This year, as the calendar quietly turned and I found myself marking another birthday, I didn’t crave a loud celebration or a crowd. What I wanted—what my spirit gently nudged me toward—was stillness. Not the kind of stillness that feels like absence, but the kind that feels full. Full of breath, full of memory, full of meaning. I wanted to pause—not just to reflect on what has passed, but to be radically present for what is. Because life, I’ve come to realize, is never just about milestones—it’s about the invisible threads of love, loss, longing, and laughter that weave our days together. And so I turned inward, and found myself arriving at one thing: gratitude. Not performative, not obligatory, but sacred. Quiet. Lived-in.

Grateful for My Existence

1. The miracle of being alive. I’m learning to love every breath, every scar, every sunrise.
2. The presence of my brother and mama. They are my ikigai—my reason for being.
3. My health and that of my loved ones. Because in a world like this, health is nothing short of treasure.
4. My partner, Jan. A quiet strength beside me, especially when I couldn’t carry myself.

Grateful for Love and Support

5. For having been loved deeply, and for those who reminded me I was worth it.
6. For the friends who made me feel seen, safe, and celebrated.
7. For memories shared with people who are no longer here, but left love behind.
8. For the people who hurt me—because they taught me how to protect my peace.

Grateful for the Hard Stuff, Too

9. The monsters I’ve conquered. My scars are proof I survived.
10. The things I cannot change. They’ve taught me surrender and softened my pride.
11. My quiet, stubborn faith. Even when it’s just the size of a mustard seed—it’s carried me through.
12. The redirections. Every no that led to a better yes.
13. The mundane routines. Dishes, laundry, bills… all proof I have a home, clothes, and food.

Grateful for the Good in the World

14. For every small act of kindness—door held open, stranger helping stranger.
15. For the joy of reminiscing. I keep a memory journal because I want to remember how far I’ve come.
16. For the smell of rain, the softness of spring, and the legs that carry me on quiet walks.
17. For time spent in nature, where the soul finds its stillness.
18. For every struggle that led to spiritual growth.

Grateful for My Calling

19. For my job—as a nurse, I witness life in its most raw and sacred moments.
20. For the little joys that add up to a life well lived.
21. For every person I’ve connected with by sharing my vulnerability. Healing flows both ways.

Grateful for Being Human

22. For the realization that my only true purpose is simply to be.
23. For the gift of education and the people who believed in me enough to fund it.
24. For clean water, warm food, and shelter—basic, but never to be taken for granted.
25. For both heart-led and logic-led decisions. They shape who I am becoming.
26. For the wisdom age slowly unwraps.

Grateful for the Earth and Its Echoes

27. For my eyesight—to witness both sorrow and beauty in this world.
28. For the ocean—vast, healing, and humbling.
29. For the inspiration found even in hospital rooms and night shifts.

Grateful for the Becoming

30. For the unlimited dreams I still dare to chase.
31. For learning contentment and purpose in simply being who I am.
32. For finding inner peace—by focusing only on what I can control.
33. For every moment I’ve healed. For knowing that joy begins and ends with gratitude.

To those reading this—thank you for journeying with me.

I hope my words remind you of the things that quietly keep you afloat.
Now, allow me to share a few photos from my birthday on 7/7/23—a gentle reminder that celebration doesn’t always need confetti. Sometimes, it just needs presence, grace, and a thankful heart.

With love and light,
Anj 💛