It’s time to open up the blinds on my blog and let some light in. That last post of mine was much too dark. I firmly believe that even if you have things that are troubling you, it’s no reason to spend all of your time mucking around in the dark, worrying about them. I’m anxious to get back to humor and fun and things to be happy about. What better time to brighten up the place than Good News Sunday?
Today, I’d like to consider some of the things for which I’m grateful. It sounds corny, but nothing makes me happier than recognizing all that is good in my world right at this moment. There are many more than ten of them, but this list is a good place to start. Here goes:
1. Friends, old and new – Friends are angels on earth, the cherries on the top of the most amazing hot fudge sundaes. Even when family disappoints you, friends are always there. They’re like a vitamin B-12 shot for a sagging spirit.
2. My family – They make me crazy at times, but I can’t imagine life without them. Besides, they give me the coolest stuff to write about.
3. My dog – No matter what else is going on, my dog never fails to make me happy (well, except for when she barfs on the carpet.)
4. A terrific cup of coffee – The warmth, the aroma, the ritual of sitting down and sipping it slowly – pure bliss!
5. Winter – Putting up with the cold and snow is worth it to not have to worry about weeding, mowing, and other yard work for 5 months.
6. Knowing other writers – Before Open Salon, I didn’t know many other writers personally. Sure, I’d met some at writers’ conferences, but none with whom I’d felt comfortable keeping in touch. Now, thanks to OS, my world is full of other writers. We share ideas, offer one another support, and critique each other’s work. We celebrate each other’s successes and understand those levels of rejection that only writers know.
7. Sleepovers don’t last forever – I’m feeling this one big time today with two extra boys in the house. The noise! The food! The flying Nerf darts! The complaints of boredom! Soon, SOON, it will all be over.
8. Tequila – Specifically because of item number 7, above.
9. Orchids – What other flowering plant can you totally neglect and yet still be treated to gorgeous blooms twice a year?
10. The sun continuing to rise each day – Every day we get a brand new chance to make our lives into what we want them to be. Today, I’ll start by vowing to say no to sleepovers (or at least Nerf guns) in the future.
What things are YOU grateful for? Feel free to list them in the comments. I guarantee that just thinking about them will make you feel better.
Comments
This post hits close to home as I never expected that contentment would hit me at 40. (What I expected was bemoaning youth for the remaining 60 years. What do you know?)
What am I glad/ thankful? Actually, probably the same as you: The kids, the fact that my neighbor cleared his yard and my trees are getting sunlight (so excited I wrote The Iguana and Me), the tropical weather and not having to worry about snow---ever, being able to write. And OS, definitely OS and meeting such wonderful people.
I hope it's over soon for you.
Beautiful orchids and such a happy looking dog!
Thank you for the reminder to be grateful. This moment, I am grateful for espresso and lemon scones, which if they didn't leave crumbs in the keyboard, would be the most perfect thing ever created.
I'm thankful for the trials and tribulations of each day because they make me realize I am strong....gotta keep reminding myself of that one!
I'm also thankful for my dog, who has recently taken to sleeping under my desk. He's a wonderful foot warmer. When he doesn't fart.
I'm thankful for the birds at all my feeders. They make me laugh.
I'm thankful for the fat gray squirrels that also come to all my bird feeders. They make me laugh even more, and they give the dog something to chase.
Great post.
Your "dark" blog was beautiful too - we need all kinds of blogs. (actually, it wasn't dark at all. It was lit quite brightly with love for you son).
I am grateful for many of the same things you are - minus the tequila. I'd replace tequila with chocolate.
My friends are also the cherries on my sundae. Actually, they're also the whipped cream and hot fudge.
I have a very precious dog whom I wuv - he's so cute at times he puts me in a swoon. I can't help but talk baby talk to him. It's obnoxious - just ask my daughter.
I am very grateful for my girl - my only child - around whom the sun and moon and stars rotate. Without her, I would never have known my capacity to love. Or to worry. Endlessly.
Coffee - oh, yeah - I'm drinking it right now. Heaven.
The sun rising every day - the miracle of that - sometimes takes my breath away.
And the kindness of so many people on Open Salon.
I thought I was starting a blog for one reason - but Life has reasons of its own that make so much more sense than mine.
I'm grateful for you, Lisa. And for others like you.
Thanks Again!
1. All things cozy.
2. Tea and teapots and the ritual of it
3. Watching my daughter dance
4. My curtains - they are so colorful and pretty
5. My husband's MacBook and when he let's me use it
6. Books
7. This post to do my list online!
8. Documentaries
9. Vitamins
10. Winter walks
Have a good one Lisa!
Yes! the cup of coffee!!
{[R]}
Writers to connect with
Friends to lean on
The smell of fresh coffee
The sound of my name when my partner calls me
Hugs that go to my bones
And Bailey's a pretty girl, and lucky for you apparently needs nothing between her and the car.
What am I grateful for? Are you kidding? I'm grateful I met You!
V. Seijo - Yes, our 40s are great for helping us get our priorities in order. I'm jealousing about your tropical weather. Send some here, please?
FusunA - Thank you! The orchid is a cattleya. I grow three other varieties, but this one is the most impressive.
Pete - Thank you!
Torman - Dogs are the best. They give so much in exchange for so little.
Yarn Over - Aw, thank you so much!
Wakingupslowly - Oh my! Thankfully, I wasn't woken up with anything as dangerous as matches. You should see the photo I took of my son's room afterward. It's unbelievable.
greenheron - Mmmmm....lemon scones! Thanks for the nice words about my dog Bailey.
mamoore - "I'm thankful for the trials and tribulations of each day because they make me realize I am strong." I agree!
Z- Darling, you made my morning bright simply by showing up. XOXO
nerd cred - Thank you. So am I! :)
Brie - Sunshine makes everything better, doesn't it?
Eva - I hear you. Today I was out and it was still fairly sunny at 5:00. That means we're through the worst of the short days and on our way toward Spring.
sweetfeet - I agree with you. Gratitude, whether listed or spoken aloud, is a necessary component of a well-lived life. Thanks for the compliment on my orchid.
Cap'n - You said it, my friend!
Jimmy - I'm going to copy your comment and tape it to my computer. It's wonderful and so true.
Lea - See item #1, above. You always make me feel loved. XOXO
Robin - Girl, I think that this is going to be your year. It's off to a fabulous start.
Brian - Thank you. :)
Elena - Your list is wonderful! I'm jealousing over the blooming geranium. They're one of my favorite summer flowers.
What am I grateful for? My children - my husband - my job - my pets (dog, gerbils, chinchilla) - "mate" (the argentinian drink) - the landscapes in my country - online friends - offline friends - "asado" - and of course, the existence of chocolate!.
Kisses,
Marcela
Lunchlady - Oh yes. Those sleepovers are NOT good news!
Froggy - I love watching the birds at the feeders, too. The other day, a Downy woodpecker was eating from a suet cake that I had hung up from a shepherd's hook. Well, his feet became slippery from the suet, so when he hopped onto the pole after eating, he slid right down. I watched him for nearly 10 minutes climb up, slide down, climb up, slide down...it was hilarious!
Trauma Queen - You are so kind! :) And if I hadn't been reeling from a sleepover-gone-bad, I would've picked the chocolate, too. I'm glad you're here and that you're finding the magic of this place.
Sparking - I love your list! I just took the dog out today for a winter walk today. It was wonderful with the sun shining but the ground frozen.
Cindy - I'm so glad to see you here! Yes, I took the photo of the orchid. I love your gratitude for Will. :)
Madhuri - You miss sleepovers? I'll send Evan and his friend over right away! Just kidding. Thanks for stopping by.
Jane - You nailed it: remembering to be grateful is the hard part. Thanks so much for Good News Sunday. It gives us a nudge to remember.
Larry - You make me laugh! :)
Dr. Spud - Ha ha! I read "up bucket" as "upchuck".
mypsyche - another great list! Oh yeah...hugs are definite gratitude makers.
Mrs. Michaels - Evidently I neglect my orchids more than you do yours. :) I laughed at your comment that Bailey doesn't need something between her and the car as I remember your photo of Dog Monster balanced on the top of the seat. Dog Monster is so funny!
Sally - You're sweet! And I just may write about the sleepover. It was a doozy.
Kisses!
High Lonesome - Wow, Bailey looks like your dog? How cool is that! I had to laugh that your dog is only awake when everyone else is asleep. Bailey has set hours of being "on-duty": only between 6:30 am and 10:00 pm. If I happen to need a dog outside of those hours, I'm out of luck.
I'm grateful for my husband, a decent job, my wonderful friends, my books, writing, and the hope for sunshine and warmer weather. (I'd be happy if it got into the 40's.)
One night after laboring over the g. journal, I gave up and watched three DVD's in a row which made me supremely happy as my gratitude journal never did. I must have done something wrong.
That or at the time, years back, I simply could not work up any gratitude. I'm a lucky person in a way, things I worry about disappear, even if at the very last moment. Great writing Lisa, and anyone here, any tips?
P. S. Thanks for the birthday wishes, but you're not late. My birthday isn't until the end of March. Thanks so much for sharing some sunshine with me. :)