I like to start my blogs the same way I would if I were picking up a conversation with an old friend. “It’s me again! Let me tell you about today…” But in reality, sometimes it’s been a while in between conversations, and if you’re not really good friends, it might seem a little awkward. Nevertheless, I have a hankering to talk about something today, so cheers to the awkwardness ensuing.
It’s officially October, so we’re quickly approaching the season of gratitude. You know, the couple of months out of the year when we’re forced to think about all the things we’re supposed to be thankful for, even though we’re still annoyed with everyday life.
It feels something like this:
I’m still working all the time.
I’m still just as exhausted as ever.
I’m still overweight.
I’m still stressed out.
I’m still not “living my best life” … *insert eye-roll here*
You know what? You don’t have to fall into that trap. “Living your best life” does not mean you’re expected to live out someone else’s highlight reel. Forget that staged mess! Life is dirty and stressful and downright MEAN sometimes.
Living your best life might just mean being thankful for the 3 things that didn’t hit the fan today, and dragging your butt out of bed on purpose tomorrow to do it all over again, because there are people who need you to do that.
And honey, that kind of gratitude these days is my kind of gratitude.
We all know the reality is that most of us are able to get ourselves wherever we need to go, feed ourselves when we’re hungry, work to pay our bills, and even jump into a whole heap of trouble every day if we feel like it — and I usually do. Sigh.
When I can actually pause to think about the word “gratitude” on purpose, I quickly realize that I have a LOT to be thankful for. I may not be a spring chicken anymore, but I can still do most of the things that I’ve always been able to do. And thank goodness for that, because I have a toddler who likes to keep me on my toes!
But on most days when I don’t have time to sit and think about it, I’ll just keep whispering, “Thank you Jesus for my coffee. Amen.“
What can you be grateful for today?
Blessings,
Emily