On my birthday, this is my gift to you: 30 grateful thoughts in the form of a poem. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it (that’s my birthday wish).

“The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.” — Robert Holden

Take this poem as an opportunity to befriend your life again, and ponder how incredibly outrageous it is that you're alive.

You are here. Wow. Think about that. Feel that.

30 Grateful Thoughts

Every morning I opened my eyes. (1)

This chance to look at the sky

As if it’s cradling my dreams. (2)

Another opportunity to breathe in air

Like it was the easiest thing to do. (3)

The gift of thinking about you. (4)

Having something to do

Because it matters to me. (5)

Walking the earth and

Feeling my feet beneath me. (6)

Carrying moments of back then (7) and

Hopes for the future, (8) and

Remembering to surrender to this moment

Because I’ve found something beautiful. (9)

Calling someone my friend. (10)

Being a friend to myself. (11)

The ability to still smile. (12)

For the most part, good health. (13)

A wealthy mindset,

Whenever I choose to choose it, (14) and

Using it to find

The light in my heart (15) and

Feel the sun on my skin. (16)

The tears that mean I’m alive. (17)

The tears that mean you lived. (18)

Brightly colored fruits (19)

And birthday cake. (20)

Learning to forgive all of my mistakes. (21)

Learning that I’m not too old for learning. (22)

Yearning for something and

Watching it come true (23)

Because I’m learning to believe in

My higher self—

I’m thankful for her too. (24)

A crystal on my shelf

Because I feel a connection to the earth,

To the sky, to what’s outside and in my heart. (25)

For how I’ve grown in the dark. (26)

For every rebirth. (27)

For the love I have given. (28)

For the love I have received. (29)

To know what it means to say

“Thank you, I love you”

And mean it. (30)

. . .

Tell me:

What are you really, really grateful for today?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I'd love to know!

With love,

Jen

P.S. Want more poetry... that you can hold in your hands (or hang up on the wall)? Go visit my shop for prints of handwritten poems and other words of hope and heart. So grateful for you today.