Giving Thanks

Hello! I know it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve posted to the blog. But I’ve been traveling and wrapping up the semester. If you’re not a follower of the blog, make sure to do so by clicking the link to the right. I’d really appreciate it!

 

I didn’t set out to blog about Thanksgiving, but it seems totally appropriate to do so. Lately, it seems as if I’ve been extremely discontented. Right now, everything in my life seems so uncertain… career, relationships, finances, etc. I know this is only a temporary time in my life, but it’s become so easy for me to be less-than-happy and in the slumps. But as I woke up this morning and I thought about Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I felt that I needed to change my attitude.

 

Sure, I may not yet have a stellar job lined up upon graduation, but I am thankful that I am capable and intelligent and competent. And though my Prince Charming hasn’t yet knocked on my door, I am thankful that I am never short on love from family and friends. I am by no means a millionaire, but I have never gone without anything that I needed, and for that, I must be thankful.

 

Yesterday, I helped Jaron (my nephew) make his first batch of sugar cookies. He was so excited to be cooking with Auntie. I measured out the ingredients, and he dumped them in. Then he helped to mix them and put them on the pan. In the end, they turned out looking like scones because he wanted to shape them on his own, but they were quite tasty. Now when I’m at school, I live by myself. It could be weeks before I receive a hug from anyone, and I must say that it gets kind of lonely. So when I’m at home, I soak up all the hugs and kisses that Jaron, Drew (my niece), and the rest of my family have to offer me. So I’m thankful to have some place to go to feel loved.

 

Tomorrow we are going to have a small Thanksgiving. Noelle and the kids have gone to visit her family. So it will be me, mom, and David Jon together this Thanksgiving. Some may consider this set-up to be quite lonely. But recalling what our family has been through, I will consider this a table of survivors. Not only are we surviving, but we are also succeeding and excelling. That’s definitely cause to be thankful.

 

Being thankful is really a perpetual state of mind. It is so easy to look around and see what is wrong with the world, with where you live, with who you are. But it takes a concerted effort to see what is right, what is lovely, and what is positive. So tomorrow, I have made up my mind that I will utter no complaint. I will think no thought of how I wish things were or what I want things to be like. I am going to focus on all the things that God has been so kind to bless me with. I challenge you to do the same thing.

 

One last note of thanks goes to you for reading the blog. Many of you have left comments, sent email, or seen me in person and told me how much you enjoy the blog. Not only is this an outlet for me, but also I hope that it impacts those who read it in a positive way. And when I hear that people identify with my posts, it really validates my effort. I am certainly thankful for that.

With that being said, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Eating!!!