Ever have a day where you just need to change your attitude, but don’t know how? If so, take some advice from my wife. She has a crazy way of helping me change my perspective and attitude when I need an adjustment. She came up with a little game where she say’s “Give me 10 things you are thankful for.” My response is typically, “I don’t want to do this right now…”, which gives her more validation that I need to go through the exercise. After some cajoling, she wins the argument and I list the things I’m most thankful for at that moment. With that in mind, I wanted to share my list with you today:
1) I am thankful for my wife. She makes each day fun and unique. She’s my best friend and I can’t imagine waking up every day next to anyone else.
2) I am thankful for my family. I know that not everyone gets along with their family. I wish they could and would. Both Rebecca and I have all our immediate family within 20 minutes of our home. That is unique. I’m grateful I can run over to have lunch with my nieces at school. I’m grateful that I am still “cool enough” for my 12 year old nephew to be seen with!
3) I am thankful for our business. Our lives revolve around photography and building relationships. In my head I’ve figured out how to connect my business with the idea of a game. I am glad I am in charge of the score at the end of the day.
4) I am thankful for grace, salvation and God’s work in my life. Even when I think I’m in charge, I’m really just part of His plan.
5) I am thankful for friendship. We get to spend time with some of the greatest people ever. If I look back at what I thought our group of friends would look like, I would have never have picked them. However, God in his wisdom knew better and surrounded us with a group of people that just fits.
6) I am thankful for a roof over my head. Winters in Michigan can be brutal. This year has been fairly mild, but there are people who don’t have a place to call home.
7) I am thankful for running water! I love hot showers.
8) I am thankful for smiling. “Smiling’s my favorite.” See video below.
9) I am thankful for the ability to read. Everyday gives me the chance to learn something new! Books have opened a whole new world to me.
10) I am thankful for waking up today. This morning, someone else didn’t.
What we consider to be our struggles can sometimes be small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. So make your own list and share it with as many people as possible. Stop to pick up a phone and rekindle a long lost relationship. Enjoy a minute of silence. Savor a cup of great coffee…or in my case hot chocolate. Life’s too short to live with your feathers ruffled all the time.
