21+ Things I’m Thankful for in 2021

“I am thankful that thorns have roses.” — Alphonse Karr

Every year during Thanksgiving month, I make one of these lists (yes, for me it’s a month, not just a day, so there ;D)

There’s not much else I need to say by way of an intro, except that the (loose) rules I set for myself include:

1. Items are listed in no particular order
2. I try not to repeat things from previous years’ lists
3. And these are things that I really feel particularly thankful for, not just a throwaway list like “I’m thankful I don’t have bronchitis, blah, blah, blah”

Okay, let’s go!

21+ Things I’m Thankful for in 2021…

1. PUPPY!!!
   Our newest furry addition to the family is a delight, and unusually well-behaved, aside from a few early morning bathroom calls 😉
2. One official year at a new job with lovely coworkers
   A group of kind, quirky, great-to-work-with people + interesting work tasks makes for the perfect fit. Plus I’ve been extraordinarily blessed to have really good managers/bosses, I know that isn’t always the case, so I’m thankful it is in my situation.
3. New (lighter) computer with pen-drawing capabilities
   This makes designing logos and such so much easier! SO much easier. Now I have a good reason to spend a little more time working on my (very poor) drawing skills in the coming year 😉
4. Monthly.com
   This learning platform is awesome. I love the concept of producing 2–3 projects in 30 days, with peer feedback, and having the ability to watch a pro’s entire creative process. I’ve already taken quite a few music production courses on it this past year, and plan to do more 🙂 Here’s a video of my thoughts on my first Monthly class, if you’re interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2gif3ywtls
5. Online learning capabilities in general
   Libraries, blogs, youtube channels, learning platforms — everything you ever want to learn is now open to everyone. It’s easier than ever, and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s a good problem to have!
6. Ebook sites and libraries, in multiple languages
   3 languages, in particular, for me, but glad there are other languages too. These sites are great for learning! And I never knew that my own online library had books in multiple languages, including one slightly-rarer one that I’m trying to learn slowly.
7. Setting up a music-making space in the corner of the house
   …with access to piano, kind of like a mini studio. It’s been several years of me lugging various pieces of equipment around the house whenever I wanted to make a track, and now it’s much more convenient.
8. Spark Club members!
   And everyone who is a supporter of Be a Brilliant Writer and what I do here 😉
9. One particular loyal friend
   …who has seen me through the worst and is still here (and knows who she is)
10. Passive income platforms, skills, abilities
    Modern technology brings with it many complications, but also blessings, like the ability (for many of us) to work from home due to health crises and global you-know-whats
11. People who have gone before me
    …In terms of learning languages, starting businesses, doing and thinking about things I’m interested in — people I can learn from through books and youtube videos, etc. Thank God for trailblazers who show us the way and let us know we’re not alone.
12. Funny people who cheer others up
    (people I know personally, as well as public figures who make it their life’s goal to make others smile) Some Youtubers come to mind (musical comedians in particular: Twoset, Igudesman & Joo, etc), as well as several gifted children’s writers.
13. Phone app, coaching, new email platform
    Access to these tools/resources motivates more content creation and creativity in general, and makes all these things possible/easier aka opens up more vistas.
14. Visits and playing board games with family
    Rummikub is great for brain stimulation. Next step: puzzles! But on a more serious note, it seriously is nice to be close to family. I even wrote about it once.
15. A big backyard with growing things
    For the puppy to run around in ~ and so there are fresh and organic fruits and veggies to eat
16. New BSF prayer group
    Sometimes, it’s good to know someone out there is praying for you, and to have someone to pray for so you can’t get too self-centered 😉
17. Mentor
    Having never had the chance to really get to know/live near either of my grandfathers, it’s nice to have a grandfather figure in my life to talk to now and then.
18. The ability to write and make music
    Having creative writing/musical ideas, and the resources to explore and bring those ideas to life is a blessing.
19. Living through summer wedding season
    Thank God this year’s events went smoothly, without a hitch. It could’ve been bad, considering everything that was going on. Also, the dog behaved like a little angel ❤
20. Living in and being a part of the US of A
    For all that this world is imperfect and no one has it great all the time, it is good to be here in America. Thankful for this country and the good people in it.
21. People who stand by the truth with humor and courage
    In trying times, it can be easy to get discouraged and fearful, to take the easy way out, to believe in convenient falsehoods. But there are those who refuse to do that, and serve as models and examples for the rest of us. In my own life, my mom usually stands in this role, but there are many others out there.
22. Archive of past creations/writings
    Sometimes it’s fun to go back and re-experience the stuff past-me created. Music, stories, etc. Most of it needs improvement, but sometimes I surprise myself 🙂
23. Silver linings
    Although it’s been a rough year+ for some and a rough many years for others, I can also see how much good has come as a direct consequence of what most people would say are not-good things, in my personal life and on a larger scale.
24. Family’s continued health
    …Including my parents and 90+ year old grandfather living on the other side of the world who has survived cancer, among other health issues, and is still going strong.
25. Communication tech
    Grateful for technology that allows video chatting with grandfather mentioned above, even when we can’t meet in person.
26. Little gifts, bonuses, and awards
    Like recently winning a credit to take another online learning course in exchange for a testimonial I made for them 😉
27. Betta fish + water snail
    Because I don’t think I mentioned them before? (If I did, oh well), and it’s nice to have a pretty betta fish to brighten up the room, and a snail to help keep the water clean.
28. Motivation to learn
    Unless you’ve experienced anhedonia, you may not realize how big a thing this is, but it’s really a blessing to have motivation to learn and create things and experience happiness
29. A dozen years of making lists like this
    A dozen is a nice, round number. One of my favorites! Glad that after 12 rounds there are always still things to be thankful for.

That’s it for me, for now. What’s on your list? 🙂

Spread light ~