gratefulness untold

If I could make a list of all that I am thankful for,
It would look like an endless book unbound
With sheets and sheets of people, places, and things.
If I could show you a pile of everything I love,
It would look like every single leaf in autumn
Or every snowflake ever fallen from a winter sky
Or all the flower buds and birds' nests in trees
Strewn across the world's magnificent floors.
If I could tell you in a story about everything I value,
It would look like an eternity sitting at the fireside
With friends and family and strangers
All around as we speak of goodness and knowledge
And happiness and growth as we enjoy friendship and warmth.
If I could give you a piece of all that I am thankful for,
It would not fit in all the universe,
For heaven holds even more
Than this speck of space ever could.

gratefulness: teaching

Is it weird to be thankful I am a teacher? I have always loved helping people learn, and I always thought I might become an English teacher, but now that I live this teacher life, I am thankful I am where I am. It would be wonderful to earn more for what I do, but I am exceedingly grateful to be teaching at a great school. The schedule I work blesses my family more than money ever could, so I give great thanks for where I am.

But I'm also glad to have so many nonprofessional opportunities to teach as well. There are people all around me who teach me but also let me teach them. It is a blessing to me when I have the chance to share my knowledge and lift another because of what I have learned. Sometimes, I consider how often I have the chance to teach others, and it is astonishing. Teaching is definitely one of my callings in life.

Whenever I think I might not be making a difference in life, I am often reminded of the people I help through various teaching opportunities. And it fills my soul with humble gratitude.

gratefulness: family

My family. So many people. I don't know where to begin when I think of everyone in my family who make a difference in my life, past and present. My parents, their parents, and theirs. Do I begin with the people I created, my children? The purpose and direction I have because of their existence makes my life what it is. But then I think of how my son is getting married this coming week, and I think of my future family. I think of how God answered my humble prayers and sent this sweet girl to bless my son and all of us. I consider all of the cousins who love me and help me and let me love them. There are so many people to be grateful for. I am thankful for my brothers and their families, my sisters in law and nieces and nephews. Gratitude is high for my brother who fought for our country and strives to keep going and is always my friend. I am thankful for the ancestors I never met who came across the sea long before the United States of America was even born to help forge this land and make a home for me. I am who I am because of my family, this near, far, extended, and self created family that I love.

gratefulness: discernment

As November approached, I contemplated my annual gratitude month daily writing. It has merit. It helps me to focus on the good things in my life. But this year has been bearing down on me as it comes to a close, and writing every single day sounds like it might break me. When I came to this conclusion, I realized that it would be just fine to write once a week and give myself a break from the full expectation.

Making that decision alone is something to be grateful for. I haven't always been good at seeing when I am needlessly making life more difficult by piling on too many good things. Writing every day is a good thing until it becomes a chore that could push you over the edge into a mild depression because life is just that hectic. That is when it becomes not a good thing. Having discernment about something so valuable to my life shows me that I am getting better in tune with my needs and limitations and caring for myself better.

I am thankful for the lessons I have learned that got me here, knowing that it is good to write less, and I hope to hear from some of you about what you are grateful for as we work on increasing gratefulness this month.

I will shine

I forgot to write a slice of life last week, and my only excuse (as if I need one) is that I have so much on my plate that I must recognize I do not have time some days. It is not even about priorities as much as it is about literally not having enough of me to go around with all that is required of me as a single mother, teacher, editor, social media manager, friend, and so on—because I am not in any one box ever. My existence is overflowing with good thing and hard things and stressful things, and I get overwhelmed by it all some days. Last week was one of those days, yes, the whole week. It was like one big Mondayish seven-day period. That's the only way I can think to explain it. Just lots to do and no way to get around any of it.

Despite the failure to write last week, I still have renewed hope in the fact that I can keep writing, that I have not put the pen down again. I intend to explore fresh ideas and begin writing something brave and let my light shine. Stay tuned for more!