January 27th

Today I am thankful because it is Sunday. It is sunny and I am tucked away in my room working on homework. What I like most about Sunday though, is that you can move at your own pace...usually. Something about Sunday demands peace. It's as though your inside self says, nope, all of the other days can be filled with chaos and ridiculosity, but today I need peace. And today, I would encourage you to seek that out. There isn't peace at my house on Sunday very often and so I go to the bookstore, or the coffeeshop, anywhere where I can just have some time away to recollect myself for the week ahead.

January 26th

Today could have been a disappointing day. One of my favourite bands is playing in a city I went to visit last weekend. But, instead, I spent some time with friends here, in my town! I was just about to list all of the things that I did today, but then I realized, I don't want to measure my success or happiness by my productivity. Today, I am satisfied knowing that I balanced my time.

Another Week Gone By...

Well, it seems as though I'm making a habit of the weekly post. I think with everything going on right now, it might be better to take the pressure of the daily, but it's still something that I want to work towards. hmm, so since the 21st...well, Tuesday was great because I had my first rehearsal for the school musical and, even though it takes up precious time, it actually de-stressed me a bit. I could actually eat dinner when I got home! Wednesday I finished some homework, which was super good because it just feels so awesome to cross one more thing off the never-ending list. Thursday I said, "no" to everything and just stayed home in the evening to work on things; sometimes you just need to put things on hold so that you can get a handle on them again. Friday was so good; it was hard in parts, but good. I was beginning to feel the tension creep back in and I was super restless and then I had a super good chat with some of the other youth leaders late into the night. I just love it when truth is spoken.

January 21st

Today is known as "Blue Monday" because it is 3 weeks from New Year's and the dead of winter. People are becoming discouraged in their resolutions and getting pretty much fed up with the stretch of cold, grey winter days. But today, I chose not to be "blue" or "grey" or any other colour for that matter. Today, I choose to be thankful! Today I am thankful because I went to have my shiny new professional resumé reviewed and proofread and it went quite well! I had prepared myself for an academic tear-down, but instead found affirmation, wow!

Resolutions

Isn't it funny how we think we're different than the rest? How we have this strange belief that we are invincible, impervious, whatever. We always think that we will stand out, laughing in the face of statistics. I say all this because it has now been 3 weeks since the new year, and I have found that I'm already a week behind on my resolution of a piece of gratitude every day. But it is not time to give up! Instead, it is time to renew the commitment, knowing that it is good. So, the past week has been a little crazy. Tuesday I was thankful to have had the first rehearsal for the school musical (on the Bucket List!), Wednesday I was thankful to be bombarded with information about jobs and recruiters, and also to work with my brother. Thursday I was thankful to have run into a friend and share dinner with them before heading off to work. Friday I was thankful to make some progress in my life drawing. Saturday I was thankful to spend the day in Montréal with some friends, touring around, getting wet, getting lost, waiting in lines, shopping, laughing, eating, speaking French, taking pictures. It was exhausting, but fun and freeing. Today, Sunday, I am thankful to have some time to get work done...although, as usual, I can never accomplish as much as I want (maybe I spend too much time blogging); but I am also amazingly thankful to go to the Truth Project tonight and to be led in discussion for once. To have someone listen and respond, validate and challenge what I have to say. So refreshing. I have a good life.

January 14th

Wow! Today was just a whirlwind of amazing! I met some recruiters for teaching in the UK which is exactly what I want to do, and they were from the same area as my family which was super cool and very helpful. Plus, I got a ton of work done...although I'm still feeling a little lost as to my school work (there is always something that I'm forgetting...), I've got it mostly all under control, phew! And tonight I went out for dinner & a movie with one of my sincere friends whom I haven't seen in a while because she's working far away at the moment. How is it that the best friends are always moving around? But that's fine! Appreciate the time we do have together, that's the key.

What a Whirlwind!

Well, it's been 4 days since my last post, but I haven't given up! On Thursday, I was able to spend some time with a group of lovely young women from my small group at church. I don't know all of them very well, but we played some board games, shared some fun stories and I'm looking forward to learning and growing more with them this semester. On Friday, my very good friend came down for the weekend for a conference, which was fabulous! The speaker we heard that night was hilarious yet insightful and down to earth. Saturday brought a lot of things; my friend and I spent some time together studying and chatting in Starbucks and then we went out for dinner with some other friends which was also absolutely hilarious. Today is Sunday and while I'm sad that my friend has gone home and that we didn't get to talk about everything under the sun, I am thankful for the time that we had and the affirmation of that friendship, despite its imperfections. I'm also happy to have some downtime before school starts up again tomorrow, goodness knows I need some time to get all this work done!

January 8th

Today I was really happy to have the time to sit and have a really good conversation with one of my friends. We hadn't seen each other since before Christmas and our conversation yesterday was very encouraging. I'm hoping to have more like that in the future. I am inspired to show my friends how much they mean to me by reaching out to them, listening to them, spending time with them in this crazy place where time is so valuable.

Week One

Well, this is one week down. It's had its ups and downs, but I have to say, I like that I come to this every day, even for just a few moments to pause and reflect on something good. Today I am super happy because my nan and I were chatting and I had an envelope full of information I had just picked up from school. I had already walked through some of it with her very briefly, but after we had taken a break she got her glasses and said, "let me take a look through it." I said, "I already went through it, kind of; you don't have to." And replied with the best answer I've heard, "But I want to." I love that. I mean, I love my nan so much, for so many reasons; but this just made me really happy today. Finally, someone actually says that they care about something that I'm interested in, that means something to me. She showed me that she valued me, not by saying, "you're so great" but by taking the time to spend with me, on something that is important to me. That is super, pass it on. SHOW people you care.

January 6th

Ahh Sunday. During the semester, Sunday is a busy social day; it's good for catching up with friends, or on homework. But today, the last day before school starts up once more, I was able to relax and play cards all afternoon. And right now, I'm thankful to have some time to myself to get my brain organized!

January 5th

Today I worked, and I am thankful for that; but I am also extremely thankful that I was able to finish work while it was still daylight! And what a beautiful day too!

1, 2, 3, 4...

Today is January 4th, 2013. It's a Friday, so naturally there are many things to be thankful for. But I don't want to allow my circumstances determine my attitude or happiness, although they may have some unintentional influence. How couldn't they? I'm human. Anyway, I have three days of gratitude to check in here before I even get to today! January 1st: I was very happy to wake up in the company of friends, of good and true friends that I hadn't seen in a while. Excellent. January 2nd: I was delighted to go skating, and at sunset no less! It was absolutely freezing, but completely worth the time spent breathing in fresh winter air and chatting with an old friend. January 3rd: Ahh, I was thankful to be able to stay in my jammy bottoms until 2 o'clock. I got to take the day at my own pace for a change and enjoy the beauty of silence. I also got to play cards with my nan, which was great. Today I am thankful that I got to dance around freely and wildly and just because!

A Year of Gratitude

Today is Thursday, January 3rd, 2013. We are only 3 days into the new year and I'm already exhausted and behind on my to-do list. But, one thing that I decided this year (and it's been tugging at me for a while now), is that I would bring more gratitude into my life. I believe that one of the main reasons we walk around dissatisfied, disappointed, and disillusioned is because we don't make the effort to look on the bright side. For me, last year had its own ups and downs and when I look back, I look back on two completely different years. The 2012 where I was soaring and I was amazed by so many things in my life, and the 2012 where nothing ever seemed to go my way, where disappointment reared its ugly head around every corner. Both of these are somewhat true, but which lens, which attitude am I going to let win the battle for my heart? This year, I choose gratitude. I am going to try to post every single day at least one thing that I am thankful for that day. Especially on the bad ones. Here's to hope and new beginnings!