Time for some good news...

I was going to write a long rant about the state of the world today and my disappointment in the actions of some people. And I was putting together what I would say in my head and how I would counter every argument. And it occurred to me that no one needs to hear any more complaining. I think it's time that every one heard a few good words and something optimistic.

I know I am a little bit early, but I guess this is a good time to write about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for:
*My family. My husband, parents, siblings, in laws (even though I don't differentiate in laws from the rest anymore), my sole remaining grandparent, my cousins, my nieces and nephews, my aunties and uncles, etc, etc etc. They add so much color to my life and enhance every day.

*My friends. More than I can list- close, far, ones I haven't seen in years, those that I talk to daily. I have been blessed this year to be able to reboot some old friendships. I have been blessed to find new friends. I have been blessed to really focus on making some friendships stronger. There have been some pretty big changes in my life this past year and it has really helped me focus on the friends I want to surround myself with.

*My dog. She's like a living teddy bear. And she cracks me up even when she annoys me.

*My faith. I know that I (and my loved ones) am going to be okay no matter what. Life is never going to be what I expected and I am okay with because often it is much better than I could have expected and more wonderful than I could have imagined, even if the road is a little bumpy and I get off track.

*Stormy weather. It's nice to mix things up everyonce in a while. It helps me to appreciate the good weather more too. Plus stormy dark clouds are just awesome... so much potential. Also storms make me glad for my warm house and the ability to watch them pass by.

*Having to work for a living. I have learned to appreciate what I create and take pride in my work. I have also learned to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I've learned that I can't have everything that I want and sometimes it's better that way- I just get the best of what I want and leave the rest. :)

*Having a job (makes sense if I enjoy having to work for a living). I feel like a part of something and that I do a little bit to make the world run.

*Learning. In the past year I have taught myself to both knit and crochet (with the help of Youtube and a completely unhelpful "teach yourself to knit book"). I have also learned a lot (I really mean a lot) about accounting which helps me at work (and actually in other areas of life as well). I have also learned a lot about people and relationships and God and myself.

*Reading and books and stories. I cannot emphasize how awesome a good book is. Or even just a good story. I still remember stories that my parents told me when I was young. There are books out there that I will read over and over and over again because their stories touched me.

*Seasons. See storms. I love the changing weather. I love watching for the first orange or red leaf of Fall. I love trying to find the first bud on the tree in Spring. I love the heat of summer and the snow in winter (but only until January, after that it should just be spring again).

*Change. I like that every day is different and that I am not quite sure what to expect. I love that I have stopped trying to guess what is going to happen because the most likely outcome is the opposite of what I would have predicted. I'm grateful that change happens regardless of whether we are ready for it or not and that we grow because of it.

*Mt. Dew. In small increments. In a can (versus a bottle). Makes my day. :)

*The ability to write this. For the internet and for the knowledge and that there are enough wonderful things out there for me to sit back and just be grateful.

*For you reading this. It means that you're around and I like that. :)

So there's probably a billion things I could add to this and I am sure that I have missed the painfully obvious ones (like my health, a home, etc) but I really just wanted to point out that there are wonderful things out there and the world isn't all gloom and doom. Just look past it at the wonderful things in your life. You're going to be okay. So will I. :)

Happy Friday.