Here’s a little cheese to go with yesterday’s whine.
I Am Thankful…
That I have found my place and my passion.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve never had much direction in life. I’ve taken things as they’ve come, lived nomadically, been somewhat detached and done things/made life decisions on the spur of the moment. But suddenly I have stability (I own a house!), a passion (weightlifting!) and a long-term goal (a figure competition!). It’s different, but it feels good.
That I have an amazing job that encourages me to pursue that passion.
As if my job didn’t rock enough already, my boss approved me to work remotely two Fridays a month so I can travel to ATL and train. (It helps that he’s an iron man/triathlete and takes time of his own for competitions and long runs. It doesn’t help that he often shows up in the office in teeny running shorts. Some things about your boss are better left a mystery.)
That I have amazing and supportive parents.
My dad had nothing negative to say when I broke the “I’m going to be a figure competitor” news–that’s his version of support. My mom? Immediately offered to buy a pile of (pretty expensive) supplements to help get me started. It’s not the money that matters, it’s that she leaped right in with me.
That I have an amazing and supportive best friend.
AJ puts life in perspective, gets me out of my head, calms me down, and shares my love of Vampire Diaries marathons, glitter and dorky board games. (And to prove that I’m an equally amazing friend–I was going post a horribly embarrassing picture of her tipsily holding toilet paper while standing in laundry baskets. But I didn’t.)
That I Internet “met” (and then actually met) Laura.
Laura convinced me that working towards a figure competition could happen. I never would have taken my first steps without her openness, information and encouragement. And I wouldn’t have met a fabulous friend who shares so many of my interests!
That I have Internet “met” all of you.
I can’t name everyone (Well I could, but does anyone want to read the whole list?), but everyone who has left supportive/encouraging/”you can do it” comments rocks. Seriously. These really do mean so much!
For so much more.
Okay, I promise it’s back to food and fitness tomorrow, I just had to take a moment and send a big thank you to…everything. Life just feels right. I’m loving the people in my life, enjoying my hobbies and pursuing my goals–And having a blast doing it all.
Share some cheese with me–What are you thankful for/what’s good in your life?
You are do cheesy but I love it! This was such a wonderful post to read, Allie and you are undoubtedly going to rock that competition…and that’s largely because you are busting your ass to meet your goals! You deserve all the success!
Thank you so much Khushboo!
Terrific post, Allie! You can whine anytime you like, but I enjoy this kind of cheese! I’m so proud of you for going for what you feel is right!! Knock ‘em Dead!!
Thanks Fran! And I’d much rather break out the cheese than the whine, gotta have some balance
I am SO HAPPY for you, so happy you are happy! Feeling and expressing gratitude is so very important, and is part of the journey of reaching your goals. I am grateful to know you and call you a friend – you are inspiring and make me smile every day!
Aww, YOUR comment makes me smile Kristina! I’m enjoying the journey as much as anything, helps me relax about the end goals–keeping them in site, but not just living for the future!
LOVE YOU GIRL!!!! Support is one thing that is totally irreplaceable and makes all the difference!! SO awesome that your parents support you.
Just know you can accomplish anything you set your mind too! I have only “known” you for a short period of time, but I think you’re amazing and wish the best for you <3
Love YOU positive lady! Thank you for your fabulous comment, gives me the warm and fuzzies
all these thankful posts are making me tear up, seriously! you have one kick ass boss and I am so happy you have found this passion!
Isn’t it great to both share AND read about other people’s positives? It’s a good reminder to focus on the good stuff!
So very true
So awesome that you are following your dream! It’s great to have such a fantastic support system!
What a happy, cheerful post. How special that you have such a strong support group to fuel your passions
that’s some serious blessings right there! remember those daily. I love that you said life is different, but good. I know that feeling. Thankful!
It’s so easy to get stuck in who you think you are/the best way for you to live–before was good, and now is even better! It’s been more than worth changing what I define as my “comfort zone.” And thanks Lindsay–I do need to think about all the good on a daily basis!
I am so happy for you that you are in such an amazing place and so happy! It is so nice to hear people share the things that they are thankful for instead of complaining all the time! You have so many great things to come and I am excited to follow! Your house is super cute btw!!! LOVE it!
I would have to say that I am most thankful for such an amazing boyfriend. Sounds corny, but being so far away from my family and friends, it is nice to have someone who supports you and can be there for you, even when you’re crazy! 
I know we all have to get our complaints out–but I definitely like to balance it with the good stuff! And nothing wrong with appreciating a good boyfriend–that definitely IS a special find/worth being thankful for.
I so love, love, love this post!!! It made me so happy just reading the things you’re thankful for. Clearly you already know it but you are one lucky girl! I am so happy to hear that things are going so well for you. I know between your determination and your support system, you’re going to do amazing when your competition rolls around! I can’t wait to read along as you progress. As for the boss in running shorts… I got nothin. there are some things your eyes just can’t un-see haha!
This post is awesome! You’ve got so many great things going on in your life
A lovely post Allie, and one we should all do every so often… just to put things into perspective
Aww that’s such a sweet post. It’s amazing that you have some stability in your life (something I’m lacking at the moment) and that you have a strong support system. I’m so excited reading about your upcoming figure competition ^^
You’re such an awesome person for giving thanks. So many people plow ahead without stopping to reflect. That’s very adult of you. Careful, it might start to grow on you.
Love this post! Made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I’m thankful for my husband – he’s so supportive and loving.
You ARE lucky. And to recognize and give thanks for it all is wonderful. Your parents are too cute. My mom would have shaken her head if I announced that, maybe that’s the reason I don’t tell her much
Actually she’s gotten a lot better as the years have passed.
Oh my lanta we ARE on the same page today!!! I’m still convinced we’re secretly the same human…maybe we have some kind of creepy limb that stretches across the states to connect us…okay no that’s just creepy hahahaha
Loved reading this, it made me so happy!!!
That’s awesome that your job is so flexible!!
You have so much to be thankful for!! 
I LOVE THIS. I think it’s really important to take a few moments and ackowledge when your life is super awesome.
Allie, I am SO JAZZED that you’ve found direction, goals, and passion. I’ve spent so many years wondering and wandering and floundering and people romanticize “figuring it out” but, man, it was effing scary sometimes. Like you, I finally feel like I know where I’m heading and it feels amazing. I sleep so well these days.
Right now, I’m thankful that you’re sharing your journey with us! It’s been awesome to see someone going after something so ambitious – and doing it veg style! You’re so inspirational.
Isn’t it the best to have all this good? I am so thankful to have met you! AND how exciting you get to come down here every other Friday!!! I always work from home on Fridays too. Woot!
I want to meet this boss-man one day. Preferably in his shorts. LOL!
I am thankful that you are a new, but important, addition to my friends through blogging world.
This is such a sweet post. I have met so many amazing people through the blogging world. I would have to say that my blog is what I’m most thankful for right now. It gives me a creative outlet, a place where I can be myself, and everyone is so nice!
I’m also thankful for my family and friends, but those are just givens
How awesome that you can work remote and train in Atlanta several times a month – things are coming together for you! =)
What a beautiful post. You truly do have so many things to be grateful for. I love the fact that your family is so supportive. What would we do without them??
Ah I wish I could “real life” meet you! You’re such an inspirational person and this a really lovely post. It’s so nice to reflect on all of the positives in your life
I’m so glad that you have supportive parents, I’m thankful for exactly the same thing. I think what you’re doing is amazing! Hope you’re having a great weekend 
ahhh that’s awesome you have so many supportive people in your life! I think that is hugely important when you have some big goals like you do!
Good Luck with your weight lifting goals!!
You are one step ahead of a lot of people since you know what you want in life!
You really are blessed
having great friends and family is the ultimate but having a job you love, a place and a passion as well means you’ve got just about all you need, I reckon x
LOVED this! I seriously have the biggest smile on my face right now! I’m SO happy for you sweetie! Life means so much more once we feel like we have that “place” and “purpose”! But I’ll admit…I’m a little jealous of your parents. Mine don’t even TRY to understand my life/diet/preferences.
But to end on a good note…some things I’m thankful for…that I have a good job and a secure financial situation. It sounds boring, but seriously, without those, I never would have been able to just fly by the seat of my pants to St. Louis this past weekend OR be planning on making a trip to ATL next month!
A secure job IS so important–makes fun things possible! And I think my parents (well, dad) has given up more than anything, haha. They’re ready to roll with whatever weird announcement I’m going to make next.