Be thankful for what I have

I am thankful that I have a beautiful healthy daughter. I am thankful for the cheap rent I pay because my father in-law owns the house and he lets us live there practically for free. I am thankful for my wife who puts up with my crazy personality and accepts me for who I am. I am thankful for people who have the ability to forgive, we all do things we are not proud of sometimes and forgiveness goes a long way. I am thankful that my truck is paid off. I am thankful for my education even though it cost me an arm and a leg. I am thankful for my job, in fact I sort of have 3, some people have none. I am thankful for my parents who are still healthy and can help watch my daughter when I need them to. I am thankful for opportunities that have come my way and the opportunities yet to come. I am thankful for true friends even though I only have a few. I am thankful for my health and my mobility. I am thankful to have a job that I love and is related to my field of study. I am thankful for having a good boss at work. I am thankful for people who accept me for who I am.

I am so thankful for all the things, the meaningful work, the education and the possibility of a beautiful farm, the good nature of Nick, the safety of our animals, the kindness of Bill, the caring I have for Nathan, all the places there are to go in the world, and the magnificence of nature. I wish to work hard/diligently today and show my appreciation.

that its 69 degrees outside and it’s still light at 9 p.m.
that there is the southern oregon coast to move to
that i’ve paid off my car
that i’m paying off my credit card debt and learning to live within my means
that at 44 i still feel young
that i have good real estate transactions this month
that i’m considering being a hypnotherapist or an organic farmer of both
that in my solitude i am not bored
that the air is still fresh in the city of portland
that i am willing to go to yoga or other exercise class
that someone came by to mow the jungle lawn today.

Well, hehe, I’m not sure if it’s just a stage of mediocrity that I’ve hit, or if in reality I have finally accomplished a certain level of thankfulness for what I ALREADY have, whether it be something to be extremely proud of, or not…

I suppose that at the end, it gives you a sense of internal peace to know that if you don’t accomplish certain things, that you can still be happy with what you already have.

I’m glad that I stopped complaining so much, life is SO much better not complaining about the things that are not going good, now, I focus on the things that I CAN change, and incredibly, with this new set of mind, I actually DO accomplish more… Therefore, having more to be thankful for.

I could never leave behind the strength and love that God gave me to realize the happiness that I was missing for not being thankful for the wonderful things that he had already given me.

For all the ones trying to accomplish this, NEVER lose hope, the light comes when you less expect it. It’s awesome to open your eyes one day and actually SEE that everything around you is SO beautiful, you won’t even believe that you couldn’t see it before.

Most of the time, I dont think about what I have/own/love. I never thought about being thankful for some things. I do not have too much. I have a car that always has something wrong, but I need to be thankful that I even have one, and that its nice :) I need to be thankful for my family, even if they are not in the same state as me.. Some people dont have family. I need to be thankful for my home, even though it is for a low income family. I need to be thankful for my low paying job, at least I have one, and there is a lot of time for moving on whenever. I just need to be thankful.. for everything except enemies

seeing a movie with nick
the simple duck and artichoke dinner for christmas
the fun evening at alison’s last night
teeth whiteners
all the bills that were paid this month
the gifts i purchased for the boys and for friends
the thank you i got from my grandmother because we sent her a check
the books i have read recently
the information i have received from the nta program
the herbs and supplements that make me feel better
the fact that my body doesn’t ache
that nate got to go to new york for christmas
friends and family
that i can sell oscar’s condos
that the pets are happy and well
that jannette adopted back her cat
that patricia is a strong good woman
that michael and i are going on another lunch date
that i went for a walk in the snow with nick and the dogs today on mt. tabor
that nick and i are a good team
that i have cool stuff to sell on cl
that i got to meet with two friends from grade school this last weekend
that i have a new life in front of me
that josh found 11th st.
that i get to take things back to target tomorrow
that nick got his brakes fixed
that exercise makes me feel better
that patricia has good things in her life like family and friends and kitties and a house and a mother who helps her out financially.
that i don’t ever have to be stressed, just productive, which i already am.
that liz got her loan
that my credit is still good
that i can make all my payments on time
that my friends and family will like my next man and he will be a positive part of all our lives
that i have the ability to help people in the way that i am good at
that i know my best is a really simple ability to extend myself to assist and encourage others, to do nice things for them.
that nathan is a good, sweet guy

And I try – on a daily basis, everytime I start to get depressed about having to drop my boys off at my MIL’s, or when work sucks, like it always does, I try. I know I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I own my own home and have a job that affords me to do so. But when I am at the point that it isn’t what I want I have to consciously remind myself I need to be thankful. I want to be a SAHM. But I need to be thankful. I want to live in Canada. But I need to be thankful. There are a lot of people out there that don’t have what I have…but it’s hard because on the flip side there are just as many that have more and don’t deserve it…So I remind myself to be thankful.

I find the best way to do this is with a daily prayer.

This year has taken so many great twists and turns. i reached my main goals: finish college, find a job related to my career, go to Europe, fall in love with a great man, move out of my parents house. Everything fell into place, finally. I am so thankful and I consider myself to be real lucky, because I am surrounded by good things, good people and good vibe. I feel I have grown. I hope I never forget how great this feels

I can look at my child endlessly as he sleeps. One day he won’t sleep so peacefully.