Coming off the back of a challenging year, it's sometimes difficult to find reasons to be grateful.

But when we look (eyes-wide-open) at the world around us, it's only too easy to see how lucky we truly are.

For me it's always been the simple things that matter. Yet sadly they're often the things we take for granted. But they are remarkable and deserve our appreciation.

So during the lead up to Christmas I acknowledge all the sparkling things I am truly grateful for in 2016:

• Good times with good friends
• Family
• Life in a peaceful country
• The BEST party I've been to in years (complete with fabulous friends, the BEST cocktail waiters in town, a Full-Monty show and numerous fully-clothed swims in a backyard pool)
• Honest and intellectual conversations, sans-gossip
• New-found & long-established friendships 
• New life, created and delivered by dear friends (and my ability to rock the precious angel to sleep)
• Loyalty
• Social invitations and outings
• The time to read
• Ongoing inspiration to write
• Amazing work opportunities
• Coffee from my much loved coffee machine (thanks Mum for the supply of Nespresso pods)
• Rude awakenings (and the strength I found to cope with the new reality they delivered - coffee helped with that too)
• Good health
• Rainforest walks
• Breakfasts at my favourite cafe
• Trees (my gosh they are AMAZING)
• Op Shops
• Heartfelt gifts from friends
• Support from those who genuinely care and accept me as I am
• Creativity
• Cloud formations in blue Brisbane skies
• Laughter
• The ability to stand tall among the critics
• Black Humour (it takes a special kind of person)
• Freedom of choice
• Daily showers 
• Fresh food to eat
• Thunder Storms
• Nature
• Wine, cheese and pasta
• Life lessons
• Beaches
• Television (I'm not even talking Foxtel etc - just plain ole telly)
• Kindness of strangers
• Empathy & compassion
• The tenacity to stand up for what I value and believe (despite other's opinions)
• Daily hen-laid eggs
• Our darling neighbours who let us splash in their pool
• Personal mail 
• A new green beach towel
• Swims in the ocean
• School holidays
• Solitude 
• + so much more

For all the shifting challenges I endured in 2016, my year sparkled with wondrous moments to cherish forever.

May you find yours and may you offer support to those who struggle to find theirs.

Christmas for many is a challenging time, for a variety of reasons, so it is with a heart full of love, that to those I say "you are loved" - "you matter". Keep fighting the fight. Keep creating your path to happiness. Keep things in perspective and write down all the things that make you truly grateful to be living this life.

To support those in need this Christmas there are many Charities to choose from, including these below:

• The Smith Family
• Salvation Army Christmas Appeal
• Givit
• Uniting Care Christmas Appeal
• Unicef

There are so many more, so do your research and choose a cause that resonates with you.

And for those who need a caring and supportive listening ear this Christmas, these life-saving and irreplaceable services are also available – and for them we are truly grateful:

• Lifeline Crisis Support
• Beyond Blue
• Kids Helpline

Merry Christmas one and all! May we find ways to love and support each other more and end the horrors of human and world destruction!