TToT/FTSF Mashup – For These Things We Are Thankful
It’s Sunday night and my link-up posts aren’t finished.
I’ve spent the last several days alternating between wishing I could come up with something terrifically profound and hoping I just get something on the page and completely forgetting that I need to write the thing in the first place.
It’s not that I don’t feel grateful right now. It’s just that I have many other things on my mind. Which is not to say that at any moment I forget the things in my life that are worthy of gratitude, or that I am in any way unaware of them in the first place. I just really have many many things on my mind.
So maybe there’s a list of thankfuls in there somewhere…
For example, I’m worried about a rather sizable project I have to complete this week. It’s a big one. Probably too big for the time frame allotted. But I am thankful to have a project to worry about it and, assuming I complete it successfully, I am thankful there’s a paycheck at the end of it.
I worry about friends being upset or disappointed when I am not able (for various reasons) to make a coffee or lunch date, attend a get-together, be part of a vid-chat, or whatever. But I am thankful for friends who understand that sometimes it’s just not possible to do everything I might want.
I worry about making a living from home. I worry that people judge that choice as foolish or irresponsible. I worry when the jobs are sparse and the funds are few that people think I’m failing. I worry about whether I will continue to get jobs. But I am thankful that the people around us have been hugely supportive and helpful in every possible way. And I think I’m also thankful that those who were not truly supportive have found their way out of our lives.
I worry about our Daughter. Constantly. Is she eating right, getting enough exercise, doing OK in school, getting along with other kids well, sleeping enough, sleeping well, and so many other things. Clearly, worrying comes as part of the package when you take the baby home. And every day or month or year that she’s here the worry changes. But I am thankful that thus far she has proven to be a strong, healthy, intelligent, resilient, and thriving little person in every way.
I worry about my Husband and about myself. Are we setting a good enough example for our daughter? Are we healthy and taking good enough care of ourselves – physically, spiritually, mentally, and all the rest? Are we paying enough attention to our relationship as a couple? Are we good parents? I’m thankful that we can talk about these things together, that we can act as sounding board for one another and figure out when and where we might need to make adjustments.
I worry about the rest of my family. Are they healthy? Safe? Happy? I’m thankful to have so many of them close by and part of our lives on a regular basis. And I’m thankful for the means to communicate and connect with those who are not so close.
I worry that I worry too much. And I suppose I’m thankful that I recognize that.
[tweetthis]I worry that I worry too much. And I suppose I’m thankful that I recognize that.[/tweetthis]
I can’t help but think of Thoreau’s words here, that our lives are “frittered away by detail.” There really is no way to deny that. There is so much to think about, to do, to pay attention to and be distracted by that it becomes so very easy to fail to see past all of that to what really matters.
Health. Home. Family. Sleep. A clean pair of socks and a cool glass of water.
A smile from someone who loves you – or someone you don’t know at all. A kiss when departing and a hug upon return. Sunsets and bedtime stories and peaceful dreams.
These are the things that matter. These are the things for which we are thankful.
[tweetthis]”Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” ~ Henry David Thoreau [/tweetthis]
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This week Ten Things of Thankful is joining forces with Finish the Sentence Friday.Brought to you courtesy of the geographical closeness of Kristi and Lizzi. This week’s sentence starter is “I’m thankful for…”
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FRIST
Yesss!
I’m worried about those things too. I’m worried (some would say that I’m worried about too much too often) about All The Things, and yet, here we are, living and loving and laughing and raising the most amazing people on the planet and the Broncos won. So there’s that. xo Missed you this weekend but OF COURSE get it. Always.
Yup, we think about All The Things. Absolutely. But I think that’s the whole point – at the end of the day, it’s all pretty amazing, isn’t it? You’re so freaking wise. I definitely missed you all this weekend. There will be a weekend one of these days when the planets align and that will be an awesome day! xo
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“Remember to delight yourself first, then others can be truly delighted. This was my mantra when I published my first book in 1990, and still holds true. When we focus on the song of our soul and heart, then others will be touched similarly. Sometimes people wonder or worry whether people will like or approve of their creative expression. It’s none of your business. It’s your business to stay present and focused for the work of your deepest dreams. It might look crooked or strange, or be very odd – but if it delights you, then it is yours, and will find it’s way into other hearts.” ― SARK
Margaretha, these are awesome awesome words. Thanks for sharing that!
Hope they cheered you up!
Well I wasn’t really UN-cheerful…didn’t mean to give that impression! But they are very positive and inspiring words for any day!
Sometimes I’m amazed at how similar TToT lists can be, when written independently and without first reading the others. It seems like several of us had a bit of stress this week. I hope this coming week is more relaxed for you.
I haven’t read the others yet, but I’m sorry to know that we’ve had a collectively stressful week. I am often amazed to see a common thread running through the TToTs as well – it’s happened many times. Hope your week goes well, too!
Sounds like you have a healthy worry for all things important. Good luck with your big project this week. The vidchat didn’t really work for any of us this time, so no worries there. Catch you at the next one or the one after that.
It sounds like it’s a nice thing to have a partner to go through all that life gives you. You have each other. Just from hearing bits of your little girl and husband in the background I can tell what a close family you three are. You are doing the best you know how to do, together. It’s a sweet dynamic to behold.
As always, love your HDT quotes.
🙂
I don’t know, Kerry, sometimes I think I worry far too much about far too many things. 😀 Our little family is very close, yes. That is very true and we really do just stick together and do what we need to do.
I’m glad you like my Thoreau – he is the place I find my brain turning most often. 😀
I worry a lot too about so many things I have no real control over and then I find one thing I can control. It’s hard not to worry and it’s easy for other people to just say, don’t worry so much, but easier said than done, right?
🙂
Much. It’s a case of willing spirit, perhaps. We know academically that worry is not productive or positive but we can’t help ourselves.
worrying is ok as long as it doesn’t consume your life.
True enough, Mike. And that’s the rub – making sure to find that balance between “just right” and “too much.”
First of all, I like your Twitter plug in. Tres chic. I admire that you are taking a road less traveled because you love it and believe in it, rather than making a living in a job you hate, just for the money. I’m a worrier too, and truly, it gets us nowhere. So thinking of the positive things that are really important and letting go of the “what ifs” is the meaning of the TTOT.
I believe I’m using the “Tweet This” plugin. It’s pretty cool – has a couple of style options.
I have to tell you, Val, today this road less traveled is a real uphill climb. Yes, good and positive things are happening, but it never quite seems like it’s enough – or fast enough. Having serious doubts today. I suppose it’s normal. And if you’re already a worrier? Yeah…worse. You’re right the positive is really important so I’m trying to keep my eyes on the prize because throwing in the towel feels mighty tempting some days.
See, here’s the thing, which is that there are two ways of looking at what you’re doing, and of course you’d look at it in the worrying way (which is what I do) but other people seem to have clearer perspective where my life is concerned, and perhaps some of their outside thoughts (YOU may even have sent some of these my way) also pertain in your situation – like that you’ve chosen a way forwards in life and are striving towards it; that you’re busting your guts to make it work, and even if it doesn’t work out, it’s not through lack of trying; that you’re self aware and hoping and aiming for improvement for you, for your husband, for your daughter; that she IS happy and healthy and thriving; and that in knowing you worry too much means at least all the things get THUNK about.
Anyway, I’m all rambly and probably not helpful. But I like you aBIGlot and I want you to know that in spite of the worried feelings, it’s not always just that the worried is the thing, if that makes sense, even if sometimes, in some situations, it is.
<3
I cannot answer you on mobile. I’ll be back.
You know, this is very Winnie the Pooh-ish – like the part about how the things get thunk about. So Pooh. It’s the way Pooh thinks and I think he’s very wise. You’re completely right and so is my Husband, with whom I’ve just had a longish sit-down about things along this vein.
You may be rambly but it actually is helpful. I followed it completely. 😀
At the moment, I’ve realized that I’m worried that I haven’t been around to read enough other people’s posts today. But I have to suck that up until tomorrow and get back to work for a while.
Drive carefully! Don’t crash with Beth in the car! 😀
No crashing. I’m quite good at it, yaknow, for a starter-offer. And GOOD I’m glad you had a similarly-veined conversation with your husband, that’s AWESOME.
Glad my ramble was helpful and not too confusing 🙂
I worry about worrying too. Sigh.
Heh. I so get that, Liv. 🙂
This was powerful because I’ve been in this place so many times. Always one more thing to add to the pile of worry, and as a mother I can tell you that it doesn’t end when you children reach emancipation. My oldest is now 40, my youngest 36. They are both doing awesome with their lives and yet I worry just the same. I do think that we get too caught up in the details, in all the should do’s and would do’s, and wish we could do’s, and don’t do nearly enough just living in the moment. I’m trying to focus more on that this year, to Let Go – Let God and live more, struggle less. I’ll let you know how that works out, but it’s more of where I want to be. All this business is far to tiring, as you already know. I wish you peaceful moments and quiet times of love both as a couple and as a family together. Those who love you will understand why you can’t make every date planned, we have to go with what is the very most important and can be done in the allotted time we have.
You can only do what you can do, right? So true.
I definitely know the mother worry will not stop – my Mom worries about all of us all the time. And so did her Mother before her. It’s what we do, right? I remember just after Zilla was born, I was so tired and doing that brand new mom thing where I worried about absolutely every little thing she was doing or not doing. In tears, I asked my Mom “when does the mommy get to sleep???” My Mom, never missing a beat, said, “Let me think. The last time I had a nap was…how old are you?” It was a perfect way to diffuse my overwrought-ness.
You may remember my words for the year – calm and control. I am definitely working on more of that, too.
I can relate so much to your post. I had a busy week and I needed to keep myself active because of how my heart was feeling a little lost. My thankful post took on a life of it’s own. As I read it back I realized there’s even gratitude amongst painful and joyful memories. 😊
So very true. I often find the weeks I feel least like finding my list are the weeks the list comes together all by itself. There really is always something to be grateful for, even when it doesn’t seem that way. Sometimes we really have to get past it a bit to see that.