Hi y’all! During this time of year with Thanksgiving approaching, I always think about being thankful and grateful. In fact, I wrote a blog a few months ago about the “gratitude attitude”...btw, you should go read that one too!
I have been telling all of my classes to think of one thing they are thankful for in their lives. It made me think about the different stages in my life and how some things you appreciate like your loved ones and your health stay the same year after year, but others can change a whole lot with each decade.
When I was a little girl, I was so thankful for my grandparents, Memaine and Papa. I lived with them the first 7 1/2 years of my life for the most part and am still thankful for the role they played in making me who I am today. Your younger years create that foundation you build the rest of your life on and they sure made me feel safe and loved which is so important.
As a teenager I was thankful that my sweet mama always bought me the cutest clothes and she always took me to visit some great places which in turn made me a fashionista and helped develop my love for travel and good restaurants. Having a fun, pretty and cool mom is always a plus!
As a young adult I remember being grateful that my children were healthy and happy. They were my main focus for many years and are still at the top of my “Thankful list” today! (Along with my 5 grandchildren they have given me!)
But as I have aged, my perspective has changed. I now know not to take the beautiful moments in life for granted and those small moments are what I truly treasure. Through the years I had relationships that weren’t the best. They were like trying to put a square peg in a round hole! I lived through abuse, betrayal, controlling behaviors from others, heartbreak and more, but I am so thankful that I did not let it make me bitter or negative. I am truly blessed to have been able to stay positive and keep a smile on my face through it all. I am so relieved that I kept that happy heart open because now I have a wonderful healthy marriage that makes my life perfect! It took a while, but Prince Charming finally came knocking! The funny thing is that we met in elementary school, went to middle school and high school together graduating in the same class in 1982! Even went to the same College before he left for dental school. I obviously have gratitude for my Ricky and am so thankful for all of the support and love he gives me daily. I do wonder how we missed the love connection for so many years, but it makes me think that we had to walk our path to find our way back to each other with true appreciation and adoration. My point to this part of the story is don’t let life get you down or make you negative because there is a lot more to come and you want to be ready to accept it and be thankful when it finally does! I am also very thankful for my career and all of the wonderful people I have met along the way. I am so blessed to be able to help people transform into better versions of themselves...physically and mentally. Exercise has so many benefits and I am grateful to be able to continue to share it in my former studio which I just sold and globally with laurenfoxondemand.com! It is very rewarding and I am thankful for finding my true mission in life.
Now Ricky and I have created a nonprofit to fight childhood obesity called the Fox Fitness Project. Giving back will always make you happy and more thankful! I get to help keep people’s children healthy which I’m sure is at the top of their “thankful list”!
Bottom line, I’m saying is to just be thankful for what you have and you will end up having even more! As bad as life can seem at times, remember there is someone else dealing with worse. Just try to look for those silver linings, smile and know that the best is yet to come! Thank you for your continued support! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Lauren
Get Fit, Foxy and Fabulous, at Home or Away,
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