Get GRATEFUL!

I recently wrote a post on my blog, Neen's Notes, about gratefulness. Although I am grateful every day, this is something I do every February to commemorate Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. When I was in high school I found myself trapped in an abusive relationship (you can read the full story in this post). Once I managed to disentangle from it with a lot of family support, I truly understood the importance and meaning of appreciating what is BEAUTIFUL about life.

Often we are here because we're in a panic. Maybe the scale is going in the wrong direction, maybe that favorite pair of pants doesn't fit, maybe the insurance company is being difficult, and maybe family isn't being as supportive as we hoped they might be during this journey. Whatever the worry is, we come here for support. I have always felt thankful to have found this community and fortunate for the advice and kindness I have received over the years.

In the midst of our daily panic and work/family/life stress, it's useful to pause for a peaceful reflective moment and consider something positive. So here's a little exercise that I enjoyed this morning and hopefully you will too! If you're comfortable, use this thread to list four things: A person you are grateful for, an experience you are grateful to have had, an item you are grateful to have, and one that's all your own choice.

My contribution...

Person: This one was the easiest of the three, because it's my husband Joe. He is my best friend, confidant, cheerleader, fellow nerd, lover, and everything in between. The last 8 years of my life have been brighter and more beautiful just by his presence. He's my hero and my partner in all things. I can think of no better way to spend life than with this truly amazing man.

Experience: Singing Carmina Burana with Choral Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra. Our performance came during an unexpected difficult moment in my life. But it was my very first performance at the Kennedy Center and one of the most amazing things I have ever felt. I was beyond happy that my parents and in-laws were able to come to the performance and especially that my mother-in-law got to see me sing on stage before she passed away. I still get chills when I remember the sheer power of those opening notes in O, Fortuna!

Item: My photographs. Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a penchant for taking pictures. I always, always, always have a camera. It's a way of having tangible memories and I love the stories that come from simply seeing smiling faces or beautiful places I have been. Here's one of my favorite recent ones from the Military Bowl. It was the very first time I got to see my alma mater in a football game because I was a distance student and never lived in San Jose during graduate school. It was so exciting to meet other alumni, sing the fight song, and see our Spartans win! I have no idea who this man was, but we're totally friends forever now:

Wildcard: My job. I was unbelievably lucky. I moved to this city without a job and never even know that a Shakespeare library existed. I applied for a job here thinking that I didn't stand a chance without a graduate degree, but something clicked and I found myself employed within two weeks of our move! For the last five years I have had the fortune to learn new things about early modern studies every day, eat lunch with a an outrageously fun group of people every day, meet Shakespearean actors (even Patrick Stewart!!!!), and be a part of the editorial committee that publishes our quarterly journal and print/online editions of Shakespeare's plays. It really was the world's luckiest find and I am so, so happy to be here.

Alright friends, what are YOU grateful for today?

I can't do grateful without prefacing it with a bit o' bitter. I'll censor the "buts".

Persons:    My mother, even though censored, daughter, bless her heart censored, and son--oy vey censored. They are alive. They beat the odds in many ways. That's amazing, and I'm grateful.

Experience:    Living in the wilds of the North Cascades. It was awful and insane and stupendous, and it made me who I am. hmm...-- censored.

Item:    I get a whole house all to myself. I don't own it, but I have privacy, peace, quiet, and I control the remote.

Other:    I did get to practice the profession I loved, although censored. 

Great Post, Neen!

Person: My DH and children.  My DH, who is my outright advocate and cheerleader in this whole wls adventure, although he didn't start out that way. My DS (son, not the surgery), who has grown into an interesting, funny, wholly individual person. My DD, whose curiosity and sense of fun always brighten my day.

Pets: Lola the wonder pug, for being the funny little clown who knows how to get a laugh every time. Roger the tubby tabby, for winning over DH's heart and utterly adoring him. And Wing, the volunteer dove, for being such a sweet and gentle pet. I wasn't much of a bird person until she showed up in the yard.

Experience: I've got a bunch, but I'll go with the transformative power of packing what would fit in the car and moving across country, all without knowing how it might turn out. Driving across the Continental Divide was pretty cool, too.

Item: My placeholder ring that DH bought me when my wedding ring got too big but I wasn't done losing so wasn't ready to get it sized.

Wildcard: My job is ending at the end of next month. A lot of us are wondering what we will do, me included, but without this happening, who knows how many more years I would spend wondering what else I could do. Now I'll have the opportunity to find out.

Here is what I'm thankful for: persons my hubby who is my best friend and main cheerleader. He has loved me when I was thin like when we first met and when I was barely able to walk from my ra and every point in between. He has held me when I have cried from the pain and constantly tells me I can do anything I set my mind to. Both my boys make me thankful everyday. They are both in college and growing up to be wonderful young men. My youngest who has epilepsy has taught me that with hard work you can achieve anything. Experience would have to be my surgery. It has shown me that I can be healthy,fit and strong even at age 53. The best is yet to come I believe! Item would be the ring my husband gave me at Christmas which had been his Grandmothers wedding ring. Because she meant a lot to him her ring is special to me. Plus it is holding my own ring in place right now!Other I am thankful for each and every one of you and for the way we encourage and lift each other up every dau. You make this ournEy much easier! Thanks!!

Um.... Uh.... Hmmm. It has been a VERY difficult few weeks in my life recently... and I know this is going to be in stark contrast to what most people will post, but my life is not very "typical" in any sense of the word.

Person: right now it would have to be my therapist for giving me a safe place to just "be" however I need to be

Experience: my international travels (and the pictorial reminders, although I am not a good photographer); many times when I need to find an inner peace, I can recall some of my travel experiences like watching the sun set while cruising down the Nile (and feeling a cool breeze for the first time in two 100+ degree days), enjoying a cold drink in a quiet, shady garden on the island of Capri overlooking the beautiful blue water,  etc.

Item: my home; it is larger than one person and one or two dogs need, but it has many features that I love, and it is comfortable

Wilcard: right now, that would be my Chow puppy; the house is missing something without a Scottie for more than 2 days for the first time since 1985 (and the first time except 1983-1985 since 1974), so I am very grateful to have little Gus

Lora

I am glad you have a nice therapist and Gus to help you through your rough time. Sometimes being able to go home and give the dog a cuddle is the most calming thing in the world to me. Hope things are better soon!

And that scene on the Nile sounds just amazing.