This week I am grateful for…
56. The Ocean
57. Summer Weather
58. Epic Adventure
59. Delicious Food
60. Dessert Delights
61. A fun Coincidence
62. The Rainforest
63. History
64. Safety
65. Birds
It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted a gratitude update—life took me on a 10-day adventure in beautiful Puerto Rico! To catch up, I’ll be sharing 10 gratitude moments in this post and the next, bringing me back on track toward 260 moments for the year. Here’s what I’m especially grateful for this week:
#56: The Ocean
If you’d asked me three weeks ago whether I’m a beach person, I would’ve said, “Not really.” But now? It’s complicated—but yes! I fell head over heels for the crystal-clear turquoise waters and soft white sand beaches of Puerto Rico. Our Airbnb was right by the ocean, and when I close my eyes, I can still hear the soothing sound of the waves. It was magic.
#57: Summer Weather
Escaping New England’s chilly, rainy spring for Puerto Rico’s sunny warmth felt like a dream. Most days were in the 70s and 80s, with the occasional dramatic downpour that only lasted 20–45 minutes before the sun came shining back. It was refreshing in every sense of the word.
#58: Epic Adventure
One day, my partner and I joined a rainforest tour that turned out to be more adventurous than we’d anticipated—and I loved every second. We hiked deep into the forest, slid down a natural water slide, did a bit of rock climbing, cliff-jumped into cool waters, and swung on a rope tied to a tree like we were kids again. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m so glad it did.
#59: Delicious Food
Puerto Rico is a food lover’s paradise. From savory mofongo to the most flavorful Puerto Rican rice and bean, I couldn’t get enough. I even tried a piña colada at the restaurant that claims to have invented it—and as someone who rarely drinks, I have to say, it was worth it.
#60: Dessert
Oh, the desserts! Traditional Puerto Rican flan, rich chocolate cake with creamy ice cream… It felt like a week-long celebration of sweetness. I may have come back with 3 extra pounds but Zero regrets.
#61: A Fun Coincidence
While enjoying dessert at a little restaurant near our Airbnb, we randomly chose a fancy-looking table. Midway through our cake, we noticed a sign above us that read: “On June 14, 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama had lunch at this table.” What a fun and surreal surprise—we were literally eating cake where a president once sat!
#62: The Rainforest
El Yunque National Forest stole a piece of my heart. We visited twice and could’ve gone again. Cooler than the rest of the island, it was a welcome break from the heat and humidity. From the top of one of its towers, we had a stunning view of palm trees, endless shades of green, a distant city, and even the ocean. Nature at its most majestic.
#63: History
Old San Juan was a vibrant mix of history, culture, and color. I learned so much about the island’s rich past—Indigenous peoples, Spanish colonization, early American influence. Every cobblestone seemed to tell a story.
#64: Safety
I never take safety for granted. The fact that we flew, explored, drove around a new place, and returned home without incident is something I deeply appreciate. It’s a gift that’s easy to overlook.
#65: Birds
I spotted so many bird species I’d never seen before—each one with its own unique song and splash of color. Listening to them in the early morning or while walking through the rainforest added a quiet joy to the trip.
Weekly Spotlight
This week, I’m shining the spotlight on one of my all-time favorite songs—“Lovely Day” by the late, great Bill Withers. Few songs lift the spirit the way this one does. Withers’ smooth voice, soulful energy, and timeless message are the perfect recipe for instant good vibes.
Here are some of the lyrics that always bring a smile to my face:
“Lovely Day”
Written by Bill Withers and Skip Scarborough
When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind
Then I look at you
And the world’s alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it’s gonna be…
A lovely day
Chorus:
Lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day
Lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely dayA lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day
Lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day
When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way
Then I look at you
And the world’s alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it’s gonna be…
A lovely day
What brought you joy this week? Feel free to leave a comment below.