1) I'm thankful that I'm able to recognize, at least sometimes, when I'm starting to "get inside the box" toward people (see "Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box"). Maybe someday I'll be able to do more than just recognize that fact.
2) I'm thankful that my daughter, who is just over 3 months away from being 6, is FINALLY getting to start school today. She's been so excited for this day for a long time now.
3) I'm thankful for the chance to take some time to focus on feeling gratitude. It makes a difference in how I feel about life each time I do it.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
30 Aug 2010
1) I'm thankful that my oldest son got to call us on the phone yesterday because he is doing well enough in his treatment program to have earned that privilege. It was a joy for each of us to be able to talk to him, and I'm proud of his progress to this point. He's a great kid!
2) I'm thankful for the opportunity to work and be able to improve my life situation through my efforts. The USA is far from perfect, but I am aware of other countries with fewer freedoms and liberties, and thus fewer chances that someone who is not already near the top of the heap can work their way to a better future for themselves and their family. I know from my experiences of not being able to do anything to help my wife in her physical pains just how demoralizing it is to know that there is NOTHING that you can do or control or influence that can make a difference in the situation.
3) I'm thankful for the joy that my wife and I share in the company of the other. We're not always joyful, and we certainly have many of the same struggles as any other couple, but it is so comforting and relaxing to be able to know that the person that holds your heart has given you theirs to hold as well. It makes it fun to talk, tease, play, work, and just be together.
2) I'm thankful for the opportunity to work and be able to improve my life situation through my efforts. The USA is far from perfect, but I am aware of other countries with fewer freedoms and liberties, and thus fewer chances that someone who is not already near the top of the heap can work their way to a better future for themselves and their family. I know from my experiences of not being able to do anything to help my wife in her physical pains just how demoralizing it is to know that there is NOTHING that you can do or control or influence that can make a difference in the situation.
3) I'm thankful for the joy that my wife and I share in the company of the other. We're not always joyful, and we certainly have many of the same struggles as any other couple, but it is so comforting and relaxing to be able to know that the person that holds your heart has given you theirs to hold as well. It makes it fun to talk, tease, play, work, and just be together.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
26 Aug 2010
1) I'm thankful for the chance I get each week to visit with my oldest son in his residential program. We enjoy getting to see him, and even though I think it seems to him that we spend a lot of time talking about things that went wrong and how they can go better, it is good to see the progress that he is making.
2) I'm thankful that my work client introduced me to two books by The Arbinger Institute, "Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box" and "The Anatomy of Peace". The concepts that are presented in those books are simple, but they are put together in a way that I have found to be very eye-opening and enlightening. I have enjoyed reading them.
3) I'm thankful that God has blessed some good friends of ours. They are having twins, and one of the twins had a very serious condition that the doctor expected would lead to her death in utero. This family and many friends have been fasting and praying on their behalf, and God has granted that her condition should improve. The doctor went from giving her a 1.5% chance of surviving until birth about 4 weeks ago to an 80% chance as of yesterday. Also a blessing is that the other twin has not had any problems during this time. It is truly a miracle!
2) I'm thankful that my work client introduced me to two books by The Arbinger Institute, "Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box" and "The Anatomy of Peace". The concepts that are presented in those books are simple, but they are put together in a way that I have found to be very eye-opening and enlightening. I have enjoyed reading them.
3) I'm thankful that God has blessed some good friends of ours. They are having twins, and one of the twins had a very serious condition that the doctor expected would lead to her death in utero. This family and many friends have been fasting and praying on their behalf, and God has granted that her condition should improve. The doctor went from giving her a 1.5% chance of surviving until birth about 4 weeks ago to an 80% chance as of yesterday. Also a blessing is that the other twin has not had any problems during this time. It is truly a miracle!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
24 Aug 2010
1) I'm thankful that my kids are excited about the first day of school and yet sad that they will be spending less time with our family. We've had a rough year, but this past summer has seen a lot of lightening of the load, and it has been enjoyable to pull together as a family and enjoy each other during that time. I believe we can continue to enjoy our family time during the school year as well.
2) I'm thankful for my education in regards to my career. I know many people who have been very successful in their work without having a bachelor's degree or higher, and I've also seen some of those people struggling recently to either move from a bad job situation to a better one, or to get hired in a new position after downsizing. I don't claim to be any smarter or more talented than these people, because I'm not. I do have a bachelor's degree, and I believe that it is helping me during this difficult economic time.
3) I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father. I know that He knows me personally, and that He loves me more than I can imagine. I'm thankful that he provides me opportunities for growth and development in all areas of my life, and that He is a perfect role model for me to try to emulate as I deal with my children.
2) I'm thankful for my education in regards to my career. I know many people who have been very successful in their work without having a bachelor's degree or higher, and I've also seen some of those people struggling recently to either move from a bad job situation to a better one, or to get hired in a new position after downsizing. I don't claim to be any smarter or more talented than these people, because I'm not. I do have a bachelor's degree, and I believe that it is helping me during this difficult economic time.
3) I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father. I know that He knows me personally, and that He loves me more than I can imagine. I'm thankful that he provides me opportunities for growth and development in all areas of my life, and that He is a perfect role model for me to try to emulate as I deal with my children.
Monday, August 23, 2010
23 Aug 2010
1) I'm thankful for an enjoyable Saturday spent in Logan, UT at the Aggie Family Fun Day. We got to play some games, win some prizes, buy new Aggie gear, and watch the football scrimmage. I'm realizing more and more that good memories with family come from doing things together.
2) I'm thankful that something that began as just "hey, this will be fun" has turned into the beginnings of a family tradition. We have taken to making brownies on many Sunday evenings as a fun treat to have, and the kids are starting to ask for them if we don't start on them. I can see this becoming the type of thing that they look back on with fondness as they grow older.
3) I'm thankful for a wonderful wife. Even though she's been feeling sick, and even though she hardly slept for more than an hour last night, she still is out and about taking care of the errands that have been weighing on her. I admire the way she keeps her spirits up most of the time even in the face of near constant pain, discomfort, or illness. I become the world's biggest wimp when I'm sick (I'm only the fifth biggest wimp when I'm not sick).
2) I'm thankful that something that began as just "hey, this will be fun" has turned into the beginnings of a family tradition. We have taken to making brownies on many Sunday evenings as a fun treat to have, and the kids are starting to ask for them if we don't start on them. I can see this becoming the type of thing that they look back on with fondness as they grow older.
3) I'm thankful for a wonderful wife. Even though she's been feeling sick, and even though she hardly slept for more than an hour last night, she still is out and about taking care of the errands that have been weighing on her. I admire the way she keeps her spirits up most of the time even in the face of near constant pain, discomfort, or illness. I become the world's biggest wimp when I'm sick (I'm only the fifth biggest wimp when I'm not sick).
Thursday, August 19, 2010
19 Aug 2010
1) I'm thankful for people who volunteer their time and efforts to help out with community activities like Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, musical productions, etc. These people are being very generous, and the benefits to those who are able to participate because of their generosity are numerous.
2) I'm thankful for a wonderful world to live in. It is a great blessing to have beautiful and varied environments, flora, and fauna to work with and enjoy.
3) I'm thankful for the political freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of the USA, and I recognize my responsibility to do my part to help maintain those freedoms for future generations.
2) I'm thankful for a wonderful world to live in. It is a great blessing to have beautiful and varied environments, flora, and fauna to work with and enjoy.
3) I'm thankful for the political freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of the USA, and I recognize my responsibility to do my part to help maintain those freedoms for future generations.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
18 Aug 2010
1) I'm thankful that I get to visit with my oldest son again today, and that he has been making progress over the past month.
2) I'm thankful for the chance to spend time with my family each day and enjoy their love, personalities, and enthusiasm.
3) I'm thankful for the lessons that I have been learning over the past months. These lessons have helped me to try and focus on maintaining good relationships, because people are more important than things.
2) I'm thankful for the chance to spend time with my family each day and enjoy their love, personalities, and enthusiasm.
3) I'm thankful for the lessons that I have been learning over the past months. These lessons have helped me to try and focus on maintaining good relationships, because people are more important than things.
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