Halloween is over, which means the holiday shopping season is upon us. But before we dive into the Ho, Ho, Ho of it all, we need to stop, take pause, and give thanks for all we have.

At least that’s what we’re told.

Do you really do that? Do I? In truth, we should give thanks every day of the year. Every living, breathing moment we get to spend on this earth, we should be thankful. But we’re not. Because, well, we’re human, and humans like to complain about bills and laundry and cranky people at the grocery store. 

But this week I want to really stop, if only for a brief moment, and give thanks for it all. I try to do this in my mind each night, before I close my eyes to rest away another day. But sometimes, my brain starts saying thanks, and gets interrupted by my to-do list, or my worry list or my complain list. 

You, too?

So today I take a moment to write it down, on paper, where I can’t forget all I’m thankful for. And then, in case the to-do list creeps in or I start complaining about laundry, I’ll have this list reminding me of all I have. 

Here’s my list of 10 things I’m thankful for this November and beyond. 

1. Razors. Can you imagine a life without razors? I shudder at the thought.
2. Coffee and wine. No explanation needed here, folks.
3. Bread, in particular croissants. All food in general, really, but especially bread. 
4. Jeans with a stretchy waist-band. They are incredibly comfortable and allow a bit of wiggle room for all that bread. And wine. 
5. You fine folks for reading this column each week and the freedom to write what’s on my mind. It’s an honor to share my random thoughts with complete strangers. Thanks for never egging my home or rolling your eyes at me. (Maybe you’ve done the eye rolling thing, but that means you’re reading, so that’s cool. Thanks for that.)
6. Student Loans. This is a stretch, folks. However, being nearly 34 and still having an abundance of school loans means that I was able to go to college in years past (thankful) and that now I spend my money on other things instead of paying off my college loans; which leads me to number 7.
7. We have enough to get by each month and still have a bit leftover. I know this is rare for so many people. And when I find myself wanting more to buy fun things or go on fancy vacations or pay off school loans, I remind myself to be thankful for what I have. And, to not buy so many frivolous items at Target so I can pay off the big bills. 
8. My health and two legs that have finally learned to wake up before dawn to take care of this body.
9. My family, friends and children who bring so much happiness to my life and that husband of mine who puts up with my daily crazy and loves me for all that I am, and all that I am not.
10. A God above for giving me more than I deserve.

There you have it, friends. Maybe you can make a list, too? Even a mental note will do. I think if you and I take a moment out of our busy lives to recognize all that’s in front of us, we’d make more of an effort to say, “Wow! This life we’ve been given is a gift.”

It is, you know, quite the gift. Better than anything we can unwrap under that Christmas tree that will soon be upon us.