Thank You.

“I want. I want. I want.”

Words my daughter says to me whenever we’re in a store.

I’ve developed the habit of reminding her, “We are here for these items only. We are not buying toys or treats.”

Does it stop the constant requests? Not always. But this morning, as I sat journaling and reflecting, I realized how often those same words echo from my own lips.

I want. I want. I want.

Only now, it’s the adult version of toys and treats. I want to feel happy. I want to feel fulfilled. I want my mortgage paid off. I want this. I want that.

It’s the same longing, just dressed differently.

This morning, almost as if I were about to enter a store, or in this case a new day, I heard my inner mother say, “You have enough at home. You do not need more.”

The Subtle Pull of “More”

I practice gratitude daily. Each morning, I write a list of things I’m grateful for—my daughter, my partner, my family, the sunrise, even a simple cup of coffee. I practice mindfulness and keep daily reminders in my calendar to pause and breathe, to return to the present moment.

Yet even with these practices, I still find myself swept into the current of wanting, or lingering in a place of lack.

As the year comes to a close and I begin planning for the next, I’m reflecting on how I can rewrite this narrative. I’ve noticed that the feeling of lack appears most often when I overschedule myself or set unrealistic expectations. Instead of simply setting a goal, I push to see how fast I can achieve it.

I let the things that fill my soul and soothe my spirit fall to the wayside. When I chase what’s missing, I only flame the fires of scarcity until they burn brighter.

Rewriting the Narrative

Rewriting the story begins with nurturing my soul.

If you’ve followed along with my writing, you may notice a pattern. I often get caught in the busyness of life and the self-imposed expectations I place upon myself. When I’m distracted by the “should haves,” I stop prioritizing what nourishes me. I stop resting, and I become restless.

Nourishment isn’t just food for the body it’s food for the spirit.

For me, that nourishment looks like writing and creating, slowing down, reading, baking, walking, taking a sauna or a long hot bath, not working every night, leaving buffer time between appointments, driving slowly, and listening to a good podcast.

When I linger in nourishment, I linger in gratitude. So this morning, I will remember who I truly am at my core, a reflection of God (the universe, or whatever resonates with you), a reflection of love, abundance, and gratitude. As I catch myself slipping into a place of lack, wanting to feel more fulfilled, wanting my day to look different, or wanting to be a more patient mother, I will return to my natural state.

Shifting from “I Want” to “Thank You”

As I come back to my natural state, I realize that gratitude and abundance already exist within me. It’s simply about remembering. From this place of remembering, I shift from “I want” to “thank you.”

• Thank you for the opportunity to take more steps toward living mortgage-free.

• Thank you for the privilege to save for my retirement.

• Thank you for the privilege to cross a trip off my bucket list.

• Thank you for the opportunity to move my body.

• Thank you for the opportunity to surprise Sloane with a trip to Disney. Thank you for the chance to be a “yes mom.” It fills my heart with joy.

• Thank you for the privilege to work in an industry that allows me to serve my clients and community while being present for Sloane. It fills my heart and spirit with purpose and adventure.

• Thank you for the opportunity to be patient.

• Thank you for the privilege to wake up each morning, and for the chance to fill my mornings with the things that nourish my spirit.

Reflection Prompts

1. When do you notice yourself slipping into “I want” mode, and what might that be revealing about what your soul is truly craving?

2. What practices or moments help you return to your natural state of gratitude and presence?

3. How can you create more space in your days for nourishment — the kind that feeds your spirit, not just your schedule?