Friday, November 29, 2013

A Day of Thanks, A Day Late

I'm starting this post at 11:43 p.m. Thanksgiving night, so know that my intentions were good on getting this post up for Thanksgiving. Then again, I don't think that we need one day in particular to share what we're thankful for. I do think Thanksgiving tends to remind us though of all that we have to be thankful for.

This year has not been the easiest for me. I thought about that a lot today. I was at work and stewing on the fact that I had to work Thanksgiving and that I'm going to have to work Christmas and that I'm going to have to work New Years. And then I stewed some more and started thinking that no one else in the department has to work all three holidays. But I stopped for a second and thought to myself that it was actually a pleasant day at work today, between friends, we made the most out of being at work on Thanksgiving and there were lots of laughs and good company, and in the end, I'm actually very fortunate to have a job.

It's not always as easy as that. And I'm certainly not trying to be dismissive of a bad situation by saying "just make it positive and it all goes away!" Because it doesn't for the most part. There are certain things in life that just suck. Personally, I just need LESS suck in my life lately because there's been a whole lot of it this year and much of it (too much) has been out of my control.

For me, it's always been  easy to get wrapped up in what is out of my control and to try to make it in my control. This year has been a huge lesson in "CHRIS YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO CONTROL THE WORLD." Looking back on things today and taking count of my life as it is, I find though that there are so many things right there in front of me that I too often don't see...things that are staring me in the face, that I have to be thankful for. Wonderful things. And when I can tell the negative to take a hike for a second, those things are all so wonderful to enjoy.

Things like this. Sitting down with my blog. A constant in my life for the last seven years. Something I've lost touch with quite a bit in the last year. It's amazing how much of an extension of myself this blog has become over those years. It's an outlet for me, it's a place where I can talk about things both personal and about the things like books and movies and art that make me most happy in life, and most important, it's the place where I've made so many amazing connections that I will cherish forever and keep with me always.

I'm so thankful for those connections. For the people I've met through blogging. For the comments that make me smile, make me think, challenge me. For the posts from my fellow bloggers that do the same and touch my heart and welcome me in. I'm so thankful for everyone that this post might reach. Each and every one of those people have done more for me than they know.

And I'm thankful for my family. The holidays this year are very different! Not only am I moved out of my mom's house, but this year, my sister has as well, so I know it's going to be a big adjustment for my mom this year. But I know how we are and our family will always remain close and I don't think it will be much different than it ever has. I'm lucky to be in a family like that.

I guess the point of this post is just to say thank you life for the GOOD that's easily looked over, especially in a year of not so good. May the good continue though, not just for me, but for all of you as well :) Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and for those of you not in the US, hope you had a good Thursday ;) And hope you all have a wonderful weekend coming up!

14 comments:

Leslie @ This is the Refrain said...

Dear Chris: I'm so thankful for you and your blog and your friendship over the years. I'm so so sorry that this year has been so hard, but I hope that that means that next year and the rest of the year are full of wonderful things. Happy thanksgiving!

DesLily said...

It is far from my best year also... but I am still thankful that I have the best damn "adopted son" that anyone could have!

xoxo
mama

Heather said...

LOVE YOU CHRIS!!!!!!!! So thankful for you!!! (((hugs)))

Here's to a better 2014!

Anonymous said...

Happy happy Thanksgiving, Chris!

Snowball said...

I'm thankful for you & your blog too, and I hope your years get better & better.

Kailana said...

I hope that amazing things are in store for you next year, Chris! And at least you can always find the positive!!

Bookfool said...

What a sweet, upbeat post! Love it and love you, love your blog!!! Also, thanks for mentioning Hyperbole and a Half. I bought it on the way to Oklahoma, where we spent Thanksgiving with my in-laws and visited with my sister and her family. What a wonderful book!! I'll read it over and over again.

Happy Belated Turkey Day!!! Love you bunches!!!!!

Becky said...

We're so thankful for YOU! I'm so glad I took a time out tonight to finally stop in. As always, I could relate to so much that you said Chris. I told my best friend, as I drove her to the airport, "I get that life is a lot about choosing to see the happy, but it's so hard." We had also just gone to see that new movie that came out, About Time, which is basically about the same thing. (I loved it, by the way, and ended up sobbing like a little baby by the end of it. Here I thought it was going to be a romantic comedy and it ended up being about finding the good in each day.)

In other words, I hear you. I know I don't know all that is going on, but we all care about the person we've grown to love and care about here so much! Thanks for always sharing. I think that's why we all feel we know you so well Chris! :)

Unknown said...

Well said! I'm very thankful that I've discovered your blog. Even though I discovered it a few years ago and lurked for a long time, you're an inspiration to a lot of people =) Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Daphne said...

Big hugs to you; I'm thankful for blogging for bringing wonderful people into my life (like you!)

Beth F said...

I'm late to the party but I'm so thankful I've gotten to know you through blogging.

Carole McDonnell said...

I'm sorry for all the sucking that is involved in life. Not many wise advice from this old lady on what to do about it. But just to say I love you very much and wish you super happiness and super joy and super peace and love in 2014.

tohko said...

I have to say this! Becoming your friend is one of most happiest things in this year for me.
Warm hugs for you:)

Susan said...

Hugs, Chris, and you are so right: being thankful every day for what we have around us, is a good way to start to see what is good about our lives. I'm doing the same thing right now, stopping and sitting still and feeling my way to what is good in my life, and where I want to go from here (mostly in terms of my career). Peaceful i guess is what I'm looking for. I know it's almost Christmas, but I wasn't able to blog for a while, and I'm catching up now with you, and Christmas or Thanksgiving, my wish for you is always the same: that you be happy, and find a cure for those headaches, and find that house! :-)