Attitude o' Gratitude

2007-10-02T17:31:00.001-07:00

that i have energy. what a change.

2007-10-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

for toilet seat covers.

2007-08-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

for God's encouragement, using an EXTREMELY unlikely source, to try to find a church here

2007-04-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

for that random baby smile. when you do nothing but look at them, and for it they are utterly delighted, and their entire face lights up in a silent, big, open-mouthed, crinkly-eyed, drooly little toothless smile.

it may seem meaningless, but it cheered me up today.

2007-02-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

for whatever it is about me and in my professional reputation that is causing people to seek out me specifically for research projects.

i don't know if it's a good thing but it seems good.

2007-01-27T00:36:00.001-08:00

for the simplicity of right vs. wrong.

2007-01-25T17:47:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-01-15T21:56:00.003-08:00

for music. it's the best gift EVER!

2007-01-13T15:38:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-01-12T19:06:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-01-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

for SAARA! yes, YOU! you ROCK!

2007-01-10T18:26:00.001-08:00

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.

2007-01-06T21:34:00.001-08:00

for signs of love from my dad.

2007-01-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

for STEEEEEEEEAK o' CLOCK!

2007-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-01-02T19:39:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-01T21:46:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-10-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

for the steward (flight attendant?) who noticed my tears and came by to offer me a drink, and then, when i declined, a box of tissues.

2006-08-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

Jesus loves me this i know
for the bible tells me so
little ones to Him belong
they are weak, but He is strong

yes, Jesus loves me
yes, Jesus loves me
yes, Jesus loves me
the bible tells me so

kablooie

2006-07-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

after six and a half months of daily posts of gratitude, things have blown up in my face.

i need time to reset.

2006-07-18T18:23:00.000-07:00

that what i considered a curse has been a blessing of late.

2006-07-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

i think i've already been over this today.

2006-07-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

that agape always makes the first move.

2006-07-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

i know this is a recurring theme, but for all the sleep i just got. i got, like, um, a LOT.

2006-07-14T11:03:00.000-07:00

that i remembered to think to check my car door pocket while searching for my cell phone so it didn't get lost forever.

all 'cause of a clunk.

2006-07-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

for the suggestion for a church to attend this sunday.

2006-07-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

for the perfect apple green.

2006-07-10T23:52:00.000-07:00

that they are truly going easy on me to start.

2006-07-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

that there was NO electric bull at last night's function. for i would have been compelled to ride in front of all my new coworkers.

2006-07-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

that the yoke upon me is easy, and the burden light.

2006-07-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

for sleeeeeeeeep.

2006-07-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

that i may still be single, but i'm not single and like that.

i have my standards.

2006-07-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

for reinforcement through repetition.

2006-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

this job is awesome! terrifying and taxing and all-consuming, but awesome.

2006-07-03T22:14:00.000-07:00

as i suddenly realize that you know what? i'm on a mission from God. : )

2006-07-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

that there was just enough money in my wallet to allow me to save face today.

2006-07-02T20:35:00.000-07:00

that i might actually end up getting exactly what i want.

i may have to wait 90 days for it.

but it might be exactly what i want.

2006-07-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

for when people are genuinely friendly.

2006-07-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

for the clouds that bring relief from the withering heat of the sun and the intimidation of this glaringly bright place.

2006-06-30T04:02:00.000-07:00

for a friendship whose love transcends time and space.

yesterday i was going through my usual course of self-deprecatory thoughts, and landed upon "i am unlovable."

i then thought (was reminded) about what a certain friend of mine would say to that. she would remind me that SHE loves me, and this fact would render that statement (which is already false for other reasons) very obviously untrue, ya big silly stupidhead.

i was then reminded that if i know that my friend loves me, how much more am i loved by God? how much a greater love was demonstrated by the death and resurrection of Christ? why do i not turn first to this as my solace?

and i am reminded that that's okay. the love between friends, or between any people, for that matter, is a reflection of the love of God. as the moon reflects the light of the sun to shine in the night sky (and do notice for this particular comparison that it waxes and wanes— interesting), so may human relationships beautifully reflect a love so intense, so bright, that we could not bear to behold it in its fullness...

even though it feels like it came out of my head i'm sure some one else has said that before, and i probably read it somewhere.

2006-06-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

at last, the end of my quest is near?

2006-06-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

for leftovers.

2006-06-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

big ol' burritooooooooooo!!!!

2006-06-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

let's face it. i'm not thankful today. this is bad. oh, it's bad.

so i'll say i'm thankful that i just bought some cookies and candy and ice cream at the store. seeya. i'm going to go snack.

2006-06-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

for online sermons, i guess.

2006-06-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

that at least i have a job to help keep all this emptiness from getting me down. at least, when it starts i will.

2006-06-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

that i have a bed to sleep in.

2006-06-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

it's done! well, almost.

2006-06-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

for salt and vinegar potato chips as they helped keep me awake during more opportunities to fall asleep at the wheel.

2006-06-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

i dunno. for safety i guess, not falling asleep at the wheel and all that.

2006-06-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

for helpful people who help me.

2006-06-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

for knowing that this will pass, it will.

2006-06-17T01:13:00.000-07:00

that i can breathe easily. did i tell you how i was all sick on tuesday and couldn't breathe? now i'm thankful for breathing easily. seriously. you don't realize 'til you can't.

2006-06-16T18:33:00.000-07:00

for the way discrete smaller goals help you to reach your bigger ones.

2006-06-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

that it all is turning out okay i guess. and for only five patients this evening at work. FIVE. none of whom were actually ill.

2006-06-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

for my mom and her mad bargaining skills. i’m sorry that we didn’t get to use them more.

2006-06-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

that i feel better this morning, and was able to wake up and pack and everything and still make my early morning flight.

2006-06-12T18:28:00.000-07:00

for sweetness from my coworkers dr. g and dr. r. that she was sweet to me even though i secretly hated her for absolutely no reason (i've stopped hating her). that he gave me a hug.

i’ve been taught a lesson.

2006-06-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

that He is one who restoreth.

2006-06-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

for the joy of making music.

2006-06-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

i saw four patients total. FOUR.

2006-06-08T21:23:00.000-07:00

DANGit. i keep having to post late. the blogger outages aren't helping either.

i'm thankful that that one kid, the one with the strawberry blond hair (the only true strawberry blond i have ever seen), did end up turning around and going from looking like death warmed over to looking like a rose.

2006-06-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

mm. hunh.

a year later, i'm the same ol' me. and that's okay.

and that i don't look my age.

2006-06-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

that all those babies born today were okay.

2006-06-05T05:24:00.000-07:00

that no injuries resulted from my fall down the stairs this morning.

2006-06-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

for easy goodbyes.

2006-06-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

for the nice feeling you get when you are good at what you do.

2006-06-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

... who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion ...

2006-06-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

for this warm, wonderful smelling (bounce fabric softener) fluffy white bathrobe in which i can wrap my cold little bones and my achy little heart.

2006-05-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

one patient. i only had one patient to see today.
fun.

2006-05-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

that i have kept my first floor presentably clean for an entire week.

2006-05-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

that i sold my sofa set!

2006-05-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

for effective distractions.

2006-05-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

that i am not the most pessimistic, depressive, desperate woman i know.

2006-05-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

for the way that Truth crosses international and cultural (and any other imposed by man) boundaries.

2006-05-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

that somewhere out there, right here, Someone knows how to handle me when i'm mad.

2006-05-24T20:43:00.000-07:00

baby! born! great! happiness!

and i got to be there.

2006-05-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

that my first level is cleeeeeean. :D

2006-05-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

that despite all the opportunities to screw up today, i didn't. oh and that we didn't crash in the helicopter on that first trip this morning.

2006-05-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

with the "thing" with babies that's going on all around me and the way i've been feeling about it, i'm thankful that i missed yesterday's baby shower after all.

2006-05-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

that after spilling hot tea in my lap last night, i am not burned at all.

amazing.

2006-05-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

i rsi'd a baby today and it was okay.

2006-05-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

for those fun times that make me forget to go to bed, and forget that i'm sleep-deprived so i'm not angry about not going to bed.

not that i'm not hurting for it this morning.

enough double negatives for you?

2006-05-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

even though i completely overprepared, staying up 'til 3 am worrying about it and working for it,

i am still grateful that i completely aced the stupid easy test today.

2006-05-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

that someone saved my butt just in time today.

2006-05-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

for fast food.

mmmmmmmm... God bless america.

2006-05-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

for my mother. of COURSE.

2006-05-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

for having something to look forward to.

2006-05-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

for my new power to make people at work do things for me even though they originally did not want to do them.

i must use this power for good, and not for evil... i guess.

2006-05-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

two words: chocolate martinis.

2006-05-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

for a good night's sleep last night.
:D

2006-05-09T21:57:00.000-07:00

that i remembered to do this here thingie today three minutes before it turned into the next day.

actually, that i didn't have to do any real work until the haze of sleepiness and grumpiness wore off. at 3:30 this afternoon.

2006-05-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

one trip. six hours. no problems.
i'm exhausted, and now i get to rest.

2006-05-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

i played hookey an' it was fun
(and without consequences)

2006-05-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

for today's reasonab-- reasonable-ness? is that a word?

2006-05-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

for this relaxed feeling I've got today. Dunno why.

2006-05-04T13:49:00.000-07:00

haircut day,
haircut day,
hey, everybody, it's haircut day!

2006-05-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

for the storm. here's hoping it keeps everyone away from the e.r. today.

2006-05-02T06:39:00.000-07:00

for a day of rest. and by that i mean a day of resting all day long.