Be Thankful
We all sit around this time of year, trying to make promises to ourselves in the form of resolutions.
"I'll lose weight."
"I'll work out more."
"I'll spend more time doing this or that."
I realized this year as my brain turned from turkey, stuffing, and things I wanted to do in 2008 but didn't, to egg whites, salad and things I want to do in 2009 that I was going about it all wrong. Now wasn't the time to try to make drastic changes and promises. Now was the time to be thankful.
To be thankful for what we have, and not the material crap. For having our Health - a good friend of our family is in hospice right now fighting a losing battle with cancer that has spread to his lymph system, bones, and just about everything else in his body. And what did he say when I went to see him in the hospital? He started cracking jokes and telling me about the nurses and just generally trying to be positive. BTW - if you can spare a prayer, I'd appreciate it.
For having somewhere to live - When I got the job I'm in now, I realized my commute was going to be 1.5 hours each way. So we put the house on the market and tried to sell it. Then the market went into the toilet and we were stuck. I'm still stuck and we probably won't sell until the kids are out of school. But the fact still remains - I HAVE A HOUSE. I have somewhere warm to go home to at the end of the day and spend some precious time with my family.
For being employed - I can say something a lot of people can't say. I have a Job. Not only do I have a job, but I have a job that I not only like, but love. I enjoy coming to work for the challenges and experiences I get on a daily basis. I am fortunate enough to have a job where I can suddenly look up and realize it's already 4:30 and I have no idea where the day went because I was so busy.
For being loved - by so many people that sometimes it makes me catch my breath to know how many people are looking out for me and care about my well being and that of my family. Family is not always blood related either. I am lucky enough to have friends that are family and that think of me the same way.
For having an outlet - finally I am lucky enough to be able to write this all out. This blog is for me and I enjoy reading some of the ravings and some of the poignant entries to see what my life has been like for the past little while. It also gives me a thrill to know that people do read my stuff, and some even become brave enough to comment or to venture an opinion. I get a thrill when someone does that because it gives me an excuse to talk even more about what is important to me. I've come across some blogs of people who are now doing it for profit and I can't help but notice how contrived they tend to sound or formulaic in their postings.
For finding people - I have been lucky enough through good fortune and good luck to start finding internet friends that I enjoy interacting with. Blogs of people I've made comments on and have in turn commented on mine and have had emailed me and had offline discussions. This is what life is all about - finding and making connections with people of various different levels.
I think that is what I am most thankful for in some ways. I've felt a little lonely at times, mostly because I'm trying to do to much with too little time. I've been carving out time to blog and time to spend with the kids and as I write this, I realize that the thing that I'm skimping on is time with my wife - sorry Honey.
So here's my only resolution for 2009 - to enhance, improve, and cherish the relationships I have and that I will make. Starting with Fae.
(see, this is why I write, to come to conclusions I normally wouldn't have. 
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