Gratitude: Thanksgiving Break

 There is a saying that you should create a life that you do not need a vacation from. I feel that. As someone who chose the teaching profession, I learned quickly that the breaks are absolutely essential. Maybe I am doing things wrong, but I cannot seem to keep up on health and wellness other than during breaks. I am grading and lesson planning and organizing and conferencing, etc. eight to ten hours a day (sometimes eleven to twelve when grading is piled high), and it just does not leave time to do much else except be mentally and physically exhausted. I have been evaluating what I assign and how I measure student performance in order to work smarter not harder, so my hopes are high that I will soon not have to be on such a grind. I am in my eleventh year of teaching now, so I feel like I probably should have figured this out by now. My only  excuse is that I have been teaching a wide range of classes over the years, and only in these last two school years have I been teaching core English classes again. That has got to be the issue. That all said, I am exceedingly grateful to have this Thanksgiving break to take care of myself and my family and my home. The comfort and peace it is giving me is palpable. I needed these days off to recuperate, rejuvenate, and restore. 

Gratitude: Innovation

 

I don't know about you, but my life has been blesses beyond measure by innovative minds who create inventions and/or take old things and repurpose them to new ways of doing things. It has been phenomenal to witness in my lifetime the many new things that change my life and make life better. I am in true awe as I contemplate all of the blessings come from sheer innovation. Computers, phones, dishwashers (I did not grow up using one), microwave ovens, washers and dryers (I did not grow up using a dryer either), safer Christmas lights, and the list goes on and on and on! So many wonderful and good things that make my life so good. I am exceedingly thankful for anyone who works to innovate for the good of humanity. 

Gratitude: Sight

 

It is natural to take for granted the things that come easy, so taking the time to notice things like the ability to see is important. I used to have perfect sight, but getting older has stolen that from me. Nevertheless, I can still see very well, and I have access to an optometrist and glasses that make my sight almost as good as it was. I am so grateful that I can see. Being able to look out my windows is glorious and calming as I see the beautiful sky filled with clouds and enjoy the radiant sunlight. The gift of sight is precious and important, and I am thankful for it. 

Gratitude: Calm

 

As a teacher and a single mother and a me, I rarely know calm. I never really have but on very few and far between occasions. So when I saw the opportunity to get a substitute teacher for a couple of days before Thanksgiving break, jumped at the chance. And I am happy to say, I am on the road toward calm, and it feels nice, really nice. I have taken care of almost my entire random you can only take care of these things between 9-5 list, and we are not even to Thanksgiving yet. This means my home might actually get completely clean if I can keep my eye on the prize. You might be asking what does this have to do with calm? Well, when all the random things are taken care of and my home is clean, I feel like I can actually have a minute to breathe. I have not been a stay-at-home mom for over a decade, but those were the days when I could achieve some calm from time to time when all the errands were ran, dinner was cooking, the children were playing, and I had finished whatever cleaning project that day. Yet, I digress. Long gone are those days, but I remember what helps me to enjoy a sliver of calm, and today, I can see it coming toward me on the horizon. 

Gratitude: Jolabokaflod

 

January through October, my book club reads a book and has a potluck discussion about the book. And every November, we get together to celebrate the year of reading and discuss what books we want to nominate for the upcoming year. When planning what I want my book club to look like, I decided that I loved the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod, exchanging books and eating chocolate at Christmastime, so we celebrate with a book flood of books to give to each other, chocolate, and a different Christmas themed party each year. Last year, we had a chocolate and fondue fancy night in theme, and this year was a pancakes and pajamas party theme. And every year, we have a nice array of chocolate and delicious food items, and it always feels like a wonderful way to wrap up the year of reading with the women who join in with me. I am thankful for each of the women past and present who have been part of my book club, for all they do to invite and attend to make it a rejuvenating time for themselves and me. I am thankful for all of that because it makes it possible to even need to do the special end of year/Christmas season kickoff, our version of Jolabokaflod. We just enjoyed our Jolabokaflod last night, and it did not disappoint. So much fun talking books and hanging out and eating delicious food and treats. I am already looking forward to it again next year!