1) I'm grateful for the family experiences we had yesterday as we spent some time working together in the morning before loading up and heading to Lagoon, an amusement park, for a reward to our children for helping out around the house. The kids really enjoyed their time there, and my wife and I enjoyed spending time with them making memories.
2) I'm thankful for the perfect weather (for me) yesterday. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, yet the temperatures remained in the low to mid 70s. There was an occasional small breeze and plenty of shade to be had, and it was pretty easy to warm up a bit by stepping into the sun and cool down a bit by staying in the shade.
3) I know I say this a lot, but I am thankful for the amazing woman that I have the great fortune to be married to. She perseveres through trial and tribulation with a kindness, generosity, and humor that are unique and wonderful. I couldn't be more blessed in my choice of companion.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
03 Sep 2010
1) I'm thankful that my wife tries to enjoy the things that I enjoy. She likes to spend time with me, so rather than resenting me for having interests outside of the things she already liked, she tries to learn about the things I like as well. I need to make sure that I do the same for her.
2) I'm thankful that my wife and I both understand that there are things that only one of us is going to like, and that it is okay for her to have a girls night to watch chick flicks or okay for me to have a football party, as examples. We try to support each other by making sure we have everything in place to allow the other to participate, and we also try to make sure that we don't let ourselves do so many things apart that we end up not spending enough time together.
3) I'm thankful that my wife and I have found common interests that neither one of us were aware of beforehand. As much fun as learning something new is, it is even better when you can share it with your favorite person in the whole world and learn from what they are doing with it as well!
2) I'm thankful that my wife and I both understand that there are things that only one of us is going to like, and that it is okay for her to have a girls night to watch chick flicks or okay for me to have a football party, as examples. We try to support each other by making sure we have everything in place to allow the other to participate, and we also try to make sure that we don't let ourselves do so many things apart that we end up not spending enough time together.
3) I'm thankful that my wife and I have found common interests that neither one of us were aware of beforehand. As much fun as learning something new is, it is even better when you can share it with your favorite person in the whole world and learn from what they are doing with it as well!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
01 Sep 2010
1) I'm grateful that, at least sometimes, I'm able to recognize that being tired is affecting the way I interact with those around me. I try to either be what seems to me as extra nice (in hopes that it's not too much less than my normal niceness) or get some rest when that happens.
2) I'm thankful for good examples in everyday life all around me. I see family members pulling together, friends helping friends, and strangers reaching out to become new friends. The only downside is that I can get to feeling that there is even MORE I need to try to squeeze into my life.
3) I'm thankful for being able to recognize that there are many things that I spend time on during my days that are of lesser importance. Now if I can just start getting myself to stop spending time on those things and more time doing the things of greater importance, that would be a step in the right direction!
2) I'm thankful for good examples in everyday life all around me. I see family members pulling together, friends helping friends, and strangers reaching out to become new friends. The only downside is that I can get to feeling that there is even MORE I need to try to squeeze into my life.
3) I'm thankful for being able to recognize that there are many things that I spend time on during my days that are of lesser importance. Now if I can just start getting myself to stop spending time on those things and more time doing the things of greater importance, that would be a step in the right direction!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
31 Aug 2010
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.
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.
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.
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