Still Thankful...

We are nearing the end of November, which means that we are also nearing the end of the "What I'm Thankful For" social media posts.  I have to admit, I have really enjoyed the positive atmosphere of my news feed over the past few weeks and I'm kind of sad to see it go.  I started out on November 1 posting what I was thankful for, but because life happened, I got off track around day 20.  So, I have decided to dedicate this post to getting back on track and getting ahead with my complete list of what I'm thankful for this month and always:

Day 20:  My relationship with God.  There are some days when holding on to His promises is all that gets me through my day.

Day 21:  My husband.  I've been married for 15 years and I truly believe that my husband and I were meant to be.  We're not perfect, but we are perfect for each other. 

Day 22:  My children.  I have two amazing children and I feel so blessed to be their mother.  

Day 23:  My parents.  I'm pretty blessed in the parents department, too.  

Day 24:  My job.  I work with an amazing team and absolutely love every day of my job.  That is so rare these days.  I am so glad that I was obedient and took a leap of faith to pursue this position. 

Day 25:  My friends.  I have an amazingly supportive friend group.  I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.  

Day 26:  My church family.  I am blessed to be surrounded by a loving church family. 

Day 27:  My neighbors.  I've lived in my neighborhood for nearly 12 years and I can't say that I have a single "neighbor nightmare" story.  

Day 28:  The Hallmark Channel.  Need I say more?  They have the best movies on Hallmark and I am so thankful when I get to sit back, relax, and watch a great movie.  (I'm especially partial to the Christmas movies on Hallmark!)

Day 29:  My house.  I am so thankful that I know exactly where I am going to lay my head every night.  

Day 30:  Samford University.  I am currently working on my administrative certification and my doctorate in educational leadership.  I have the best professors and an amazing cohort who help me keep my sanity while I pursue these degrees.

I love that this month helps people take a moment to stop and focus on the many blessings that are in their lives.  I'm glad to have this documented on the blog so that I can refer back to it as a reminder and as encouragement.

We have two days left in the month and I am going to be checking my news feed to catch a glimpse of the final few "What I'm Thankful For" posts.   See you soon!


  

Kicking off the Season of Thanks

I blinked...and now it's November.  Time flies when you're living.  I can't believe it's been nearly five months since the last time I logged into my blog!  I've missed being here and am really hoping that I can work Diva on the Run back into my schedule.  Since the last time I blogged, I've started a new job, my first born started high school (I'm still trying to figure out how that happened), my baby started junior high, and several other things have happened in between.  But, as always, this busy mom wears whichever hat she needs to wear to make it all work!

Since we are approaching Thanksgiving, I decided to follow the status quo and theme this month's posts on being thankful.  Often times, we get so wrapped up in what we don't have that we fail to realize what we do have.  It only took me a few minutes to take a quick assessment and realize that I really do have a lot to be thankful for! (I don't know why it's so easy to forget that sometimes.)

I love social media during the holidays.  People tend to post what they are thankful for and the drama is often muted.  Well, most of the time, anyway.  It is so refreshing to see people focus on the things and people that they are truly thankful for.  

In my last blog post (I know it's been a while), I mentioned the devotional book that my friend gifted me.  Well, I'm still reading that book on a daily basis.  The book is Joyce Meyer's The Power of Being Thankful:  365 Devotions for Discovering the Strength of Gratitude.  What I love most about this book is that just when I think I've covered every area of my life that I'm thankful for, my daily reading brings to remembrance something that I have overlooked.

Today's reading was titled, "Doing Something Great With Your Life".  When I think of all of the things that I aspire to do in life, I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have been given.  I am thankful in advance for the opportunities that are in my future.  

Take a moment and think about the things (outside of the norm) that you are thankful for.  The things that you are truly thankful for.  We all love and are thankful for our spouses, our parents, our children, our houses, our cars, our clothes, etc.  But what are you really thankful for?  

image from www.dogonews.com

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

A few months ago, a very close friend of mine gifted me Joyce Meyer's "The Power of Being Thankful" and for several weeks, I became habitual in thanking God for the many blessings in my life.  I was proud of myself for reading from the book daily and taking the time to focus on the good things in my life.  However, in the hustle and bustle of life, I somehow drifted from that habit and moved to a place where I find myself complaining about more things than I give thanks for. 

 
Today is June 6.  I picked up my devotional this afternoon and found my bookmark nestled between the May 16 and May 17 devotions, which means that the last time I read from the book was one of those days.   I have to admit that I'm a little embarrassed by that.  I could easily blame the final weeks of school, my doctoral coursework, my children's activities, or church activities for this oversight, but that would be way too easy.  Instead, I'm going to make a vow to not let this happen again.

You see, I have way too many things to be thankful for and I am guilty of taking those things for granted.  I want to do better.  I have to do better.  I am going to study today's devotional in hopes of learning what it takes to develop a habit of being thankful. 

What are your tips and suggestions for developing an attitude of gratitude? 

Thankful for Thanksgiving Break!

I have really been enjoying reading everyone's posts about what they're thankful for.  But, I'm just going to keep it real.  What I'm really most thankful for right now is Thanksgiving Break! I have an ultra busy life and I just want to take a minute to recharge.  Here lately, even my weekends have been jam packed with meetings, games, practices and other events.  I love my life.  I really do.  But even the self-professed Super Mom needs a minute to relax, right?

So, I'm doing the countdown until Thanksgiving Break so that I can take a minute to thank God for what I'm truly thankful for!

1.  My family.  I love my family.  If I could spend every waking moment with them, I would. I'm thankful for my husband and the beautiful children that we have together.  They are my life.

2.  My job.  Even though I get frustrated sometimes, I still can't imagine myself doing anything other than what I do now.  Being able to make a difference in the lives of students make me happy.  And, who doesn't love being happy?

3.  My church family.  I am blessed to be a part of a very loving church family. I am thankful for the outpouring of love, support, and encouragement that I receive from my church.

 

Okay, on a less serious tip, I am also thankful for the following things:

4. Flat shoes
5.  Mary Kay Rich Fig Lipstick
6.  Keurig Coffee Machine
7.  Caribou K-cups
8.  Lancome DreamTone dark spot corrector
9.  Vera Wang Lovestruck Parfume

10. All things Apple (iPad, iPhone, iPod) 

This list could go on and on for days.  I have so much to be thankful for.  I'm excited to get a few days to sit down and reflect on it all.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving!