Sunlight streams through my window this morning and before long it will warm to 50 degrees outside, a brilliant contrast to yesterday's gray skies and snow flurries in the afternoon. Life is like that, isn't it... a mixture of happy times and hard times; and no matter what we are going through, the sunlight will return. I've been posting a daily gratitude post on my other blog, and here's an additional ten blessings from this week in my relatively humdrum life...
1. I am thankful for the example set by some of our blog/TToT friends who have been experiencing some extremely challenging situations, and yet continue to share with us, find humor in life, and remind us that if they can keep going and moving forward, so can we. The sense of community, standing stronger together, is one of the things I've always loved about blogging.
2. I'm thankful for Lizzi sharing her wonderful work adventure in Kenya with us this week via her Facebook posts. The photographs and narrative have been a strong reality check for all of us, and I loved that she tuned in to the resilience of the people there. I just know her sparkly goodness generated hundreds of smiles, and the work she was involved in is making a difference!
3. I am thankful for my son's wonderful girlfriend, and how much joy and contentment she's added to his life. One of a parent's biggest fears is who their children will choose as a partner, and he's taken his time to find just the right match. It's her birthday today, and she was so appreciative of the small gift we sent. She's an Aquarian like myself... I've never met one I didn't like!
4. I am thankful for the close relationship I share with my daughter. There was a time long ago when she was a teenager that I wasn't sure if I would kill her or she would kill me! We have grown so close as she's gotten older, and in many ways she is frighteningly like me (poor kid). I am the first one she calls if something good, or something bad, happens in her life; we talk or text almost daily. I didn't have that kind of relationship with my mother, so I am extremely grateful that I do with my daughter. I am glad she knows that I am here for her and will always support her, along with her right to make her own decisions and learn from her own mistakes just like we all did!
5. I am thankful for all the handyman skills my husband possesses. He has saved us thousands of dollars over the eight years we've been together by being able to trouble shoot and repair things without the need to call for high dollar repairmen. He's also used those skills to help out friends and neighbors. I find myself wondering if today's children, boys and girls, are being taught how to maintain and repair things; I suppose they will likely just look it up on YouTube. :-)
6. I am thankful for our colds finally being completely gone. Such a small problem, such a big nuisance! Now I feel like getting active and taking care of some of the projects on my to-do list!
7. I am thankful that the political hate and anger posts fading out on Facebook. As much as we have valid reasons to be upset and concerned, hate that degrades and separates never resolves anything. If we stoop to the name-calling level of those we detest, how much better are we than them? If you believe strongly about something, find positive ways to take action and effect change!
8. I am thankful that I am having some success in learning to de-escalate personal anxiety issues in situations over which I have no control. Fear is a crippling thing, my mind knows this, but sometimes I still let it take control of me. I am learning to use faith to combat fear, to breathe my way through it, and it focus on what I can do at the moment, rather than being consumed by fear over situations which nine times out of ten prove to be exaggerated or non-existent.
9. I am thankful beyond words for the safe return of a little special needs puppy in Missouri that slipped out the door and got lost one evening this week. It turns out that she wandered to a nearby neighbor who took her in for the night and found her family the next day. This is the fourth time in recent years, that I have spent much of a night in tears and prayers, along with others, on behalf of one of God's furkids, praying for their safe return home, and it has happened. I know that it doesn't always work out that way, but each animal/family reunited is testimony to answered prayers, and a reason to rejoice!
10. I am thankful for my own four furkids that remind me daily that the most basic need we all share is to be loved and cared for. I think it is a rather sad thing that human beings can't purr when we are content, but we have an even greater way to communicate our appreciation... and that is to say thank you. I thank each one of you who takes the time to stop by my blogs and leave comments and encouraging words, it means more to me than you will ever know.
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Ten Things of Thankful is the brainchild of Lizzi at Considerings. It's been up and running for a long time now, and it's a wonderful way to refocus on the good things that happen in our lives each week despite whatever problems we are facing. There is always something to be thankful for... always!
This week we are linking our posts up at the TToT Group
on Facebook, and at Clark's blog TheWakefield Doctrine
Holy Moses... We seem to have lots in common this week. Im so glad your son's gf is someone who supports and loves him. And amazing isnt it when relationships like yours and your daughter's are so special when they start out hard and you had no healthy examples to base it on.pretty cool...and can I borrow John some time... My house could use a little work.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, I think we're both pretty thankful for people doing a little better this week! My kids are both such a blessing to me, I am often amazed they've turned out to be such great people. If we could just talk my hubby into heading your way we could put him to work on your projects while we visit for hours and play 200 rounds of fetch the ball with Joulie! :-)
DeleteSince reading this I've been thinking about things I should be thankful for. Things I am blessed with that I simply accept or take for granted. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteClick to visit Keith's Ramblings!
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I think we all do that Keith, that's why I like making this list each week, it makes me think about how really good my life is! Sometimes the little things are the big things too!
DeleteFaith is a great antidote to fear. I also agree so much with #7.
ReplyDeleteFaith gives me the strength to face each day, I remember what it's like not to have that. I know we have the same perspective on #7, it is important that we maintain our own integrity as we confront the issues.
Deletewhat a good list... not just in celebrating the end or change or transformation of things that are not good, but for the fact that you imply (in the list) that there is a natural state of good and positive things (and qualities and potentials) that is around us to take advantage of once we see them for being there.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Clark, I absolutely believe that life is inherently good, and we can tap into that if we make the choice to focus on it instead of all that's negative. I think there is hope for almost any situation.
DeleteWonderful list again this week. The more gratitude we have the greater our joy. I understand about anxiety woes. There was a time when I could hardly leave home I was so filled with anxiety. I am so very thankful those days are done and I am able to confront and most often conquer my fears. Sometimes it seems too difficult and I give myself some time to process and recover. All is well. I love my cats but neither one is a handyman! Bummer.
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia! You make an important point, sometimes we have to be gentle with ourselves, take a little extra time to work through things. The trick is to balance courage with calm. I smiled at your cats not being handymen, mine are quite handy... at making messes and causing commotion, and I love them dearly anyway, much like God loves us anyway I suppose!
DeleteI love your #8. It took me a long time to realize what a powerful negative impact fear can have on the mind and the physical body. I also have learned about how faith can help us through difficult times and can calm our fears.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. Fear can certainly be debilitating, and over time it can have such a detrimental affect on body and mind. Faith keeps fear at bay, it tells me He is greater than our fear and walks before us. When I am afraid, I pray, and then I try to redirect my energy away from obsessing and anxiety.
DeleteA most satisfying list. There's always something for which to be grateful.
ReplyDeleteAlways, Mimi, we even need to be thankful for the things that happen that don't feel so good, because they are to teach us lessons and we learn from them. Blessings in disguise. :-)
DeleteUgh my Facebook doesn't seem to be relaxing on the politics and a hundred other issues. I barely go on anymore - just a quick peek to confirm, yep -- still negativity mostly. Although I do absolutely understand people needing to vent, and that's their prerogative. I just don't have to read it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's still appearing on mine too, though to a lesser extent. I am all for sharing beliefs and opinions, but I really detest the negative, demeaning manner in which this is being done by both sides. This is not what I have Facebook for, and like you, I spend less time there because of it. I also unfollow friends who can't talk about anything else.
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