Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Dearest readers,

Happy Thanksgiving! I can’t believe we are at the end of 2025!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays of the year. It’s a chance to tune your awareness to all the blessings in your life. No matter how rough things may be going right now, one of the greatest ways to combat depression, heartache, loneliness, resentment, and basically all negative emotions, is to make a GRATITUDE LIST. Research has shown that gratitude has a positive correlation to happiness– the more grateful you are, and the more you express gratitude, the happier you will be. In fact, I spoke to a recovering alcoholic and asked him what he does every time he is overcome with alcohol cravings. One of the things he does is make a gratitude list to distract himself from the craving, and that in conjunction with prayer, community support, and physical exercise, is what keeps him sober. This speaks to the power of expressing gratitude, which we should do every day, but especially today.

What am I grateful for in this moment?

1. Family and close friends. This goes without saying. I couldn’t have healed from bipolar or pursued my entrepreneurial penchants if I didn’t have the unwavering support of loved ones. A million thank you’s will never be enough to express how grateful I am to have been born into the family I was– my parents are not perfect, but they love me unconditionally, and they tried their very best with us kids. I like to think we turned out pretty good, as a result. I’m grateful for my best friend, Allan, who I nickname my “depression buddy”, because he’s the friend I turn to when I’m at my lowest. You know they’re a real one when they stick by you no matter what, even when you’re not particularly pleasant to be around. Love you, bestie!
2. Venture True Wellness community. I appreciate everyone who is reading this post. I am grateful for those who have joined my free community events– breathing and meditation class, expressive writing group, mental health peer support group. You guys are the reason why I do what I do. I sincerely hope I have helped you guys, in whatever small way I can. Thank you for joining me on this journey of health and wellness.
3. Dance and writing. My two biggest passions, my go-to creative outlets when I’m feeling down, perturbed, or depressed. Art and creativity are my God-given talents; they saved me at my lowest points, and I wouldn’t be here today without writing and dance as a vehicle for self-expression. Creative flow is where I’m happiest. I vow to use my gifts to do good in the world.
4. Yoga. This practice has changed my life. It completed the circle of my healing from bipolar. It has been a bridge to many beautiful connections and invaluable opportunities. It has opened the door to indelible experiences, mental peace, and untapped potential. I wouldn’t have made it this far in my career as a fitness and wellness instructor has it not been for yoga and all the blessings this practice has bestowed upon me.
5. My students. Pam S, Pam R, Sam, Mia, Jody, Harper, John, and more. I love training you guys. I help you guys get fit and healthy, and you guys grace me with life advice and human connection in return, Thank you for bringing such joy into my work– because of you guys, I love what I do.
6. The people who hurt me. This year was a trying one in terms of my social life and interpersonal relationships. In March, I ended a 3.5 year-long relationship with my ex-best friend. As I step into my power, I have had to leave behind toxic people who dimmed my light. And last night, I got my heart broken by a guy I have been in love with for the past few months. It was the most intense, emotionally-charged, turbulent, and intimate relationship I’ve ever had. Long story short, he met another girl he’s interested in. I can’t see myself moving forward with him in light of what happened. Even so, I am grateful for the positive experiences I shared with him, and though this relationship ended in heartbreak, I am grateful to him for showing me what love feels like. I now know the meaning of loving someone through hardships, being there for someone at their lowest, and the beauty of romantic love and deep-seated connection. I also realized that I am mentally stronger than I think, and though I could have got sucked into the chaos in his life, I remained level-headed and stuck by him when he was at his lowest. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to make him stay. But that’s totally a him-problem– if he can’t appreciate a good thing in his life, that’s sad. I did all I could for him, and I know whoever I meet next will be a lucky guy.
7. My podcast. I have filmed 5 episodes for The Well-Anchored Life, and the first episode went live a couple days ago. Already, I have touched lives by sharing the story of resilient human beings. This podcast has lent me the opportunity to share deep conversations with soldiers who have weathered life’s toughest storms, and emerged stronger and wiser. These are the unsung heroes, everyday people who grace us with their stories of resilience. I can’t wait to see where this podcast goes, and who I will meet through this platform. I am honored and privileged to connect with my guests on the podcast. Stay tuned for more weekly episodes coming every Tuesday!
8. My career. I chose the path of alignment and creative freedom, and I’m grateful I get to make money from pursuing my biggest passions. My job as a fitness instructor is my way out of depression– I feel my most confident and joyous when I teach. How grateful I am, to be able to exercise for my job. I’m grateful for the privilege I have to pursue a risky career path that yes, is not the most financially lucrative, but is deeply fulfilling. At least my heart is full, which is the greatest treasure of all.
9. God. Above all else, I am grateful to God, my Heavenly Father. He, my maker, is the reason I have been able to survive bipolar and all the challenges I’ve faced in my 27 years. All glory to Him.

There are many more things in my life I am eternally grateful for, but my comprehensive gratitude list would be the length of a novel. I’ll leave you guys with the following challenge: make a gratitude list and go deep with it. Really think about it, and meditate on how such blessings have changed your life for the better. Give your loved ones a hug and a kiss. Enjoy tonight’s festivities, enjoy great food over even greater company, and allow your gratitude to fill your life with joy.

Love you all. Happy Thanksgiving!