November, being the month that houses Thanksgiving, is a time to remember what we're thankful for.
It can be so easy to go through every day without realizing all the little (and big!) things that we have in our lives, both material and intangible. We get so caught up in our daily rituals, our responsibilities, our own minds that we forget to take a moment to really look around at what all we are blessed with.
This year, I took part in a "30 Days of Being Thankful"type of thing. I'm not sure if there is an actual name for it or not, so that is what I'll call it. I noticed on November 1st people on Facebook claiming "Day 1" or "Nov 1st" and thought...that sounds like a wonderful thing to do!
So I set out to complete 30 days worth of being thankful and to my surprise, some days were quite a challenge. It can be difficult to find the good in a day that feels like it's up against you.
I must say this was such an awesome quest for me, I found it really humbling and enriching. Some days my thanks were silly, some days material things, others people or events in my life. Each day gave me a new opportunity to shine light on an area of my life I'm thankful I have/earned/deserve/have been given. I decided to document them all here because I think it's pretty great to see them all in 1 place.
Day 1: I'm thankful for the house we
rent, that J has made a home.
Day 2: I'm thankful for Dustin's timing
on sending me random little things, unknowingly right when I need a
laugh.Thanks Squash. :)
Day 3: I'm thankful for Netflix since
it is currently allowing us to watch the entire series of The Wonder
Years.
Day 4: I'm thankful for my wife for
being in my life for 19 years and never giving up on me; despite
distance, egos, changes, and mistakes.
Nov 5: Today I'm thankful for the
kindness of strangers, and in East Oakland, no less. Thank you to the
man who helped me at the gas station.
Day 6: Despite having done so last week
via mail, today I am thankful, as a woman, for my right to vote. Oh
and also for being able to get an absentee ballot and vote in my home
state!
Day 7: I'm thankful for sleep because
I really needed it, and was able to get a lot of it. woo! Although, I
still need more.
Day 8: I'm thankful that despite all
the drowning, I've managed to stay afloat in grad school thus far.
Day 9: I'm thankful I have a best
friend with such awesome style that I'm still getting compliments on
clothes she gave away to me like 2 years ago (and am still wearing
too!)
Day 10: I'm thankful for my older
brother, Troy. Although he's not my only brother, he is the one who
has given me the most "older brother" memories, including
all the ones where he tortures you, picks on you, makes you cry.
There's also a whole lot more that include good advice, games, funny
jokes, great memories, and big hugs and even bigger laughs. Love you
Troylet.
Day 11: I'm thankful for those who have
served and continue to serve. For all the ones I know well and hold
dear to my heart, and for those I'll never meet. Happy Veterans Day ♥
Day 12: I'm thankful I have the ability
to run, even with all the complications and setbacks of my injury,
I'm still capable of running.
Day 13: I'm thankful to have friends I
consider family, and family I consider friends.
Day 14: I'm thankful that, despite
initial disappointments and rejection during 1st year, I ended up in
the research group I'm in because it has proven to be a pretty great
fit for me :)
Day 15: I'm thankful J is skilled
enough to keep my car alive for as long as possible, because we
really need it to keep living.
Day 16: I'm thankful for Chinese food
delivery. It's a rarity in this house, but some days, I just really
don't want to cook, or think.
Day 17: I'm finding it difficult to
find something to be thankful for in the midst of all the
stress...but I guess I'm thankful that I am good at baking, because
as of lately, its all I've been any good at.
Day 18: I'm thankful this quarter is
almost over. I don't think I can take much more. Just a few more
days.
Day 19: I'm thankful for those around
me that help me out to make my life a little easier, like Freda
turning in my paper for me today so I didn't have to drive 85 miles
just to turn it in, and for J for always taking out the trash and
cleaning up (daily!) the cat poo from the strays that have decided
our driveway is a litter box. It's these kinds of things that keep me
from going totally insane, and for that I am oh-so-thankful!
Day 20: I'm thankful that my team
pulled through (it was down to the final hour!) and we were able to
submit to APA!! Here's to hoping we get accepted! :D
Day 21: I'm thankful for surprises in
the mail. They really are just the best thing ever :) Especially when
they're from people you love ♥
Day 22: I'm thankful I get to be an
Auntie and a Godmother. My nephews, my niece and my goddaughters fill my
heart with so much love I never even knew possible. I'm thankful for
their parents for bringing them into this world and for allowing me
the privilege of being in their lives. ♥ I love and miss all these
little kiddos, even though some of them aren't very little anymore.
Day 23: I'm thankful for technology
that allows me to joke with my nephew via text who is 700 miles away,
and talk with my niece about what the tooth fairy brought her, even
though I'm 2 states away.
Day 24: I'm thankful for how much joy I
get from anything Christmas related, it makes this time of year
unbelievably wonderful for me...currently watching National Lampoon's
Christmas Vacation and having pumpkin pie ice cream :D
Day 25: I'm thankful for lazy Sundays.
Day 26: I'm thankful I've been able to
travel as much as I have in my life so far and been able to
experience other cities, states, and other countries...and I hope to
continue to do so, if grad school will allow it.
Day 27: I'm thankful for family
visitors. J's dad is here until Saturday!
Day 28: I'm thankful for my dad and
everything he has taught and continues to teach me and all he does
for those he loves. Today also happens to be his birthday...so Happy
Birthday Dad. Love you. ♥
Day 29: I'm thankful for my mom. She's
helped teach me what it means to be a successful woman in this world,
and that's no easy job ;)
Day 30: I'm thankful for my family, all
of them. My family who made so many of my childhood memories
unforgettable, and my family who have stood by me in my most
difficult struggles. I could not be where I am today without all of
them. I am so lucky to be a part of such a large, supportive, loving,
laughter-filled family.
