Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I haven't been on here in forever--details on that another day--but for today, I'm thinking of all the blessings in my life, all of the things (and most importantly, people) I am thankful for and of course, pecan pie! Hope your holiday is filled with blessings, good food and good people.

Looking back

Music is very important to me. When I'm in a funk, my favorite music can pull me out of it almost instantly. When I feel like crap and want to "waller" in it, certain songs can help me waller with the best of them! Today while I was getting dressed, I was listening to my iPod on shuffle and an old favorite played--"Better Days" by Bruce Springsteen. Boy, did this song take me back instantly.

There were many days that I sang this song at the top of my lungs in my apartment, remembering what absolutely shitty times I'd been through...and survived...for the better. There are so many lines in this song that rang so true for me at those times in my life that it makes me wonder if Bruce didn't go through similar things in his life. That's the thing with songs...the words can seem like they were written about me or my life and those are the songs that mean the most to me and truly touch my spirit in a way that nothing else can.

As I listened to it today, it made me remember those tough days again and where I am now. It made me remember the person I was then and the person I am today. I am a different person than I was then, but I wouldn't be this person if it weren't for those shitty ones. Truly, today, I am living in Better Days...and I'm grateful.

Thankful Thursday

With today being Thanksgiving, "Thoughtful Thursday" has become "Thankful Thursday" once again. I encourage you to sit down sometime today and write down what you are thankful for. There's a lot of power in writing down your gratitude list. I used to do this every morning--a long time ago--and I can't tell you the difference it made in my day. You don't have to go crazy...just start with 5 things you're grateful for. Just to get us started, here is my list:

1. My wonderful husband. He wasn't my "husband" last Thanksgiving and I'm so thankful that he is this Thanksgiving.

2. My friends. What would I do without them...truly. They're my sounding board, my sanity (at times), my partners in crime, my sisters.

3. My family. Yes, they may get on my nerves at times...maybe a lot of times, but I love them and am so glad they're my family.

4. My dog. I can't imagine what I would do without my Daisy dog. She's been my sole companion during some dark times, loving me unconditionally and completely. She never fails to bring a smile to my face and smiles, my friend, are severely underrated.

5. My health. I am especially grateful for this today since I'm feeling sick and have been for a week. I take my health for granted when I'm not sick, and it seems that I only appreciate my health when I don't have good health. Being healthy is such a blessing. People who are terminally ill would give anything to be healthy again. Money can't buy health--no matter how rich you are, if you aren't healthy, you can't buy it. Today, I would be so grateful to feel good and be completely healthy.

So there you have it. You don't have to be fancy and get all philosophical. If we just notice and give thanks for the most basic things we have every day in life, it will make gratitude grow. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!