Keep your Eyes on the Prize

Part of what makes this project so effective is just the fact that, even though I don't always get time to post, it still causes me to think about what I'm thankful for throughout the day. I think that it's so important for your mind to be "brainstorming positive thoughts" to keep you from the negative ruts we so easily fall into.

Peace & Puppies

Whenever there is some kind of unrest at my house, or whenever I cry, or whenever their food bowl is out of place, my dogs get upset. But when I cry, they don't bark like they do when their food bowl is in the wrong spot, instead they whine and use their paws to touch me. It's like they're asking me, in their own little way, what is wrong. I love that they come and comfort me when I'm not feeling so great. A good cuddle with my dog always brightens my day just enough.

A Quick & Foggy Reflection

I've been meaning to log on for days to post something. But you know what? Just because I haven't posted, doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking. In fact, I've been thinking a lot more about what to post and what I'm thankful for in the past week than I have in...at least the few weeks before that. My mind is a bit of a jumble right now, and I just woke up from a nap, which isn't really helping this to make sense, but the point is; I need to say that: I'm thankful for the early morning skies that I've been fortunate enough to enjoy on my drive to work. I'm thankful for the sunsets that I can now enjoy on my way home from work as well. One of my favourite moments of the day is when I peer through the rearview mirror to see a reddish orange streaked light painted through the sky behind me. I'm thankful that I spent my Sunday afternoon playing cards and relaxing. I'm thankful that I was able to spend time with my brother and his fiancee and that we make each other laugh side-splittingly. I am thankful that I have had four job interview offers in the past week! And I'm thankful that the possibilities seem endless at the moment. I'm thankful for cozy cardigans and snuggly scarves. I'm thankful for happy green pants and sweet scented hand cream. I'm thankful that my life is full and busy...although I know that it doesn't need to be busy to be full. But I'm thankful that I can spend my time helping people. I'm thankful that I had a deliciously healthy lunch today. I'm thankful for my cuddly dogs and my warm bed. I am thankful for all of these things and more; I just need to keep them in mind when it rains in my head.

Oh Happy Day!

Today was good. When I got up this morning, my alarm went off 15 minutes late, the internet wasn't working and I couldn't find my other mitten. But nothing could get me down. Why? I'm not sure! But it was sunny and the few clouds were stunning in the morning light. I love those silent moments. Or even the moments like these when they are filled with a great song that you can pump up the day with!

Sunday

I know that it's nearly Thursday and I've ignored all of the other days, but Sundays are important to me. Sundays, the day of rest, are possibly the least restful of days in my own experience. They haven't always been this way, but currently, lately, I seem to always end up in tears on a Sunday. I cry other days too, but Sundays are fairly consistent in time and reason. But this Sunday, this Sunday was amazing. If someone had asked me how my Sunday went, I would have replied, "fine", and it would be true. There was nothing spectacular about this particular Sunday, in fact, it was pretty boring. But if it was so boring, why did I describe it as amazing? Well, I was happy because I didn't cry. And not just that I didn't cry, my goal is not to suppress my emotions; I was happy because I had no reason to cry this week, thank goodness. Let's just hope it lasts.

Peace

Today, I felt great peace. I don't know why, I just had moments where I was completely satisfied. Not overly euphoric, just sighfully satisfied, whether because of a song, or a memory, or joy in driving, all brought me peace today. But then, you could argue that these things are always there, but my perspective brought me peace today. And I think it was a little of both, some circumstance, some attitude; it's the balance that makes up life, and that makes life so challenging.

Two Steps Backward, One Step Forward

Must I always be looking back? I'm beginning to feel as though this blog is dragging me backwards instead of propelling me forwards into hope. It's good to be reflective, but what I had aimed for with this blog was to be reflective in a moment, not struggling to remember a week or more. There is a huge difference between remembrance and reflection. Sometimes, we encounter stages in life where it is necessary to step backwards in order to step forwards; sometimes stepping back gives you a better perspective, sometimes it allows you to solidify some learning, sometimes, you're just not ready to dive in. Whatever it is, the important thing is that you learn and that you always keep marching forward.

Fill that Bucket!

Let's pretend that everyone has a bucketful of needs. The thing is, the bucket is filled with different compartments so that it can be filled with different things. The thing is, everyone you know has the capacity to fill your bucket, but there is no one person in particular who has the ability to fill all of the compartments. Are you still following? What I'm getting at here is the idea that we all have different talents or ways that we connect with people or can "fill their bucket", but nobody is Superman. No one can fill all of the compartments, no one can meet all the needs of the people around them, just as we cannot look to one person to fill all of our own needs. Sometimes we need to stop and think about that, and be grateful for the people we do have and for the ways in which our bucket is overflowing. I, personally, need to stop thinking that I am Superwoman and can fill everyone's buckets with a flick of my magic wand. I need to be more grateful for my own gifts and the role that they do play rather than be jealous about the role that I want them to play.