Thankfulness & Such

Oh I know, another post about thankfulness coincidentally written around the time of Thanksgiving, how original!
. . . Just hang with me for a second, please?

Being thankful takes a dose of daily effort, folks.  It is a conscious decision YOU need to make for yourself each and everyday, not just during this time of year.  I know that sometimes it's hard, because you get sucked into the mindset of jealousy, greed, or desire, but we cannot let that mindset take precedent over the truth: we have SO much to be thankful for! Don't believe me? Here, let me start a little list for you --

• First thing's first: we are deeply loved by the God who created the entire universe.  If that doesn't fill your heart with thankfulness, I don't know what will. 

• Secondly: I'm assuming you live in the greatest country on God's green earth just like I do - the United States of America.  We have so many rights that we take for granted on a daily basis; and yes I am guilty of over looking them too.  As Americans, we need to take it upon ourselves to participate in protecting as well as running our country, and consciously being thankful is the first step towards achieving that. 

• Thirdly: you're reading this right now, aren't you? If not, someone is reading it aloud to you.  Either  A) you have eyes and a brain in good enough shape to comprehend this piece of text   -or-   B) you have the ability to hear it being read to you. Being able to see, hear, and comprehend things is an amazing gift that we humans do not thank God for enough. 

• Fourthly: my second assumption of the evening is that you have some (most likely many) people in your life who   l o v e   you quite dearly.  Take care of these people, pour love and kindness into them as they do to you.  They are more important than that new expensive jacket you want, the stress burned over thin finances, or worrying about your most recent exam.  All those things will fade away as life moves on, your loved ones will not. 

• And lastly: stop what you're doing and look around you.  If you're in an office or a building right now (like I am), go look out the window or step outside. How stunningly beautiful is creation?  Take a moment to notice small details, and realize what a wonderful world we have the privilege of living in. 

Alright, you've reached the near end of my cliche, month-of-Thanksgiving post about thankfulness -- was that so bad?  I just think there is an importance in making sure we recognize these things we so often take for granted.  

On a completely separate side-note, my new apartment is working out even better than I had hoped! And yes, it does have a working heater & hot water. . . sure, our oven doesn't work and the toilet in my bathroom is (already) having some issues, but overall it has been just what I needed.  Almost one week down in the new place! 

Another quick update for y'all -- only 12 more days till my man arrives in CO! How exciting is that?! 

Anyhow, I hope you all have a great weekend . . . Go out & do something fall-ish. 

xoxo, lauren