Being grateful

[jp1]

As I mentioned on the roadtrip thread I recently embarked on a two week road trip. A week spent housesitting at my sister's house, followed by a couple of days visiting a close friend in LA and then several days in Palm Springs with SO for his birthday. When I left my sister's I decided not to look at social media, including simple living, until after I got home. That ended up being a great decision. Since getting home I've obviously gotten back to my old routine but I've decided that for every post I put up about politics and my concern that the republican party wants to take the country back to the bad old days of the 1950's (which would suck for all of us who aren't straight white males) I am going to try and post something more upbeat. Something that I'm grateful for, something that I think is delightful, whatever. There's a lot of good in my life and sometimes I forget to acknowledge that. Seeing SO step up and help Abigail with the end of her life, loving our new coffee table and the story behind it, the wonderful hikes I took in Palm Springs where I got to see beauty that looks way different from what we have here at home, are all reminders that for all the bad in the world I'm doing ok and have much for which to be thankful.

Feel free to remind me of my promise to split my focus on both the good and the bad in the world if I drift back to always complaining about everything that's wrong. Not everything's wrong, and while it's important to fight for what I think is right it's also important to remember that overall things are pretty good in my world.

[iris lilies]

This is an excellent idea!

despite its excellence, my own ratio on “Rants” to “Raves” threads does not make me proud.

[Yppej]

I am grateful for Judge Mizelle.

[jp1]

I am grateful for Judge Mizelle.

I’m grateful that I’m not such an asshole as to soil one of your heartfelt threads by responding with my political opinions.

[Yppej]

I’m grateful that I’m not such an asshole as to soil one of your heartfelt threads by responding with my political opinions.

You moved out of gratitude fast.

[early morning]

Well, he DID say he was grateful to not be an a$$hat.
jp1, it's a nice sentiment and a good reminder for me to stop bitching so much IRL. And thanks for sharing your upbeat stories. Love the coffee table!

[razz]

Wonderful approach IRL as well as online. There is so much good going on each day to trigger gratitude. Great thread!

Yesterday when out walking my beagle, I met another dog walker with a gorgeous 6 month old Dalmation. I am sure that young man was both surprised, amused and pleased to hear the story of Toby, my dad's Dalmation - how he rescued kittens that had fallen in a hole and returned them to the mother cat; how he stayed in the barn when a cow was about to calve and woke the family if the cow had problems; let my toddler daughter grab his skin in her little fists and let her slowly learn to walk by holding onto him. The young man had wanted a Dalmation pup based on his past history with one. His pleasure in sharing how he was able to find one, enjoying his pup today and my chance to remember a remarkable dog from my past, gave me a lift. Gratitude for magical moments are jewels in one's life.

[happystuff]

Great idea for a thread! I'm looking forward to reading the posts. I have no specific story to relate - just that I am soooooo grateful for my family and friends. We are there for each other in both good and bad times, no judgements or expectations - just love. With the day-in and day-out aggravations of this job, finances, etc., I really need to remember that I am very, very blessed.

Thanks, jp!

[Simplemind]

One of the things I love about Facebook is the memories feature that pops up with pictures/memories that you shared in the past on that day. Back in 2020, many of my FB "friends" had gone very dark and angry with their posts. Media in all areas was negative and concerning. I decided to post something lighthearted or humorous every day since life was feeling so heavy. I really enjoyed looking for something to post and people responded positively.
Now all the memories are popping up. Toilet paper shortage jokes, goofy things about being trapped in the house jokes, thoughts on what I had never appreciated until life became so quiet. In so many ways 2020 seems like a lifetime ago since time as I spent it is now completely different. Not better, not worse, just so different.
Everyday a memory/meme of those early Covid times pops up. They are still making me laugh. They are showing me that we have come a long way from not knowing where we were going. Remember those days when we thought this wave would roll over quickly and we would be back to business as usual? Little did we know how far things would reach. Through all that hardship and loss there were still bright spots to be found. There were chuckles to be had. I am so enjoying the daily memories and it is a reminder that it is really important for mental outlook to take a moment and bring some light into the into the dark corners every day.

[pinkytoe]

Today, I will be very grateful if the wind stops blowing.