Count Your Blessings, You Stabby Bitch

Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Last summer I wrote a blog post called "Count Your Blessings, You Stabby Bitch." I wrote it because I felt like I needed an attitude adjustment, and verbalizing the things I was grateful for helped me to focus on the positive. Like many humans, I have a tendency to dwell on the negative, and I think this exercise is helpful in grounding me in a way that allows me to see my life in its totality.

So I'm going to write this again (and again, and again), and try to focus on the things that make me happy in an attempt to stay grounded and centered.

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I am grateful that I have a companion with whom I share my life, and that my companion makes me laugh. And he's Smart. Hard to beat that.

I am grateful that I have apparently been a successful parent. It may be too early to tell, of course, but so far, so good.

I am grateful for my family. I don't always agree with them - in fact, some of their ideas give me hives and make me twitch. But after surgically removing the ones who are racist asshats from my life, those that remain are basically decent human beings with whom I share the common values of love, service and compassion.

I am grateful for my friends.  You know who you are, and you know why I love you. I am constantly amazed that I've managed to collect such a large group of quality people to my orbit. That's the thing about friends and companions - they choose you. And that fact that you guys chose me humbles me in ways I can't express.

I am grateful for my Boogie-Dog. He's better company than most people, and he reminds me daily that taking joy in the simple things and living in the moment is not necessarily a bad way to live.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to pursue my education. When I was a youngster, I failed to see the value in this opportunity, but I'm happy to have seen the error of my ways as I've aged.

I am grateful to have a job that meets my intellectual, financial and lifestyle needs. Money doesn't buy happiness, but it sure as hell gives you the freedom to pursue it.

I am grateful for my intellect. While I recognize that I'm not the smartest person in the world, I'm happy not to be the dumbest one, either, and my gifts have always been sufficient to allow me to do the things I want to do.

What are you grateful for?

8 comments:

vince said...

I'm grateful for awesome friends both near and far - friends like you.

I'm grateful I have a pretty cool family that rarely drives me nuts and loves me despite my flaws.

I'm grateful to live in a country that has its flaws and its idiots but that still remains the best place in the world to live.

I'm grateful for my health, my intelligence, and that fact that, despite being far from perfect, I've taken to heart a lot of life's lessons - some learned the hard way.

Anne C. said...

Hmmm... I see our thoughts have been running in the same directions of late.

You put it well when you describe the feeling that comes from having amazing people choose to be friends with you. Although, on second thought, it really shouldn't humble you -- after all, awesome people think YOU are awesome. (I know what you mean though. I had trouble articulating it myself. ;)

Nathan said...

I'm glad you weren't permitted unsupervised use of any sharp objects while we were at Jeri's house!

:D

Janiece said...

What are you trying to imply, Nathan? Hmmm?

Jeri said...

Thank you for making me think! I've been too bogged down in my day to day stuff - I needed the perspective. :) I posted mine over on my blog.

CkretsGalore said...

Once in awhile (or sometimes too often) I come across a person that reminds me that I have been blessed. A supermodel genius I may not be, but gosh darn it...I'm doing all right.

I'm grateful for all the love and humour I have in my life.

I too am grateful for ma doggie...Shay-Shay (I have enough pictures to prove it!).

Definitely grateful for my lovable geek who still gives me butterflies.

kimby said...

This week I am finding it hard to be thankful for much of anything, but I am thankful for people like you and the rest of the UCF. (and no, this isn't a cop out reply, I really am thankful for my little group of friends inside the shiny box)

neurondoc said...

I'm grateful that I have some BonBonBar chocolates and marshmallows to eat. (My gratitudes can be worldy, right?)