So I dont know what is wrong with me, but I have been struggling lately to feel any sort of thankfulness. Before I get myself in trouble, let me preface this with a huge thankful for my family especially my mom for all the help and support with Reed and with my "imbalances" in general. But I seem to be in a glass half empty funk. I have been think about this for the past couple weeks, but part of me would just like to skip over this whole holiday routine and get on with 2009. Maybe part of this blog entry is to get myself actually thinking about all there is to be thankful for.
Every year my mom put up a giant paper tablet (kinda like the elementary school teachers used to have...) in the hallway and everyone gets to write down what they are thankful for. I have walked past it several times this year, looked at it and just shook my head. I know I have a million things to be thankful for, but I am just so frustrated with current circumstances that I have been walking around as cynical as ever... And we all know how shocking that must be.
Last year faced with all of the stresses of being a new single parent and all that goes with it, my Thanksgiving list was so very different than years past, much more detailed and kinda grown up, you could even call it "enlightened." Right around this time last year, I started having health problems that ended me up in the hospital in a fight for my life. It was a scary week or two (I dont really remember) as they used me as a human pin cushion, ran test after test and pumped someone elses blood into me. I was bruised and sliced up all over and had lost about 15 pounds, but when I was released Dec 5th, I was so glad to be going home. My world was a different place and all of the sudden my thanksgiving list was even longer than before. Although by then Thanksgiving had passed and we were deep in the throws of the Christmas routine.
So I guess my question is:
Why is it that last year when I was walking through what many would consider a hellish year, was I more thankful than ever and why is it that this year, which has been relatively calm (**Emphasis on relative) am I so lacking a thankful spirit? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Why is it when things are good or at least not bad, we want different? But when things are awful, everything around you becomes a blessing?
I guess the answer is humility or lack thereof. Now that I have written this, I realize how very telling it is about what it takes to make me/keep me humble. I have trouble keeping proper perspective when things are status quo. So maybe I will have to take a little more time and really work on a thankful list. Ill have to get back to yall.
9 years ago
4 comments:
The funny thing is that is exactly how i felt this year.
I love reading your blog because you seem to sum up things that are on my mind. I went to pray not too long ago and just didn't have anything to say thank you for. I really tried and couldn't think of anything besides my kids. Not too long after that I was reading in the scriptures and was reading about how the Nephites didn't thank the Lord for their riches. I thought- if he blessed me with riches you better believe I would say thank you. It dawned on me and my attitude passed and now I can think of so many things I am thankful for. Life is such a cycle. I am thankful for your blog!
I think we all tend to be a little like the Nephites. When things are good, and calm, we start to take it for grantid. Then, when the world comes crashing down around us,and we are brought to our knees, we are finally gratefull for all the little things that make life barable.
I think you are doing a GREAT job at staying positive, you just don't give yourself enought credit! Terriaki(no spelling bee champ) Kitchen was kickin'!
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