This is the week of Thanksgiving Day, but it’s a better idea to make it a week of thanksgiving. In spite of living in lockdowns, wearing masks, suffering through toilet paper shortages, and trying to avoid a wicked virus, we still have lots to be thankful for.
My last two blogs have been about how upside down my life has been lately. A lot of days I feel blue. The friends who usually help me through those periods are in another state. I’ve made several phone calls to them, but it’s not the same as sitting across a table and talking in person. I can’t seem to help feeling down, but I have very little to complain about. More than anything, I need an attitude adjustment. I need a gratitude attitude.
To remind myself of how blessed I am, I decided to list somethings that I’m thankful for. This week, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I will focus on what I’m grateful for. Here are a few things:
- I’m thankful to have a roof over my head, food on the table (or in my lap in front of the TV), and a safe place to sleep at night. My lively dreams make me look forward to them while I’m sleeping.
- I’m thankful for living in a nation that for the most part is peaceful and civil. In spite of all the problems we seem to be having, it’s still a great place to live. We take a lot of freedoms for granted that other people wish they had.
- I’m thankful for technology so I can talk to family and friends any time I want to or need to. I’m thankful for TV technology which keeps me informed and entertained when I can’t get out much. I’m thankful for email so I can work from home while editing a book manuscript instead of waiting for a package in the snail mail. It allows me to expand my range. Technology has shortened distances, but I wish someone would invent a transporter like they have on Star Trek. I would love to be able to beam across the miles.
- I’m thankful our house sold quickly so I don’t have to worry about whether we priced it too high, if it will sell, or anything else involved with selling a house. We have an amazing realtor, and I appreciate her and her team. I wish buying a house was just as easy.
- I’m thankful for friends who text and take the time to talk with me on the phone. I don’t know what I’d do without them. All of them. They lift me up when I’m feeling blue, listen to me when I need to vent, and understand when I need someone to tell me I’m not crazy. I wish I could find a way to repay them.
- I’m thankful for my family who keep me in their prayers and thoughts. Not everyone is lucky enough to have close family relationships, and I’m very blessed in that way. My parents are still with us, my siblings are here to lean on, and my children are amazing supporters even though I drive them crazy. I value their input and opinions which I often take into consideration on decisions. I trust them wholeheartedly.
- I’m thankful for Hubby. Our 40+ years together have strengthened our relationship. When my head is on vacation, Hubby is sharp. When his head takes a trip, my head works good. I’m thankful at least one of us is on the ball at all times. We make a good team.
- Etc. Etc. I’m thankful for a lot of things, both temporal and spiritual, too numerous to list. God has been very good to me and my family. I thank Him daily.
Take a few minutes this week and count your blessings. Make a list of what you’re thankful for so you can see them in black and white. This year may not have been the best, but a gratitude attitude will help see you through it.
Thank you Carol – I plan to make a list of my thankfulness too, thanks to you. Wish you were feeling blue, but then this is a year for feeling blue, missing loved ones (especially your mother-in-law). I can cry at the drop of a hat for the last six months. I keep blaming it on loosing mom, but added not seeing friends, not have social gatherings, not running to the store or whereever I want, not going on vacation when we wanted, not celebrating Lari’s 75th birthday with more than our children and families. Yes, we are blue and sad — BUT as you I am going to move on; I am going to be thankful today and every day – I am alive, I am well, my family is well (well most of them one sister has covid but is well, a granddaughter has covid and feeling mostly fair), I have money to survive with; I have food on the table, I have been able to take walks, and stay healthy.
Thank you so much, for being you, and love hearing from you and Craig
I’m thankful for my life. I’ve had many ups, downs and hardships. I’ve had adventures, pleasures and seen parts of the world. I have a family, shelter, food and clothes. I have friends, talents, and pets. I have a wife to share my time with. I am most thankful for God whom I give the glory.