This week across America families gathered around the table and express gratitude. I love this time, right before the holidays really ramp up. It’s almost as if we take a minute to get our heart right and in a good place before dealing with long lines and traffic.

Taking my thankfulness down to a nuclear level, I’ve been intentionally tracking my health wins over the last few weeks. If only this included “for the nutritionally perfectly balanced day” and “glided through an easy eight mile run.” That never happened.  I found, though, when I kept my eyes open for moments to be grateful, they came to me in interesting ways.

I’m thankful:

• For the beautiful sunrise that greeted me as I turned the corner on a run I didn’t want to take.

• To stop and thank a local sheriff for his service during Harvey. Had the run been better, or the time mattered, I would have been too self-absorbed to do this. Instead, I welcomed a two-minute break.
• For the conversations and long miles with a new running friend.  What’s said on the run stays on the run (like Vegas, but with less headaches the next day.)

• To easily walk up three flights of stairs in an elevator-free, Harvey-impacted building.
• That I can still fit into my jeans despite crappy eating. (Never mind the pants are too big to begin with.)
• That two of my dear friends share the joy of friendship, coffee, and walking with me. We took a birthday walk to a neighborhood coffee shop to fill our bodies with caffeine and soul with authentic conversations.

• That I can have a place to share my flawed health journey in the hopes it encourages others to embrace their imperfections as well.
• That I could sprint upstairs at 3:18pm to grab clothes I promised to my son’s school by 3:20pm.
• For experiencing firsthand the quantifiable relationship between food and performance.  Huh, limiting sugar and increasing quality food really does make an impact. How about that.

• That I could enter race week without injury or significant pain anywhere. (Training for a vibrant life actually worked!)
• That not only was 13.1 miles victorious, but I was able to loop back around and run in my partner-in-crime for the last mile and a half.

Lastly, I’m grateful for YOU – those who journey with me and don’t judge my many flaws. Thank you for reading and subscribing (if you haven’t yet, you can here).  Thank you for letting me have a place to write my crazy. Writing is cathartic and it’s own kind of therapy.  And if I didn’t do it this way, I might end up with the aforementioned Vegas-inspired headache.

What are YOU thankful for today in your health? Have you experienced anything recently that made you grateful?

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. – ‭Psalm‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ NIV

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