Giving Thanks

“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” ~ Elizabeth Gilbert

I've been working on the gratitude again lately.  Really trying to make it a normal part of every day living, instead of finding it when things go off the rails.  And today it hit me, there is really a lot to be thankful for in our lives.

First of all I have made it a mission to be the best mom to these two yahoos...  And that is pretty cool.  They are funny, kind, thoughtful, and honestly going to be the best adults someday.  

Now everyday isn't perfect, and yes, they are still kids with lots of learning left to do, but getting to be a part of their lives is a gift every day.  They're kinda cute too :)

Which leads me to their father...

What can I say about a man who has made it a mission to make me laugh everyday.  Well, almost every day.  Again, it's not perfect, and I'm learning that no marriage ever is, but sometimes you have to go through the bad times to see the good times right in front of you.  

It's a work in progress, and probably always will be, but I know he will always be there through all the good and bad times.  

That's what marriage is all about.

And then there's the things like my family, crazy or not, who are going to be with you good, bad, or ugly.  

And my job, along with the co-workers, who are more like family than anything else.  We can drive each other crazy trying to manage the "Suburban Way" but I don't know what I'd do without them.  Now my corporate comrades are the bomb and make everyday brighter :)

Friends.  What would I do without the people who hold me up, make me laugh, send me text, read my books (and like them), Scandal-live-text with me.  Or Revenge.  Or Criminal Minds.  The list could go on and on, but I honestly don't know what I would do without texting my friends.  It's like a conversation that really never ends.  

And then there's the little things:  creamer in my coffee... gas fireplaces... warm cookies.  The little things we totally take for granted, but are there everyday making our lives a little richer somehow.  

books
iPads
heated seats
running buddies
good advice
chilled white wine
eating out
McDonalds breakfast and Starbucks coffee
pets
slippers
health
Netflix

So.  Much.  To.  Be.  Grateful.  For.

At the end of the day, we just have to send a thank you up to Heaven to the angels watching over us, and not just tomorrow... but every day.  Make it a habit that you start paying attention to what's good in your life instead of what's bad.  Change your perspective and see the goodness around you.

Change your life for the better.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and take the time to say thank you.

1 Question

Today I give you two videos, and I'm sorry if you're on your phone and can't get to them (not sure why that is), but definitely take the time later to find them on your computer.

I don't know when we begin to lose sight of ourselves, but when I watch stuff like this, it reminds me of why I'm here.  It is my job to remind you of the message in both of these videos.

we are enough.

we are perfect just the way we are.

we can find a way to rise above the nasty voice in our head.

I hope you enjoy them, and maybe even watch them a couple times to let the message sink in.

Have a fabulous weekend....

Shake It Off

Yes, I'm in T-Swifty mode today, and I'm not afraid of shouting it from right here in my corner of the web.

Shake it off, shake it off, woo woo hoo!

It's been out for a while, but for some reason I watched the video for the first time today.  And then I watched it again.  Why don't you take a moment and watch it too... I'll wait.

Fun, right?  But the thing is, as I was doing yoga today, the message of the class was to let go of the tension of what's holding you back, and to find peace in just being.  Let go of what's bothering you.

I know... It sounds a little out there, but it really wasn't.  And as I went through the class I found myself astounded at how tense I was in the beginning.  She started off in corpse pose, and I literally couldn't lay still.  My back was tight, my mind raced, and my shoulders were up to my ears (no easy feat, since I was on my back).

And then I came across this video and realized that it's kinda the same message.  

Let it go = Shake It Off

Shake off the haters, the fakers, and even the heart-breakers.  Let them go and don't let them invade your space.  

Yes, it's a stretch (pun intended) to connect Taylor and yoga, but for me it works.  

Yoga class not even necessary to learn this lesson.

And if you liked the video above and we're a fan of the 80's, then you'll love this video even more.  My son kept saying, "Is this for real?  This happened?"

Yes, Blaker, this happened.  I may have even participated in something like this once a long, long time ago in a land far, far away.

Have a Happy Friday!

Roles

What role are you playing in life?  If your life were a sitcom or heaven forbid, a drama, what would your part be?

Are you the dutiful, but wisecracking wife?

Are you the struggling parent trying to keep it all together?

Or are you the one who has the perfect life with a daily dose of humor?

The biggest problem with the roles we play is sometimes it's just that:  we're playing them.  Acting the part, instead of feeling whatever it is we're supposed to be feeling.  Our identity becomes so wrapped up in the role that you lose the part of you that is real.

You following me?

Sometimes we get so stuck in the role we're playing, constantly in character, and we forget the world is going to change, grow, and move on without us.

Motherhood (or one could say parenthood) is the biggest role in many of our lives.  And please don't misunderstand me... that role is the most important role you will ever have.  However, it is all consuming and as the kids get older, the role changes drastically.  That is the space I'm in right now.  I'm still a mom, and will ALWAYS love being a mom, but the role isn't 24/7 like it used to be.  Ten years ago was a lot different than it is now, and I'll admit I was a little unprepared for how quickly it all changed.  I think I loved the role ten years ago because I didn't have to think too much about the rest of life.  It was just all about the kids and what they needed.  

Sure, I found myself resentful sometimes... okay a lot of the time, but I took a lot of pride in it also.  

So I come back to this:  We are not the roles we are playing.  Those roles are a part of us, they they shouldn't define us.  The things that define us are the things that will always be a part of our lives no matter what else changes.  

The hobbies.

The likes and dislikes.

The things we do when no one is around.

Sports.

If you're wandering around wondering what to do, start digging in to see what interests you.  Check out the people in your life who inspire you and find out what they are doing.  Take a class.  Join a club.  Become involved in a cause you believe in.  Volunteer.

You never know what new role will fit till you try it out.  Will it be easy?  Absolutely not.  It will be hard and challenge you, but that is when you figure out who you really are.  

Life is good.

And you are worth the effort.

Happy Tuesday :)