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, as well as the content!
Definitely, what a magnificent site and enlightening posts, I definitely will bookmark your website.Have an awsome day!
hello!,I really like your writing very so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence more approximately your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this space to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look ahead to peer you.
I truly enjoy looking at on this website , it has got great blog posts. “When a man’s willing and eager, the gods join in.” by Aeschylus.
Excellent site. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to a few pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you for your sweat!
You have remarked very interesting points! ps decent internet site.
Sweet site, super layout, real clean and apply pleasant.
I have been examinating out a few of your articles and i can state clever stuff. I will definitely bookmark your website.
Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
I got what you mean ,saved to bookmarks, very nice internet site.
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful info particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.
A lot of thanks for your whole hard work on this web site. My daughter takes pleasure in making time for internet research and it’s simple to grasp why. A lot of people know all relating to the lively method you offer both useful and interesting suggestions via the blog and therefore strongly encourage response from some other people on this idea plus our daughter is in fact studying so much. Take advantage of the rest of the year. You are conducting a glorious job.
F*ckin¦ awesome issues here. I am very happy to look your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
There is obviously a bunch to know about this. I suppose you made some nice points in features also.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
I am continuously browsing online for posts that can assist me. Thx!
I’m impressed, I must say. Really not often do I encounter a weblog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you may have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is one thing that not sufficient people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very pleased that I stumbled across this in my search for something referring to this.
wonderful post.Never knew this, thankyou for letting me know.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Some genuinely fantastic info , Gladiola I observed this. “The minute one utters a certainty, the opposite comes to mind.” by May Sarton.
Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
obviously like your web-site however you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality however I will definitely come again again.