A Facebook friend (and someone I've known a really long time) posted that, because Thanksgiving is this month, each day's status update for the month would be about something for which she was thankful. What a great idea! I decided to do the same. The most amazing part about it is how it has snowballed. I see some of my friends picking up the idea, and I'm sure they're passing it along to their friends, and hopefully, on and on it goes. Because really, when you're focusing on the things that you have to be grateful about, it's hard to pout.
I'd like to expound a little bit on my first week's worth of gratitude meditations. A status update can only be so long, after all.
Nov. 1. I am grateful for the end of daylight savings time. I know that seems very frivolous, but to me, it really isn't. For one thing, there's that extra, glorious hour of weekend. I usually spend the Saturday night of the time change looking at the clock and thinking, "it's 10:00. But not really! Really, it's 9:00!" And so on. But the fact is, I just can't stand waking up when it's dark. My body is smarter than that. Just moving the clock around doesn't convince me that it's really earlier than I think it is, or later, or whichever. It's so confusing. I think I miss that lost hour all summer long! People complain about going back to standard time, they don't like it being dark when they come home from work. But I find it cozier somehow. I like it.
Nov. 2. It was a Monday, and my first thought was "yuck, Monday". But then I realized that alot of people I know don't have jobs right now, don't have any place to dread going on Monday. And I realized how very glad and thankful I am for a job, a good job at that. Most of my family has been affected by this economy at one time or another, and many of my friends. It sucks. I am very thankful for my job.
Nov. 3. I am incredibly grateful for my amazing friends. I have found old ones and made new ones on Facebook, I have friends from practically every job I've ever had, and I have friends that are like family to me. They are wise, funny, caring, and generous. I have a friend who dressed me in the hospital once. A friend who helped me throw a baby shower for my daughter in law. A friend who was at the hospital with me when my son was born, and I returned the favor 10 years later. Friends who spent most of a weekend catering my son's wedding. I've rediscovered old friends on Facebook that I hope to reconnect with in person. I could go on and on and on because truly, I am rich in friendship. I don't know how I got so lucky.
Nov. 4 brought news that my precious 5 month old grandson had a confirmed case of swine flu. This was not happy news. However, i was incredibly thankful that he had been taken to the doctor right away, put on Tamiflu, and was having a relatively mild case, it seemed. He continues to improve. In a day and time when many people don't have access to health care, I am so grateful that my grandson does, at least for now.
Nov. 5. I am having a wonderful year, mostly related to the happy expansion of my family. My son got married this year, and I now have a daughter. I don't really think of her as an "in-law", with all those silly negative connotations. She is my family. I love her so much and am so thankful to have another person in this world who loves my son as much as I do. (maybe even more!)
Nov. 6 was a pretty good day. My friend and co-worker brought homemade breakfast to the office. It was Friday. I found myself thinking how much I enjoy cutting up and hanging out with the people I work with. We have some really annoying things happen at work -- doesn't everyone? -- but we have a great time commiserating together. And I enjoy them when we're not being miserable about something, too. I really do have a great bunch of co-workers. It's a good thing, since I spend more time with them than I do my family!
Nov. 7. I have only one child, my son Eric. I know I'm supposed to say these things because I'm his mom, but damn, I hit the jackpot with that kid. He has grown into such a fun, smart, funny, loving and responsible adult. He is very considerate of him mom and dad and we are very close. I couldn't be more proud of the son I've raised.
So far, thinking of my post for each day has been easy. It's funny how just thinking of one thing each day, and writing it down, really focuses me on the positive aspects of my life. It's been said that what you focus on is what you see. I'm going to try to remember that.
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