I’m Thankful For . . .

I’m Thankful For . . .

(updated November 23, 2011)

~ my intelligent, dedicated, beautiful daughter . . . she continues to amaze me every single day.   To say I’m proud of the young woman she’s become is an understatement.

~ my selfless mother . . . her optimism is my anchor and I take her for granted way too much.

~ my resourceful brother . . . I’ve been so proud of him since literally day one of his life – that will never change.  

~ my infinitely super smart, adorably cute niece.  I love her like my own – I ache for her when I encounter other little ones her age. We are so blessed to have her as an addition to our family.

~ my savvy sister-in-law . . . a treasured friend of mine for always and a continued inspiration for my daughter.  Her press-on perseverance is unbelievable and rare.

~ my loyal friends – who I’ve known for 1, 4, 20, or 30 years . . . I love them more than any of them are aware.

~ the memories of the almost 15 years I shared with my father . . . his charisma, fierce love, and endearing humor lives on in my heart forever.

~ blue skies, clear aqua oceans, hot sand, bright orange leaves, and all other beautiful nature God blesses us with.  I try to stop all thinking for a moment when I encounter something beautiful outside.

~ God’s sense of humor when he created zebras’ stripes, giraffes’ long necks,  donkeys’ cross-tattooed backs, and pink flamingos’ color.

~ my rewarding teaching career . . . it’s never the same day twice, and I have the best clients in the world!  You know you have the best job in the world when it never feels like work.

~ my students . . . they always give me something to smile about no matter what.

~ my colleagues . . . I learn and laugh with them every day.

~ laughing spells when I can’t stop!!!

~ my good health and ability to workout freely.

~ the resources to fill my refrigerator with nutritious food every week.

~ all things cherry.

~ all things mini.

~ dance.  I’m a lifelong dancer – whether I’m dancing in the dark or with the one I love.

~ books and more books . . . and the infinite gifts given to us when we read.

~ music . . . this world would be a very sad place without it.  I get goosebumps very easily when I hear touching music.

~ the ability to get goosebumps!

~ sharing a smile

~ the skill to express myself through writing.

~ forgiveness, redemption and TRUST.

~ mini-marshmallows and blueberries . . . fat free treats that glide so easily down my throat.

~ gushy movies like Serendipity and roll-off-the couch funny sitcoms like Modern Family.

~ Grading Girl! . . . GG is over two years-old and I’m still having a blast!!!

~ the help I was blessed with in regards to this site:  Brian Gardner for getting this uber user-friendly WordPress site off the ground and Darryl Markette of Darryl Markette Music (without whom GG would not exist!) for giving his exciting ideas, creative design, and endearing encouragement he offered when he helped get GG out of our heads and on to the screen!  

Most of all ›

~ the gift to be able to afford the opportunity to sit and write this blog about this blessed life God gives . . .

I could go on and on . . . I’m thankful for that abundance in itself!!!

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What Have You Learned?

There’s a line in the song by Michael Franti and Spearhead, Say Hey (I Love You), that originally inspired me to write this list:  “Seems like everywhere I go, the more I see the less I know.”

We’re learning every day whether it’s a lesson in the classroom or a hard-to-swallow life lesson.  There are so many uncertain things in life and circumstances surrounding us constantly change that I thought I’d take inventory of those things of which I’m certain:

What I’ve Learned in Life So Far

~ Timing is everything.  Think about it – this applies to all aspects of life.  It all comes down to this.

~ You can never have too many friends.  Moreover, having friends of different interests, age groups, and circles keeps you well-rounded.

~ You can never love your family too much.  I also happen to believe you can never say I love you too much but I think this has may have caused me trouble in the past.

~ It’s only spoiling your children when you give something you don’t want to give them but do anyway.

~ A key to satisfaction is to find a career that doesn’t feel like work.  It is then that you can be certain you are in the right field.  I am!  Teaching has NEVER felt like work to me.  I can confidentally say this because I worked in the business sector prior to teaching – it absolutely felt like work then.

~ This sounds cliche but action truly does speak louder than words (written or spoken).  This brings to mind a quotation I recently read, If a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy him asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.  This inspired me to think of a great idea for a friend!!

~ Age is a relative number.

~ Go for it!  Life is too short not to.  We create our own lives.

~ Exercise is as good for the soul as it is for the body.

~ This world would be a bleak, sad place without music.

~ You should try at least one new recipe every week.  If you don’t cook, you should eat at least one new dish every week. Variety is a spice in the kitchen.

~ Sometimes you need to make cookie dough just to eat the dough.

~ It’s okay to change your mind.

~ You can never read too many books or see too many movies.  This keeps you cultured, educated and empathetic.

~ Smile, even when you don’t feel like it.  The act itself will make you happier.

~ Writing things down is a magical trick.  Things are much more likely to happen when we write them down.  Goals, daily to-do lists, messages, lists like this . . . write ‘em down, write ‘em down.

~ Dancing or running in the rain is very liberating.

~ Never speak ill about someone and you’ll never have to whisper. 

~ Cleaning out/paring down closets transfers to ’cleaning out’ your life.  The important things you lost are found and the unimportant things are discarded.

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