November 6th: I am thankful for weekends spent with family and furries. Even if it is just lounging around the house in our jammies - it is always fun.
November 7th: I am thankful for HunkaHubby's day off. He finally has a day off to spend with us - and we are all thankful.
November 8th: I am thankful for milestones reached at a job that hopes to make a difference in the lives of many animals.
November 9th: I am thankful for giggle girls and smiley boys, best friends who are always there for you, and marriages that last (Michelle & Francisco AND Dad & Susanne! Happy Anniversary!)
November 10th: I am thankful for warmer weather and the ability for lives to change when you never thought it was possible.
What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Month of Thanksgiving - November 5th
I've mentioned that the past year has been rough for many reasons. Over this year I've renewed old friendships and drifted away from others (and drifted back again). I've also had a lot of eye-opening and brain-exploding experiences.
I grew up in church. I had a few people in the rough high-school/young adult years that I would turn to for spiritual advice or questions when I didn't understand something I read. Over the past year - I've found that more than one of those people no longer attend church and struggle to even believe. This turned my world upside down. I didn't know what to think or what to feel. These people who were my "pillars" - no longer believed what they had for so long. Did it make me stop believing? No. But it has made for some great conversations!
On the opposite side, there have been a few people who were NOT raised in church and who used to scoff at the idea of religion of any form who are now attending church and having spiritual conversations with me. I think this is wonderful, but it is surreal to me.
It is ALL blowing my mind.
But then I realize how thankful I am that God has given me the gift of listening without judging. I didn't always have this gift - and sometimes still slip into wanting to close my mind to what I am hearing. But through all of these experiences, I have learned a lot about who I am. I LOVE having conversations with people. And it doesn't matter if we disagree - what matters is that we are willing to respect each others' opinions.
As a young child through a teenager - my Dad and I would always debate issues. Politics, religion, social issues . . . he always had a strong opinion - and many times, my opinion differed from his. We would have these great big conversations, arguing our points, disagreeing, but in the end - we never had hard feelings toward each other. We loved and respected each other and could laugh at agreeing to disagree. I wish that everyone could be like that. There would be a lot less tension and a lot more willingness to work together for the common good.
We all have to fight prejudice every day in some part of our lives. Often - we have to fight our own inner prejudices. I know I do. But I have realized one major thing . . . it doesn't matter if you agree with someone, their beliefs, their lifestyle, their religion . . . what matters is listening . . . respect . . . and LOVE. We are commanded to love ALL - not just those who share our beliefs.
So today - I am thankful for the great diversity of people in this world. I am thankful that God gave me the gift of listening, and that he gave us the Greatest Example of Love.
Be thankful for our differences today . . . and strive to listen without judging, and love with everything in your being.
I grew up in church. I had a few people in the rough high-school/young adult years that I would turn to for spiritual advice or questions when I didn't understand something I read. Over the past year - I've found that more than one of those people no longer attend church and struggle to even believe. This turned my world upside down. I didn't know what to think or what to feel. These people who were my "pillars" - no longer believed what they had for so long. Did it make me stop believing? No. But it has made for some great conversations!
On the opposite side, there have been a few people who were NOT raised in church and who used to scoff at the idea of religion of any form who are now attending church and having spiritual conversations with me. I think this is wonderful, but it is surreal to me.
It is ALL blowing my mind.
But then I realize how thankful I am that God has given me the gift of listening without judging. I didn't always have this gift - and sometimes still slip into wanting to close my mind to what I am hearing. But through all of these experiences, I have learned a lot about who I am. I LOVE having conversations with people. And it doesn't matter if we disagree - what matters is that we are willing to respect each others' opinions.
As a young child through a teenager - my Dad and I would always debate issues. Politics, religion, social issues . . . he always had a strong opinion - and many times, my opinion differed from his. We would have these great big conversations, arguing our points, disagreeing, but in the end - we never had hard feelings toward each other. We loved and respected each other and could laugh at agreeing to disagree. I wish that everyone could be like that. There would be a lot less tension and a lot more willingness to work together for the common good.
We all have to fight prejudice every day in some part of our lives. Often - we have to fight our own inner prejudices. I know I do. But I have realized one major thing . . . it doesn't matter if you agree with someone, their beliefs, their lifestyle, their religion . . . what matters is listening . . . respect . . . and LOVE. We are commanded to love ALL - not just those who share our beliefs.
So today - I am thankful for the great diversity of people in this world. I am thankful that God gave me the gift of listening, and that he gave us the Greatest Example of Love.
Be thankful for our differences today . . . and strive to listen without judging, and love with everything in your being.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Month of Thanksgiving - November 4th
Okay - this one is going to be controversial. Everyone always complains about how holiday merchandise comes out sooner and sooner every year. My aunt always said that people seem to miss Thanksgiving because it is overshadowed by Christmas. Well - because I have decided to make ALL of November Thanksgiving - I think it is okay for me to be listening to . . . CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!
Yes, today I am thankful for Christmas music and this entire holiday season. Christmas music is so uplifting and it makes me happy and brings back so many wonderful memories. Last Christmas wasn't so fun - and I am so thankful for this Christmas and the opportunity to make it so much better.
Some of my favorite Christmas songs are:
Oh - who am I kidding? I LOVE IT ALL!!!!
So - I apologize Auntie Linda . . . but I'm listening to Christmas music!!!
What are you thankful for today?
Yes, today I am thankful for Christmas music and this entire holiday season. Christmas music is so uplifting and it makes me happy and brings back so many wonderful memories. Last Christmas wasn't so fun - and I am so thankful for this Christmas and the opportunity to make it so much better.
Some of my favorite Christmas songs are:
- Oh Holy Night
- Stille Nacht by Manheim Steamroller
- Strange Way to Save the World
- Breath of Heaven (and pretty much ALL Amy Grant Christmas music)
- Sleigh Ride
- Silver Bells
- Pretty much all Trans-siberian Orchestra music
- The Bell Carol
Oh - who am I kidding? I LOVE IT ALL!!!!
So - I apologize Auntie Linda . . . but I'm listening to Christmas music!!!
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Month of thanksgiving - November 3rd
Today I am thankful that I have an understanding boss. The past year has been pretty crazy for me, I've had to be off work for kid issues, I've been an emotional mess, my health is kind of 'eh' and I've had to be off for testing, etc. But he is super supportive of me and that makes me want to work that much harder.
So I am thankful that I have a good paying job and an understanding boss!!!! :-)
So I am thankful that I have a good paying job and an understanding boss!!!! :-)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Month of Thanksgiving
Several Facebook friends challenged others to use the WHOLE month of November to find things to be thankful for. So - because I just saw this - I have to catch up from yesterday and then add today.
1. I am thankful that I know what unconditional love is.
2. I am thankful for pets who show me that unconditional love every day. I've never seen it said better than the video attached below.
1. I am thankful that I know what unconditional love is.
2. I am thankful for pets who show me that unconditional love every day. I've never seen it said better than the video attached below.
I challenge you to find something to be thankful for EVERY DAY.
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