In honor of Thanksgiving…..

I believe Thanksgiving is much like Valentine’s day.  Why only one day do we need to reflect on being thankful?  Being thankful should be a lifestyle.  What a great gift to pass on to your future generations (did I mention it’s free?)!  In our house we aren’t rich and life hasn’t always been smooth, however, we are always thankful for what we DO have.  Because of this, my children are some of the most giving children I know (I’m not just bragging I promise).  There is always someone in a worse position!

You may have a tough pregnancy (Oh, can I tell you about that), you may be struggling to get pregnant, or you may  have a sick child.  There is always something to be thankful for.  You will find when you start with the little things (yes, as simple as a dry, warm house), the bigger things come to mind.  Your attitude and heart are changed.

I dare you to ponder those things you are thankful for with a scowl on your face.  Can you do it?  I thought not:)  Go, pass on the attitude of gratitude to those around you, especially that one person who always irks you.

I am a Mad Men lover. I have been catching up online and recently watched the episode where Betty has the new baby. I am reminded what having children used to be like. I hear the stories, however, it never seems real because I wasn’t alive back then. It was a “condition”, they wore huge tents, they only guessed at the sex, and fathers weren’t involved. Now we have 3D ultra sounds, celebrate our womanly curves, and the fathers are right next to us hopefully giving encouragement. I am constantly amazed at technology! This reality wasn’t very long ago,and to see how far pregnancy has come. I watched this episode with a heart of gratitude. It wasn’t long ago NAIT was unknown. My condition wasn’t discovered until the mid 90’s and even then doctors weren’t sure how to treat it. If I had been just 10 years older, I would only have one baby instead of my magnificent 4. Every time I am reminded of this, tears come to my eyes.

If you are pregnant, know someone who is, or just had your baby, ponder this. Have a heart full of gratitude that medicine has come so far, and daddies are now included. Oh, and there are some really hot maternity clothing.

This has been one of those crazy weeks that leave you doubting your sanity and ability to juggle all the balls at the same time.  I had some extra kids, trying new parenting techniques from Love and Logic, and just the usual busy we have going on with 3 young ones (the oldest is getting ready for kindergarten!), a business, and a household (which reminds me, i really need to get my kitchen floor clean!  tomorrow??).  There have not been many moments to sit and breath.  Running with no headphones provides me those small moments of peace i am desperate for.  i went for my run yesterday morning as usual.  As i was chugging along (the joy of choosing a hilly route!)  All of a sudden i saw an older woman i would guess mid fifties running toward me.  She had short, just below the ears curly blond/gray hair.  She had on black spandex shorts with a turquoise tank and listening to some headphones (and in great shape i might add).  i can see her so clearly!  She looked at me with a big grin and enthusiastically said “You go girl!!”  This was no usual passing.  Usually i can see someone coming because i keep my eyes up looking at the landmarks.  i like to play mind games with myself so i don’t stop when it gets hard.  Usually i get a wave, a smile, or many times a quick hi.  After this woman passed my whole back began to tingle.  It started at the base of my spine and went all the way to the top of my head (all through my chakras if you believe in them).  In all of my experiences with the spiritual world, i have never before had this intense of a physical response.  i think i was just encouraged by an angel!

Yesterday was Father’s day. We all have this idealistic view of what is should be – barbeque’s, family, and throw some sports in there. So what happens when u end up at Chuckie Cheese with the in-laws and toss in a nice fight with the hubby? We had a great day! haha

How can we redeem those one day “holidays” like Mother’s day, Father’s day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July (all those holidays we “celebrate” something)? It’s one day we are to honor someone, our country, or just to be thankful. This has always struck me as funny, one day. One day! Don’t we have 365 (ok maybe a leap year would change that)? Don’t you want to honor daddy all year (especially when that one day turns sour)? Don’t you as a mommy want to be honored all year around? i know i am asking a lot. There are those days when your house is spotless and your family doesn’t notice, in fact, they make another huge mess and you start crying as you clean it up (by the way, no one notices you are even crying). i have had those days too and boy do i just want to curl up in my bed with a book and leave the disaster to a HAZMAT crew. Stick with me on this idea though. How much would your life change if you made every day a day of Thanksgiving? What if everyday you were thankful for your freedom this great country has given you? What if everyday you were thankful for your spouse/significant other? What if you woke up every day thankful for the honor to just breath and see another day? How much would your life change?

i know you are asking yourself where do i start? Thankfully, it’s free (we all know how much gas costs), and you don’t even have to take extra time (you can even mulitask on this one). First and foremost, you have to be consious of your thoughts. Then when they start going negative, start thinking about things you are grateful for. Even if its just the fact you have a roof over your head and food in your belly that’s ok. Everyone has to start somewhere. If you are feeling ambitous, start a journal. When something comes to mind you are thankful for, write it down. i have done this before and those low times when i can’t form a single nice thought, i read what i had written before and my mood lightens.

For me, this is a soapbox subject. What would our world be like with people being grateful? For me personally, i never thought i would be in the place i am. When i was 17 i tried to committ suicide and its only by the grace of God i get to still be on this earth. Having a heart full of gratitude has changed everything in my life. In those moments when i just want to curl into a ball and cry my worries away, being thankful for the simplist of things keeps me from going crazy.