On Being Thankful

I have been feeling particularly overwhelmed lately by the things that cause me to feel sad, angry, concerned, and fearful. There are just so many reasons to be feeling the unpleasant feelings, from a very personal level all the way to a global level! It seems that every time I turn around (or open my phone), I'm met with something else to challenge me. It's probably not surprising to other folks who have been having the same experience and also to those who have been following my blogs and social media posts. But here we are, less than a week to Thanksgiving, and I have been attempting to slow myself down a bit, become more present, and notice the moments when I feel thankfulness.

We won't be able to totally solve or ignore all of the more unpleasant things, but I do find that when I practice being more psychologically flexible in my day-to-day, I also have room in my experience for all of the rest of life - all of the things that bring sweetness to my day. So consider this blog a bit of a confession, apology, attempt at connecting with you, and an invitation to join me in exploring moments of gratitude and sweetness in our lives.

Here's a non-exhaustive list of the things I have found myself feeling thankful for lately:

• Waking up in the morning, after getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep.
• The sound and feeling of the crunching of acorns as I walk from my parking lot to my office on the UL Lafayette campus (I usually refer to this time of the year as Acorn Stomping Season).
• The way my dog makes soft eye-contact and then leans his head, followed by his full body weight, against my leg, as he requests that I rub his ears.
• The absolute chaos that is my White's Tree Frogs attempting to eat a cricket I am holding directly in front of their mouth. If you haven't seen something like this, I highly recommend searching for videos, like this one: 
  • 
    
• The way my youngest child insists she get and give a hug and a kiss to every family member every morning before we head in their separate ways for work and/or school.
• The power and connection I feel when I'm in spaces with like-minded people who are passionate about the things that I also feel passionate about.
• My Autistic pattern recognition, especially as it applies to the people I love and the subtle ways I notice their emotions, even when they don't articulate them.
• My sense of wonder and curiosity! I love learning so much, and even better, I love seeing it rub off on my children.
• Social media! I'm not ashamed to be chronically online, and I just adore social media trends and the way it feeds my curiosity and my need for laughter (does "I love my sootcase" mean anything to you?).
• The journey I have been on the past few years in truly understanding, connecting, and appreciating myself and my neurotype. I feel more authentic and secure than I have ever felt before.
• The experiences I had growing up as a result of my dad being so insistent on showing us so much of this country (and beyond). I have been to so many beautiful places in the US - so many National Parks! I love that he gifted that to me throughout my childhood.
• My husband's gentleness and stability. It is incredible to have a partner who never leaves me guessing about his love and commitment to me and our family.
• Having jobs that not only provide important basic needs for myself and my family, but are also jobs that I enjoy doing!
• Food. South Louisiana is so centered around food, and we have so many amazing places to eat and dishes to make. I'm thankful for gumbo and for the fact that I have learned to cook a gumbo that my family prefers over any other gumbo.
• My friends. How lucky to have people who love me so fully! How lucky to have people who allow me to be important in their lives! And to never have to question where I stand with them.
• Quilts, handmade by my mom and my grandma, that keep me comfortable and warm on the couch and in my bed when the temperature finally drops here in Louisiana.
• Opportunity. There is no telling what tomorrow, next month, next year, or years from now hold, and right now that feels very hopeful.
• The first Christmas ads and decorations popping up - the feeling of Christmas season is my favorite time of the year!

I could keep going - and I might do that from time to time as a way to continue connecting with the fact that I contain multitudes. Thank you for reading and seeing me!