I bet you thought I dipped out of the gratitude challenge, didn't you? Well, alongside the fact that I am a stubborn, routine stricken Taurus, I very rarely start things and don't finish them. So, it's your lucky day, and mine, apparently.
As it goes for most people, my weeks are extremely busy and my weekends are my time to recap and catch up in the web world. Perhaps, that's why my social media-itis is so bad. At least, that's my theory.
So far, I've done two days of the challenge and then you lost me to the work week so lets make up for lost time, shall we? Here goes!
I am grateful for my positive attitude, my ability to see the best in things, find that silver lining (that's sometimes so hard to see) in even the hard times. Right there with that little cleaning gene, I get this attitude from my Mother. I have no doubt in my mind that I will encourage this mindset upon my children, because I try my best to even with the people that surround me on a day to day basis. I actually said to my Co-teacher this week, that shes been great at finding the silver lining in situations lately, better than I have been. Her ability to bring me back to the good side of things, well, that's something to be grateful for, too.
This can lead me right into the next thing...
I am grateful for my Mom. For the past 26 years and 5 months, she has done nothing but accept me for the person I am. In my younger years, I won't lie to you, I was a shit, and loving the person that I was at times, was hard, but she did it, unconditionally. I actually, until just recently, didn't want to have any girls, because I thought of myself as a teenager and well, I just don't want to go there. The thought of raising myself, especially as a 13 year old, terrified me. And, trust me, I will get what's coming. But, I know that my Mom will be at my side, coaching me along the way, and I have to say, I hope I do everything that you did, because, I think I turned out pretty great. Oh yeah, there's that confidence! Thanks for always loving me and encouraging me to be myself, and to love who I am.
I am grateful for seasons, but most of all Fall. There's something refreshing and renewing about the changing of seasons. The routine Taurus that I am, believe it or not, enjoys the changing of the seasons. It feels wonderful. I definitely enjoy the changing of the seasons in Colorado, because, lets be real, every season here is amazing. But I've come to realize that the seasons back home are a lot more intense. And I am down with intensity.
I am grateful for music. Gosh, you guys, what would the world be like without our jams? To imagine the world in silence is kind of like imaging the world without coffee or love. Scarryyyy!
I am grateful for technology (Skype, Face time, all those great social blessings that connect us). I'll even throw email in there. And Facebook, how could I forget? Because without those things, I would actually have to have a conversation on the phone and we all know I would rather go to the dentist than do that, so.
I am grateful for the fact that Joel mentioned to me that he always wanted to live in Colorado and "why don't we move there together?" Because, it's our home now and it started as just a simple thought. Moving here together has brought us so much closer as a couple and living with him is everything I thought it would be and more. Dating for 3 years before living together, well, I continue to encourage anyone and everyone to just take your relationship s l o w l y. Calling Colorado our home (right now) is wonderful and it's been a life changing experience for both of us.
I am grateful for books! Ah, books! When we looked at our place, that is currently our home, all I had to hear was, "The Community Center and Library are just down the road!" Awesome, here's my money! Take it! I need this place! Well, for that and for many other reasons. I used to hate reading. I hated reading until my Junior year in High School and now I read religiously. I'm convinced reading makes conversing with people a whole lot easier and it makes a person more intelligent. The two year olds in my class are lucky that I enjoy reading the same book a thousand times a day.
I am grateful for my cats. I'm bad about and overly enthusiastic about pictures and videos of my cats, and other cats, lets be real, and I can only imagine what it will be like with my children someday. My cats continue to entertain me and make me laugh, love and cuddle me when Joel is out of town. They greet me at the door every time I get home and Oscar jumps up on my lap every morning when I first go use the bathroom. They bring a whole lot of life and laughter to our place, even if they leave their hair on and in everything. My life is littered in cat hair and I would have it no other way.
I feel like there are so many other things that I am grateful for... I'm having a hard time choosing to mention just one last one for this challenge, that isn't even really a challenge. So, I'll make a broad but simple;
I am grateful for quotes, for other people's wise and inspiring words. Honestly, if I've had a bad day, the last thing I do before I go to bed, is read my quote books. Hm, does this tie right in with books? Perhaps not, since I find a thousand amazing words said by others, simply when I'm enjoying the other blogs that I regularly follow. There is a quote about everything! And those who know me well, know this about me. Heck, if we're friends on Facebook, not a weekend goes by that I don't post a quote as my status. In fact, I came across one I had never heard this morning and couldn't pass up the opportunity to share it with my people. There's just something about wisdom from others; it just makes you want to be better yourself. At least, that's the effect it has on me.
Now that this Gratitude Challenge has come to an end, I challenge you, although it's quite simple, to note all the things in your life that you're grateful for. You don't need to make those things known, by posting them to Facebook or whatever, but think about them. Think about them on a regular basis and your life will truly be better.
Love your life and it will love you right back.
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