The attitude of gratitude

Those of you that follow me on facebook know that I have been observing the holiday of giving thanks by publicly announcing random things that I'm thankful for. They get a little silly-- I'm thankful for pillows and my stupid mean cat, etc. Originally I thought that everyone is thankful for their family, their friends, boyfriend or girlfriend, pets, health and having a job. That's the big stuff that is obvious and easy to think of. My idea was to recognize little things so people could take a step back and appreciate the little things in life when all the big things seem to be going wrong.

However I ran across a picture on Pinterest (my new favorite website. It's highly addictive, yet educational!-- but that's another blog topic) yesterday that really makes the aforementioned "big things" kind of small. I would like all of you to take a good look at it and realize just how lucky you are to have your basic needs met. If it's raining, snowing or a little windy, you get to go in a nearby building that's most likely heated and air conditioned. At night you sleep in a bed with not only one pillow, but probably several blankets. On a mattress. When you're hungry, you go to the kitchen, store, or out to eat to fill your craving. You probably aren't even really hungry-- you are probably just bored so you eat crap that's not even nourishing.

Friends, my point is that we are ALL very blessed. No matter how much debt we have or how little money we make. No matter that we got into a fight with a loved one or ran out of toothpaste this morning. If our biggest problem of the day is deciding which pair of pants to put on, remember to look at it from a different angle-- we HAVE clothes, shelter and plenty of food. In fact, I'm listening a co-worker right now discuss how many turkeys her friend is making and that her mother always made 20 pounds of potatoes. That's incredible! We take that stuff for granted and if we don't get it, we complain and mope. Because of our blessings, we should help those that don't have these things. It's our duty as people to help others that are going without.

Wherever you're going this Thanksgiving and with whomever you're spending it -- remember to really be THANKFUL, APPRECIATIVE and GRATEFUL.

Sounds like someone has a case of the Sundays

In the movie "Office Space." the phrase, 'sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays' is used to describe someone who's having a bad day and/or seems to be going through weekend withdrawl. I can relate most Mondays, but my real "sickness" is on Sunday evenings.

Since I left college, I have always sort of hated Sunday evenings. The weekend is over, the work week starts the next morning, and I always find myself wishing there were more hours in the weekend or whining about how three day weekends should be permanently implemented. I also take a look at the direction my life is headed. Currently, I live with my mother, which isn't a bad gig, but I don't know many that do that. There is also something to be said for total independence at 26 years old: it's underrated. Additionally, my waistline has suffered tremendously at the hand of my mother's hearty midwestern cooking. Mashed potatoes and gravy, anyone?

Anyway, back to my Sundays. It's a big "if/then" time for me. I mull over the hypothetical outcomes different decisions would have given  me. What if I went to grad school sooner? What if I stayed in North Carolina? What if I never moved to North Carolina in the first place? The fact of the matter is, I am where I am for a reason. (For the record, I hate the phrase "it is what it is." I think it's the most frustrating saying ever.) Now I have to figure out a way to do something bigger with my life. I volunteer, I go to a great church, I have an awesome family and boyfriend, I work with fairly nice people at a local affiliate of a national non-profit. Life is pretty dang good. But, I feel like I could be doing more: more projects around my house, giving back to the community more, etc. Does anyone else feel like what you're doing isn't enough? IS this something that will ever go away?

I am restless for the next step. Is it grad school? A big move? Friends and family, guidance and encouragement is always appreciated. Until then, I'll just have to deal with my mean case of the Sundays!