Thanksgiving is tomorrow, which means it's time to do that thing everyone does at the table. Say things we're thankful for. When it comes to this time honored tradition, why not take it up a notch and skip the usual. Let's have a conversation. When writing this list of our top things to be thankful for we started with the basics: God, Family, Friends, Babies, Puppies, Jobs, Cars, Relationships, etc. We didn't want to give you a generic list, however. So, we got serious and started to dig a little deeper into what to be truly thankful for as a human of this world, here are a few we came up with: 1. Your Freedom - Never take this for granted. Ever. We constantly hear stories about human trafficking, slaves, girls being taken by some rebel war lord, addicts, abuse, etc. Right now, you're reading this blogpost - because you can. You have a choice to do what you like. And while you might say, well I have this person or thing in my life that doesn't let me do whatever I want. That's not the point here. You're free. You can make your own decisions and make your own mistakes. 2. The Internet - Could you imagine a world without it? If you can get passed all of the spam and useless articles, you'll find that the World Wide Web is actually a great place. Full of wonder, education, happiness, and new information. I personally, find it fascinating that stories, information, facts, opinions, etc can be shared to anyone with wifi. It hasn't been around for very long but I can only imagine where it will be in the next few years. 3. Opportunity - How many careers exist in the world today? Way too many to count, right? You can take your freedom and your internet and top careers in 2014. You'll find not only doctors and dentists but software engineers, web developers, and market research analysts. That's just the beginning. I find that opportunity is always knocking and it's best to have multiple streams of income. So go on, expand your horizons. 4. Education - This one is major (pun intended). You have the choice to go back to school or stay in school. How amazing is that? My recent epiphany was that I could do anything my heart desired but first I needed to get my education to open the various doors I wanted to walk through. And I know school isn't for everyone. But it could be. And you have that choice. 5. Companies Who Give Back - It's no secret that we love companies who give back to the community or support a cause dear to our hearts. We've posted several times about our favorites. This year, let's not only be thankful for companies who aren't in it for the money, power, fame but for people all over the world, but let's also choose to buy our christmas gifts from companies like this. Check some out here. 6. Growth - Both in nature and ourselves. That fact that we're never the same person two days in a row, opens us up to new starts constantly. What a great way to live. One day at time. Always changing. 7. Drive - Something deep within us fights the urge to give up. Something that keeps us waking up every day, taking that deep breath, and opening our eyes. We know life can be hard sometimes. There are days we all have to fight to get out of comfy beds. But we do. And that is a great thing. 8. Music - A world without music could hardly be considered a world at all. Music gives us the ability to create and enjoy something so unique and special. Yes, Christmas music. And yes, before Christmas. 9. Colors - Everywhere we look there is a canvas filled with colors. Each sunset and sunrise so beautiful and powerful. Unique. The trees, the water, the mountains, the people. 10. Fingers & Toes - Now this may sound weird. Fingers and toes? They give you the ability to stabilize each step we take and control our movements. To eat, to draw, to walk, to run, to paint, to type. Where would we be without them? We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy each other. Laugh. Communicate. sincerely, j + t
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On this cold November morning, my daughter and I decided to snuggle instead of get out of bed. After a long relaxing weekend, I think we were both in denial that it was Monday. But of course we dozed off only to awaken 10 minutes before we were to leave. We jumped out of bed and rushed to get her ready. Forgetting about myself completely, we ran to the car and sped off (going the legal speed limit, as always). When we arrive at her school, she says,
"Will you walk me to my class?" Any other day, I would jump at the chance, just not today. I didn't brush my teeth or hair and I was in a robe for crying out loud. I tell her, "Not today bebe, I look like a ragamuffin." Her response made my heart melt and would make any parent proud. "I don't care about that, it's what is on the inside that matters." Wow, right? I'm doing something good. High five. But this isn't a story about about how sweet she is. You see, shortly after this AMAZING moment, as we are hugging goodbye, she asks me another question. "Can I have ice cream after school?" Stop. What? You little opportunist, you. Her timing was impeccable and her wit was on point, so I said yes. You see, this story is about seizing the moment. Taking a chance. The answer may surprise you. And you'll never know, unless you ask. XOjess. So, I have this friend. His name is Murphy. I use the word friend very loosely here. You see, Murphy is a pretty lousy friend. He's not the kind of friend that's around very often. And when he is, I really just spend the entire day cleaning up all the messes he makes. And Murphy. Makes. Messes—he makes messes bad. He doesn't care how it affects me. He doesn't care that I have a life to live—that I have things I need to do and take care of and work on! Well today, Murphy decided to show up on my doorstep. And you could probably guess I wasn't the most thrilled.
You see, this friend of mine is actually a friend of yours, too. I know he is because I've heard the stories. If you haven't caught on by now, my so-called "friend" is Murphy's Law. You see there? I was trying to be funny about all of this. Find a reason to laugh at my bad day. If you are unfamiliar with Murphy's Law or just aren't really following my rant, here it is, all spelled out for you. Murphy's Law states, "If something can go wrong, it will;" More recently added, "and usually at the worst time." So like I said, today, my friend Murphy showed up and boy did he hit hard. And it's still only morning. If I’m being honest, I guess it really all started last night, when out of the blue my computer decided to crash, while I'm in the middle of practicing for a huge presentation the next morning, causing me to lose my script and not be able to perform in class and possibly lose everything important to me from the last four years--this was the start of my visit with Murphy. Then this morning came. I had terrible nightmares while trying to sleep, I slept through my alarm by two hours thanks to the extra dose of NyQuil I took last night to ward off my ongoing sickness, woke up with a raging headache, threw up for no apparent reason (except maybe the fact that I'm still sick even after an entire week of taking medicine), stepped in some random dog’s poop while taking my dog out to go to the bathroom (ironic how that works), the strap of my purse-turned-backpack broke and spilled my contents all over the pavement as I was racing to my car to make it to my next class in time, I couldn't find parking and had to walk up a huge hill to my class making me 10 minutes late, then I realized that I forgot my wallet and now I can't even buy myself lunch. [[deep breath]] But oh, look at that view. The ocean is breathtaking from this little bench I've found myself sitting on. The air is cool and crisp, making breathing easy. I am alive. A smile creeps across my face. The wind picks up, causing a little chill. I smile wider and close my eyes; I tilt my head back and ever so slowly raise my hands and outreach my arms to welcome the reminder that I am alive. And if you're reading this, then so are you. Now I know that my turn of events isn't the worst of things that could happen. I'm also very positive that many of you have stories from just today that would trump mine, if this were a competition. I know this because I've had worse days. Much worse than this. And I'm sure I will again. But Murphy doesn't have to drag us down. For the first time ever, I'm embracing this old friend. Maybe, just maybe, I can show Murphy how to truly live, and to love and enjoy every moment, despite my world crashing down around me. Maybe next time Murphy won't be so rough on me, or maybe he'll he worse. It doesn't really matter. I'm ready for it. Why? Because I AM ALIVE! That’s what is keeping me going on a day like today. So if you’re having a day like mine—and many of you are—embrace our old friend Murphy and find a reason for joy. For you, maybe it’s the way the leaves crunch under your boots as you walk down the street, or maybe it’s the sweet giggling coming from your baby girl or boy, or maybe it’s the way the customer smiles and says, “Thank you!” after you’ve handed them their order or recent purchase. Maybe it’s the way your lungs are still filling up with air, or your heart is pumping blood across your body to keep you going, but rejoice! For you, too, are alive. sincerely, t |
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October 2018
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