Thanks and Gratitude

Not many people know that I have kept a gratitude journal for about eight years now. Every night I write something that I am thankful for from the day. I saw it on the Oprah show many years ago and when I was in Gettysburg I started doing it. It is a great way to always be looking for the positive in life. It’s also a great gauge on how life is faring for me at the moment – if it takes me a long time to think of something to be thankful for that day then it’s usually a sign that all is not right in my life and I need to reassess what I’m doing and where I’m at.

As I prepare for this big journey the things I am thankful for in life are overflowing. I know that it is only because of the generosity, flexibility, patience, kindness and encouragement from many people in my life that I’ve been able to seek out this opportunity and go for it. For that reason I feel compelled to share some thanks before I embark on this journey.

I’m thankful to my parents for encouraging me to always try new things and never discouraging me even if, at times, they didn’t understand my choices (I think they finally understand that the work world really has changed and me switching careers every 3-4 years is not necessarily a sign of indecisiveness or flightiness). I’m thankful for my grandparents being able to give my sister and me money to pay for part of college so that both of us could get out of school without any debt – I definitely couldn’t take this job if I had debt.

I’m thankful for employers, co-workers and friends that can see beyond job titles and credentials and see the whole of one’s experience and skills and how they can apply in multiple fields and environments.

I’m thankful for all the experiences in life that have expanded my comfort zones, and successfully battled my easily out of control tendency to worry, worry, worry. I’m thankful for my planning and organization skills, my thorough attention and capacity for crazy amounts of details, and my training and teaching skills. All of the above will not only help me to succeed in this job but to help me enjoy it as well.

I’m thankful to my mom for dealing with all of my crap at her house as I prepare and pack. I’m thankful to Becky, Danny, Mark and Trista for understanding why I will miss so many things this year in life and loving me anyway.

I’m thankful for my dad and his sense of adventure and love of travel – it makes me feel much less crazy when I want to run around the world two more times (maybe the travel bug is hereditary??). I’m thankful for my friend Karen and how she has inspired me with her own adventurous choices in life (and really “getting” why I make the choices I do).

I’m thankful for all the friends I’ve made along the way that make the effort to stay connected even when life takes us in very different directions – the Algonquin gang, Towson friends, Gordy/Morris/Sweeney families, etc – these friendships are comforting because whether it’s one month, one year or even five years a part – just a few minutes together and we slip back into an easy, comfortable friendship. I’m thankful for all of the friends I have such a long history with – sharing the good, the bad and the ugly and seeing each other through to the other side no matter how much we have evolved differently in the process is a pretty rare and precious thing (Becca has it really been 15 years??). I’m thankful too for all of the friends that encourage me and support me along the way (Jenny and Susan your letters were a touching comfort last time around). I’m thankful for my friends in Philly that are already proving to be more than just “friends of convenience” (Laura and Chris –thanks for driving to the beach this weekend). I’m thankful for Mark and Trista not only including me in their family unconditionally but offering me a place in their home upon my return. I’m thankful to my sister and Danny and my mom for also offering space for me in their homes. Being so unsettled can be unsettling and stressful but having so many people offering options makes me feel loved (and less like a unemployed loser).

And thanks to all of you for cheering me on, reading my journals and sharing my journals. Writing them has always helped me to feel more connected to home and I’m glad that so many people have enjoyed them.