thanksgiving 2014

from a young age, i was challenged by my mother to write down three unique things im thankful for each day. at first it was easy. as time wore on, i thought to myself - i have to start over and write down everything i've already realized i'm thankful for. nope. instead, i expanded my thinking and started thinking of new things each and every day. 

today, i share my three with you:

1. i am thankful for people with differing opinions. i'm not saying everyone needs to vocalize their opinions the way they do, but i appreciate people who think about a situation enough to have a stand on it. the world would be sooo boring if everyone were the same. 

2. i am thankful for tough experiences where you don't know how you're going to get through it. the ones that bring you to tears, and you're overwhelmed. they have given me so much strength and perserverance, and make me realize that i can get through it. it might not be easy, it might not be quick. but it'll be worth it (somehow) in the end.

3. i am thankful for my ability to find the positives in situations. dont get me wrong - i am nottt a ball of sunshine all the time, but i did have a friend tell me that while he is a pretty positive person, i always seem to find a different way to put a positive spin on a situation. instead of not reaching a goal, look at how much better you did today than yesterday. if you're in line at the post office for 25 minutes, you have someone to mail something to, and the money to do it. if it's cold outside, you can feel temperature.

i challenge each of you to do the same. think of three unique things you are thankful for each day, and i promise you, your life will be changed for the better. 

enjoy your day however you choose today - with yourself or your dog, with 20 or 100 people. just be thankful, today and tomorrow. 

i recently was accepted to a program i applied to to be a caregiver volunteer in a house for orphaned and abandoned children in mexico beginning in january. i am very ecstatic, and i instantly thought that i will blog my experience!! i then found my blog i remember starting (and revisited) a few times but not a lot, and read the posts i had about lent! i was very proud, and the opposite of proud at the same time. sometimes when i write, its like something takes over my hands and i type beautiful sentences. other times (now), i cant write a clear thought to save my life. ive struggled at desiring to write through the hard times, and just write. i have a lot going on in my head, and id love to share the thoughts with those who want to read them. 

i am religious. i will have posts that are religious. i will be in a very catholic home for a year (not staying too far from my upbringing). i am not making you read this, and these are my thoughts/views/and opinions. i think long and hard before i choose a topic to write about, especially if its filled with emotion or could be used in a debate. (i always hated the debate units in school. i somehow managed to get sick every time they rolled around! weird.) so read if you want, discuss with me if youre open to it and other views, and enjoy!