thankful – The April Diaries

Picture this: it is 2005, and Sheryl Crow just came on the radio. It’s her famous “Soak Up The Sun.” We all liked it because we were a) probably conditioned to like it by society or b) we actually found it catchy. I actually fell under group b.

A stanza that we weren’t cognizant of, as second graders was the following:

I don’t have digital
I don’t have diddly squat
It’s not having what you want
It’s wanting what you’ve got.

You’re probably thinking, what do the last two lines mean? So I’m challenging you to think again: when was the last time you were truly grateful for something that you had, that you have always wanted?

For example, I dreamt of a closet full of stunning clothes, living in the city, and the man I have. I have all of the above now, as a 26-year-old. Golly, am I grateful, thankful, and blessed. 💖

I am already abundant 100%, and it doesn’t matter how much I have in my bank account (which, to Sheryl Crow’s lyrics is “diddly squat”). What I don’t want is to constantly be chasing the bone every day by focusing on “want, want, want.” No one ever got by in life that way.

It’s the same thing with success. If you feel successful, you are going to be successful.

That isn’t to say that you should take everything you have for granted. I make sure that I tell my boyfriend that he’s appreciated and that I’m grateful for him. Once upon a time, I craved a man like him. Now, I have him and I’m so lucky and, once again, grateful, thankful, blessed — no need for hashtags.

If you’re writing in your manifestation journal, “manically manifesting,” you’re literally chasing the bone like a dog would. No, I am NOT calling you a bitch, relax. 😂

For example, I manifested living in the city. Though I may not geographically be exactly where I wish to be right now, right now I am grateful that I live near so many stores, restaurants, and especially that grocery store with a Starbucks in it. I remember how much I wanted to be an author. Now, I have three poetry books and one of them is being turned into a movie. I remember in the beginning of the year how much I wanted clients, now I have 4 and I get to launch my first Delicious Life Experience Group Coaching program in January 2023! I remember how much I wanted to speak to people about what I do; I get to speak to aspiring authors in 2023 and I’m speaking on wellness with a new friend this month — twice.

Abundance does not come from a plethora of Starbucks coffee. According to Billie Eilish: “I got everything I wanted,” and life is only going to get better.

So, I challenge you to write down, in your little “catalogue” of yours, what are you grateful for? It’s almost 2023, so you’ll be surprised at how much you’ve accomplished and happened for the greater good.

xoxo,

April 💕

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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! While you guys are watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and snacking on cheese, crackers, fruits, etc. before the “big meal,” I thought I’d provide some insight as to what I’m thankful for, based on recent events that occurred.

Tuesday, November 22nd was my last day of classes (for me) before our break. Yes, I’m technically supposed to be “on holiday,” but there’s still writing involved in my everyday life #writerproblems.

After a heinous October, November has been nothing but good to me. November I’m dubbing as the month of finding myself, moving forward, kicking ass, and taking names. So let me just start from square one:

This past month, I thought a lot about traveling and doing the things I was scared to do. So, I took the initiative and emailed my study abroad adviser at my college and scheduled an appointment. Still thinking in a “sociology mindset” (I’ll get to my… guess what… NEW MAJOR in a minute), I was thinking of interning in Spain in some sort of human rights program for 4-8 weeks in the summer. Then, in Spring 2018, I would study abroad. But now that I’m now a… take a guess of what major I’m in now…

ENGLISH (!!!) Even the chairperson in the English department said, “I don’t know what took you so long!” My mom thought it’d be the right fit for me, and my best friend/roommate Katelyn (who is also an English major) was excited for me ☺ One of the deans at my school always knew I was quite the writer, so she was surprised that I went with sociology (and all of my other majors before that). It’s all about finding yourself, and in all honesty, if I want to resume my dream of becoming an attorney, I think English is the better way to go. I’m still keeping my double major in Spanish and my Gender Studies minor.

Moreover, I thought that I would do a journalism internship before going abroad for a whole semester. My mom and I were talking in a small Italian restaurant in my hometown when she said that I could go into journalism in order to pay for law school (not a bad idea).

Speaking of journalism, I (finally) followed my Spanish Writing Workshop professor’s advice, and I am now a culture writer for the Saint Anselm College Crier! My professor made a point in saying that although I have a blog, my voice should still be heard publicly. Here’s a link to my first article, if you haven’t read it already.

So, the things I am thankful for are having a voice, my friends and family for supporting me in everything I do and pretty much everything else, being a woman receiving an education, my professors for always believing in me (especially my Spanish Writing professor and my new adviser for English/Gender Studies), the ability to do what I love on campus like tutoring and writing for the Crier, and all of the opportunities I have at my school.

Just one more thing before I wrap it up: on my last day of classes, I walked down to the basement of the library to get a coffee (because God knows that I’m addicted to that machine) and I notice a worker kindling with it and cleaning it. He notices I want a coffee and immediately pulls out $2. I insisted that he didn’t have to pay, but he insisted on making and buying a pumpkin spice latte anyway. There was no way I couldn’t introduce myself and talk to this gentleman, so I immediately pulled out my hand to shake his. I can’t believe I don’t remember his name, as I am so good with names. We had a brief conversation about where we lived in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. That one man proved that a little kindness goes a long way. I hope you all get to give a little kindness to your community this Thanksgiving holiday, and during the holidays. In the words of Rachel Scott: