In the spirit of Thanksgiving I wanted share with you just one of the many things I am grateful for this year. I am thankful for losing my job.

Several months ago I was part of a corporate layoff. It happens. And, as my Dad and I discussed on the phone as I drove out of my office parking lot in shock, it’s like going through a divorce. It has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to go through. And, I am grateful.

I’ve spent the last few months doing a lot of soul searching. I started this blog and have been blessed with building new relationships while sharing and learning more about my passion for healthy-living. I’ve taken a photography course, a nutrition course, and participated in countless social media seminars. And, in the process I’ve found what I believe is my calling.

You might think a calling is kind of a concept reserved for nuns and priests and other members of the clergy, but I don’t. I believe my calling is to help people live healthier lives. I would love to find a career that combines my expertise in marketing with my passion for healthy-living, but if I can’t, I’ll still find a way to share a little bit of what I know about fitness and nutrition with others in my spare time.

While I continue to look for my new position, I’m going to see how I can help fitlosophy, the company behind my favorite fitness journal, fitbook. This is a small, up-and-coming company, and I’m pretty energized about finding creative ways to see that something I love so much gets in the hands of more people.

A while ago, I wrote all about my fitbook where I keep my goals, my workouts, and my nutrition on track. Since then, fitlosophy launched the fitbook junior. Junior, as I like to call him or her, is a 12-week interactive fitness and food journal for kids that teaches the importance of goal-setting, engaging in daily physical activities and making nutritious food choices, while balancing their tasks at school and home. Did I mention it has stickers? Adorable!

If you have been reading Fitness & Spice for awhile, you know I have a soft spot for companies that give back. This company is no exception. When the founder of fitlosophy, Angela Manzanares, recently visited an orphanage in Mexico she was astounded by the lack of nutritious meals for the children and decided to take action. So, until November 30th if you purchase a fitbook or a fitbook junior, save $1 per fitbook and an additional $1 will be donated to the Estado 29 orphanage to feed the children this holiday season. To take advantage of this offer, go to www.getfitbook.com and use promo code givethanks at checkout.

And, speaking of giving thanks, I think I’ll be doing more of that from now on. I’m giving thanks for the things in my life and the things that aren’t…I’ve learned a lot from both.

Now I really must go to the park, I think I hear Junior calling!