Thanks!

It sucks that hardship is often cast as the villian in the story of Thanksgiving. People are always grateful for the good things happening in their lives- shining spotlight on the abundance of love and joy, the kindness of strangers, the pretty little objects they are blessed with.

Well, what about all the tough times, the bad days, the setbacks? They get no love?

I believe that all things happen for a reason. Destiny, fate, the works. Therefore I believe I would never get to certain places or reach certain things if it weren’t for all the failures, the hindrances, the times when I feel really really bad about myself. Sometimes, I may never know what those bad times are for, but I should be grateful for them nonetheless. It’s time to shine a light on those babies.

I give thanks…

my commute. Ugh. This is a really tough one to give thanks to. Why? Why? Why must I endure driving so much? I’m a freakin’ terrible driver! But I do appreciate the alone time I get to sing and dance wildly to Taylor Swift think and pray and contemplate about life. I get a chance to practice my driving skills (that’s something, right?) And mainly, I drive a lot because I live at home. But living at home saves money and gives me some time to spend with my family before that final day when I spread my wings and fly away.

projects that I scrap. Even though I feel like I wasted my time and energy working on it, I think every attempt is one step closer to success and I’d rather put forth my best work to the world and to God than some half-assed yechh.

my differences with my mother. My mom is a very… special lady. (As I’ve mentioned many times before.) She is a spitfire of a woman, stubborn as a piece of steel, and with an opinion on everything in the world. Being the youngest of 5, she’s also the baby of the family and has an almost blind optimism that leads us into debatable territory many many times in my life. She is also loyal to a fault and prouder than pride itself. But if my mom wasn’t the way she is, I would not be the way I am. I’ve inherited parts of her optimist (that I hope I keep at a healthy level) and her pride turns me into a slice of humble pie. Her drive carries through in everything I do and I don’t want to live my life to make her happy but I choose to because I love her. (Well, as happy as God will allow me to make her, that is.) So thanks, mom!

to the lack of funds in my bank account. Money has fortunately never been a main source of worry in my life thanks to my parents’ hard labor and thrifty spending ways but sometimes, it can be hard not to think about how I will make out in a year, in 10 years. But I think God keeps my bank account low for now to keep me in check that there are more important things in life than how many zeros are at the end of my paycheck and to keep my work ethics high to keep chasing that dream and to make me realize what I really love doing are the things I would continue to do even if I weren’t making money from it.

heartbreak. I endured a whopper of one this year but despite all the tears and sleepless nights, all the gray skies and pillow pounding, I made it through. I was able to become a stronger, wiser person in love and relationships and all that jazz. I was able to learn that I can move on. I learned forgiveness. The fickleness of the human heart. I LEARNED SO MUCH!

Of course, I’m also so so so thankful for everything else like my family, my friends, my job, my dreams, my faith, grace given to me. Grateful everyday for all these things and more.  Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

~1 Thessalonians 5:18

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posted by Janice | Comment: 3 | Blog, Friendlies, God, Job, Los Angeles, Love, Personal, Uncategorized, Writing

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