We've made it through November.... I guess I should explain.
On November 1st, I woke up with knots in the pit in my stomach. I wasn't ready for November to already be here, and really just wanted to stay under the covers and let it pass me by. For as happy as I seem to be on the exterior, I can swing just as dark. I got out of bed and was in a foul mood. I have a policy of "fake it until you feel it" when I feel gloomy. It just wasn't working that day. November had come and it was sinking on me like a wet blanket.
I pushed through and started my day. As usual, I checked Facebook to see what was going on in the world. And I am so glad I did... a few of my friends had started the month of thankfulness.
This was just a commitment to be thankful or grateful for at least one thing each day of November. I decided right then and there that I would turn the first dark thought into a positive one. Just an exercise in looking for the silver lining, which I was having a hard time doing or finding.
That first day, I searched and searched for something to be thankful for. It was hard because the weather was matching my mood - drizzly, grey, cold, overcast. But then, the clouds parted just a bit... and beautiful blue sky peeked through with a few rays of sunshine. On my way to the gym, the sun peeked out again. Amazing that it lifted my mood. And I had my first thing to be thankful for.
The first week was tough getting through, but I kept on. And with anything, it was easier to count my blessings as I kept exercising the "thankfulness muscle." I kept getting out of bed, kept putting one foot in front of the other, and consciously choosing to focus on the good. By the middle of the month, I felt completely overwhelmed by the goodness that was in my life... and it was hard to just pick one thing to call out on Facebook.
So, here I am on December 1st. I made it through November and avoided the depression that was lurking and threatening to consume me. And I truly feel blessed for all the good in my life.
I thought I would share my list with the blogosphere... in case you missed it on Facebook with just a little back story on a few of them.
1. I am thankful for the peeks of sunshine and blue sky I saw today, because sometimes it is the little things in life.
2. I am thankful for joints that creak and ache in areas that I hurt back in the day... They remind me of all the fun I had growing up. (The run I had on the 1st was punishing - I pushed hard and felt it the next day).
3. I am thankful to live in a country where freedom of speech is upheld and the media, while biased at times, is not censored on a large-scale as it is in other countries. (the information about the media holding/ deleting info on Benghazi came out)
4. For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (We had Thanksgiving early at our house)
5. I am thankful for wonderful friends who make me ♪ happy when skies are gray ♪ . You know who you are... and I am so glad you are in my life (as crazy as it is). (I had a wonderful conversation with a dear friend... it made me realize how many people I have in my life who love me for me and how much I love them right back.)
6. I am thankful for: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. (Election Day)
7. I am thankful to be blessed with a wonderful husband and baby daddy. I love you, Ron Oliver! (We dropped Ronnie off for his deployment)
8. Today, I am thankful for Things 1 and 2. I cannot imagine where I would be if I didn't have my sweet little girls in my life. Life is so much more colorful and happy with them in it. (It was one of those "hurry up, the bus is coming. No you can't wear that. What do you mean you don't have money in your lunch account?" mornings)
9. I am thankful that my mom is within driving distance. It has been a long week and I needed a hug.
10. I am so very thankful for my parents, who are celebrating their anniversary today. They raised me up right by teaching me some hard lessons about life and letting me learn others on my own. But never was there a doubt that they were in my corner --EVER!!! Even today, it's hard to beat a "that's my girl" from my mom and dad. I love y'all -- Happy Anniversary!!!!!
11. "On that day let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us reconsecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Veterans Day, 1954,” Proclamation 3071 (Veteran's Day)
12. I am thankful to have family surrounding me. We are stationed at that extremely rare assignment where we are within an hour from my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma, and my children get to grow up knowing all of them. What a blessing! (Had a great weekend with my family)
13. I am thankful for our community. We have fantastic neighbors, an excellent school (with super fantastic people who go there), and a wonderful church home. We seriously hit the jackpot when we were assigned here. (I have been stopped in church, at school, at work, and in the neighborhood with people asking how I was, if Ronnie made it to Afghanistan, and offers of help anytime I need)
14. I am thankful for my bed... Yep, that's what I got today zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (It had been a long day and I felt a migraine coming)
15. I am thankful for our military family. For everyone who has shared a meal with us at holidays, birthdays, PCS's, and plain just becauses - thank you for helping those places that are so far away feel just like home.
16. I am thankful for our family fun night tradition. Just fun to reconnect as a family after the go-go-go of the week. (We had family fun night with my mom. Had a kid-directed dinner, watched a family friendly movie, and just had a TON of fun).
17. I am thankful to be rid of this nagging migraine. It put a crimp in my run today, but I still finished the 5 miles. Here's to hoping it's gone for good....
18. I am thankful for technology, as it makes a long distance seem like just around the corner. This morning, the girls woke up to a text from their daddy... It just makes the day start off right. We love and miss you! (YEAH DADDY! is really all the start you need for the day, isn't it?)
19. I am thankful for rain... Up this way, it means there is SNOW in the mountains!!!! (Crystal Mountain is getting close to opening; meaning ski season is coming!)
20. I am thankful to have talked with my husband this morning. It was short and sweet, but the time was all my own as the girls were already on the bus. Exactly what I needed to start my day... And yes, honey, I owned that mid-term.
21. I am thankful that I didn't have to travel more than my normal commute today. All you crazy people traveling today, I hope you get where you're going safe and sound.
22. "It is therefore recommended... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor." ~ Samuel Adams, the first Thanksgiving Day Proclamation
23. I am thankful to be the mother of two children with giving spirits and kind hearts. They are going through their toys and choosing what to donate.. There have been no tears or tantrums, just a kindhearted: I really think someone else will enjoy this, mommy. So proud of them!
24. I am thankful for the weather to be holding out for the race. Overcast, cold, but no rain.
25. I am thankful to have been healthy enough to complete my first half marathon.
26. I am thankful for my sweet cousin, Emily Angevine. This morning, I got out of bed and my legs just ache... Thank you for watching the girls while I went off and ran the half!!!! The girls and I love you beyond measure. Hope you have a great week, blow your finals out of the water, and get home soon so we can play again.
27. Today, I am thankful for Epsom salts, NSAIDs, and Tiger Balm. (Day 2 after the race... still sore but managing).
28. As I wrap up the month of Thankfulness I would be remiss if I didn't add in something about forgiveness. I am thankful that I have been forgiven by others as well as have forgiven others myself! Who knows where I would be if I didn't receive the gift of forgiveness from my friends. Thank you for the reminder, Mel! "You're not punishing others when you get angry with them, you're actually punish yourself. And the longer you stay mad at them, the longer you have to live with that toxicity. And remember, especially during this holiday season: when you forgive someone for something they've done, you're not doing THEM a favor; you're liberating yourself. So give yourself the greatest gift anyone could ask for: forgiveness. 'To really love we must learn how to forgive' -Mother Teresa"
29. I am thankful for the gift of time. There have been so many people who have given me their time and have helped shaped me into what/who I am today. I cannot thank them enough for the valuable present they have given me. (I am breezing through my Master's program and have something to say. A lot of it revolves around people who have taught me lessons or have mentored me along the way. It got me to thinking about all those who have poured a little bit of themselves in me. From teachers, to coworkers and supervisors, to friends -- I have a lot of little voices in my head and am thankful for them being there.)
30. I am thankful for lazy, rainy Friday Fun nights with my girls. And for getting to Skype with Ronnie in the middle of it.
