for the simplicity of right vs. wrong.

for inventive minds,
for a hug from a stranger,
for people who listen,
for cough drops,
for forgiveness,
and for my guitar, with its full, warm, friendly sound on a cold, truthful night.

for music. it's the best gift EVER!

that everyone has been pleasant at work today,

right down to the dude at the mcdonald's counter who gave me an extra apple pie when i wasn't looking.

i know i've said this before, but i don't think that means i can't say it again.

today i'm thankful for migraine relief. because when you're in bed, and it's two-thirty in the morning, and your entire existence is pain and nausea, and it hurts to see light, hear sound, think thoughts, and even pray prayers, yea, it hurts simply to exist, and throw on top of that nausea and vomiting, and you worry because you'll be on call soon and you'll be unable to work, and you wonder if you can get some relief from the emergency room, but you can't drive yourself to the e.r. because you can't see straight to drive what with the unbearable pain and all, and who would you call to drive you to the e.r.? a coworker? since those are the only people whose numbers you have?

and then when that pain is lifted, and suddenly your existence is free of physical pain, and you feel so much better...

you can't help but be thankful that the migraine is gone.

so thank GOD for ibuprofen and other forms of migraine relief.

for SAARA! yes, YOU! you ROCK!

why is it that one really does feel better when someone else smiles at one?

honestly, i do. even though i know it's common courtesy, it feels as though someone is truly happy to see me.

i'm thankful for that.

for signs of love from my dad.

for STEEEEEEEEAK o' CLOCK!

for when people advocate for me, the little guy. (i.e. that my surprise oral exam got postponed.)

for clean, well-lit places
for lemon juice
for oolong tea...

and hopefully, for God-given abilities? we'll see tomorrow at 4.

and i've decided coming up with things late in the day is okay, because that whole waking up in the morning process leaves my mind blank and numb. so late in the day is okay, and then i can meditate on what i thought of the day before, 'til i come up with a new one.

at least, that's what i've been doing.

for lots of things!

for the refreshing (refreshment?) of my faith,
for the endurance of hope,
for a warm sunny day,
for a clean car,
for the renewing of my mind and mindset,
for gorgeous coffee tables,
for finding my flash drive!!! (that's a big one),
for six days off,
for a possible new favorite holiday,
for new friends and acquaintances,
for love,
and as always, for possibility.

happy new year

i'd given up, but i now realize how much this exercise really did help me. seven months isn't too bad, eh?

so here we go again. i won't log these on a blog necessarily, and i'll try to be more intentional and earlier in the day about it.

still, my thing for the day, first for the new year, is from this evening.

i am thankful that i do not have a sordid past, nor painful stories to tell. i have been spared this, not because of my goodness, but because of His.