thanksgiving.

It may have been a while back, but giving thanks is something we should always be thinking about. Even though my cousin drew this adorable picture, the idea of Thanksgiving is not all about the turkey. Another corny cliché (apparently I use plenty of these sayings), but every day is a gift. And we need to remember that and to remember to give thanks for what we have been given.

I know I get overwhelmed with what isn't going right in my life: my job situation, trying to figure out what I should be doing (i.e. my life's purpose), differences between my boyfriend and me that are small now, but could continue into our marriage and grow bigger, rejection upon rejection when applying for what I consider more legitimate jobs (i.e. jobs that actually require a college education), my lack of organization in certain situations, my unfocused diet, my laziness, and so much more.

But I really know I must focus on the positives. When in college, I got bogged down with the stress of everything I took on. I couldn't focus. So I came up with a catch phrase: PositiveNESS! I took a piece of bright construction paper, got out my crayons (yes, I was in college and still kept a box of crayons in the back of one of my desk drawers!), and created a strong reminder of a trait I needed to possess by writing out my new word, PositiveNESS, and pinning in to my bulletin board. I kept it throughout my college career, always pinning it above my desk so I would see it when I was studying. And, believe it or not, I still have it. Although I haven't put it up since college, I'm thinking I should dig it out of whatever box full of old college paperwork it currently resides in and proudly display it again. That reminder is something always good to bring to light.

PositiveNESS leads to thanksgiving. When we look at the bright side of life, we realize we do have a lot to be thankful for, even if life seems horrible. I've gone through many trials in my life, many small ones, small very big ones, but I still have my life. I'm still here. And that means I have the power to change not only my life for the better, but the lives of those around me. I can make (and have made) an impact on others. And that's something to be thankful for.

While I may not have a job I like or my own home, I do have some income coming in that allows me to keep up with my payments and I do have a roof over my head thanks to my parents. I also have a lot of stuff, stuff that we really don't need as humans, like electronics, but that we desire.

Above all, I do have my basic needs met. Besides shelter, I have food and clothing and the means to provides these for myself. I have my boyfriend, my family, and my friends. While I may not have the most or best of anything in particular, I have more than enough. I have more than many people across the world. And I am thankful for that. I just need to realize that I can use these resources, which may seem limited by American standards, to do so much good for others. I really can.