thank you thursday

so i'm starting something new to give thanks to all of the people, items, companies, foods, that have helped me and will continue to help me on my journey. thursdays will now be titled thank you thursday so that i can spend a moment, sometimes two, sharing my appreciation for all things great, inspiring and uplifting (including people).

today we will start with my ultimate inspiration. when i decided to do thank you thursdays, i thought to myself, hmm, i think i'll do something general for the first week and then start with the deep stuff after that. but no. i changed my mind. i'm going to give it to you, whole-heartedly, so that you can see how truly blessed i am.

“Inspiring people are vitamins for our spirits. They come in all kinds of disguises and descriptions. If you open your heart to being inspired, they will appear.” 

honestly, if i wrote this quote i'd probably replace [vitamins] with [supplements] but that's just me (hardy har har). ok down to the serious stuff. the most, yes MOST inspiring person in my life is my brother, anthony daniel albert. hands down, i would not be who i am, where i am, or headed in the direction i am going today without his support. but it's not the kind of support where you constantly have a cheerleader "come on jenna, you can do it". it's not the kind of support where someone is speaking big, powerful, inspiring words to you "you're so amazing, you can achieve great things". it's true, genuine, brotherly love. it's a "fool, you can lift more than that." or a "fool, you should try eating less carbs." or a "fool, let's go do a mud run together." maybe even a "fool, you look skinnier every time i see you." how about even a "fool, you can live here if you want."

my brother is amazing. he grew up a lone soldier in an army of women. he is strong. he is one of THE smartest people i have ever met. he became an amazing teacher. he is handsome. he is a bodybuilder. he used to be fat. he played football. he has a bachelor's degree in mathematics. he owns his own home at the age of 26. he drives his dream truck. he inspires me.

i would have never ever signed up for the Valley's Biggest Loser competition if it weren't for him, pushing me. he shows his love in ways that only a brother would. without telling me he loves me, without giving me hugs, but just by being there. by sharing his wisdom. his energy, his drive, his encouragement, his self-motivation push me each and every day of my life. he is always there for me. no matter what day of the week, month, year, he would drop anything to help me. he woke up at 6am to drop me off for my 6 mile runs. he moved his office to his dining room so i had a place to stay. he shares his fridge, his cabinets, his driveway with me. he goes to starbucks with me and chats for hours. he goes to barnes and noble with me and reads books and magazines for hours. he goes to winco with me to grocery shop. hell, he appreciates the classic protein bar/energy drink combo. he makes me a better person.

i am lucky. the luckiest little sister in the world. which is why today i'm saying thank you, ant, for being my big brother, my best friend, my confidant, my coach, but mostly, my inspiration.