A Grateful Heart

Wow. Life has been changing full-speed. As these changes happen, I find myself caught up in my own personal concerns and stresses 24/7- settling into my new home, making friends in a new city, even finding a routine with my awkward working hours... Many days, I am all I think about. I complain about the parts of my life I don't like, I congratulate myself when I succeed- every decision revolves around Danae.

This week, i came across what seems to be a foreign concept in my self-absorbed world. This concept is gratitude. Needless to say, I realized immediately this was something lacking from my daily reflections. What daily reflections? In fact, lately, all I've done is complain, I don't even sit back and think about anything! Molly, a mother, writer, blogger who I have kept up with lately has recently done an guest blogger interview where she talked a lot about self reflection and gratitude. This particular answer stuck with me.

How do you see gratitude or mindfulness? Is this a daily practice? I think both gratitude and mindfulness cause me to slow down. And often to re-evaluate. When they are absent from my life it feels like time is slipping away. I feel wanty. And long for things that I think everyone else has. I feel sorry for myself. But when my heart and mind are rooted in gratitude, my perspective, my peace and my attitude changes. And I'm suddenly struck by all the goodness that I have.

I could fully relate to the wanty-ness that one feels when gratitude and mindfullness are absent. I would place myself in this category many days. Molly talked about how she aims to instill a grateful attitude in her children by having them write/draw in a "Gratitude journal" daily. I thought, "what a simple but endlessly valuable practice." Today I have started my own gratitude journal in an effort to bring more reflection and thankfullness into my life. I do more than my share of complaining, but there are so many things to be appreciated in my life.

Here is just a glimpse:
-my Dad: He had a conference in my city this week, so he stayed in my living room for 2 nights. Having company to visit with was so wonderful... and he also helped me with a few fix-it type jobs. Dad's are so special and I think mine just takes the cake. He improved my mood just by being here, and helped me to realize how blessed I am to have such a wonderful, caring, loving family. They take care of me.
-my coworkers: not only have we been working out together after work, but last night, someone brought in their guitar and post-workout, we just chilled in the stretching area, having a little sing-along. It was impossibly fun, and I hope I will have (and take) the opportunity to spend more time with these people outside of work.
-SUNSHINE: I have huge windows here, and my 2 plants are absolutely thriving! Even in these rainiest of days!

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

music thing

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, iPod on shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

You must write that song name down no matter how silly it sounds!

If someone says "Is this okay?" you say?
cupid- michael kaeshammer

How would you describe yourself?
west broadway- michael kaeshammer

What do you like in a guy/girl?
*oh man, this is bad* Easy (acoustic)- Barenaked Ladies

How do you feel today?
ready to love again- lady antebellum

What is your life's purpose?
Extraordinary Way- Conjure One

What is your motto?
Gotta have you- the weepies

What do your friends think of you?
It looks like love- Josh Rouse

What do you think about very often?
Scattered Leaves- The be good Tanyas

What do your parents think about you?
The way I feel- Matt Wertz

What is 2 + 2?
FIsh this week- michael Kasehammer *is this actually random, i feel there shouldn't be 3 songs by the same artist already*

What do you think of your bestie? (On a side note...'bestie'...really?)
Perfect Day- Lady Antebellum

What do you think of the person you like?
Lovelight

What is your life story?
Pink CHampagne- Venus Hum

What do you want to be when you grow up?
angel Tonight- leigh nash

What do you think when you see the person you like?
if you love somebody set them free *interesting...

What song will they play @ your wedding?
It looks like love- josh rouse

What will they play @ your funeral?
arizona- adrienne pierce

What is your hobby/interest?
Down home girl- old crow medicine show

What is your biggest fear?
boogie woogie stomp

What is your biggest secret?
something 'bout a woman

What do you think of your friends?
bie mir bist du schon *and i have no idea what that means

What will you title this blog?
the compromise- the format

And now! With more questions!

What do you think about love?
glory of love

How do you feel about others?
snow at lake simcoe

How will you die?
gotta have you- the weepies

What is your biggest flaw?
dusty blues

What is your best trait?
fall on my knees- abigail washburn

What do others think of you?
iroquois st. factory- melissa mclelland

Who are you?
stars tonight- lady A *apparently i have a small selection of music

Why are you here?
the way i feel- matt wertz

What do you find romantic?
i wish i knew

What do you think is sexy?
dead man (carry me)- jars of clay

Got a job!
yes, an exercise therapist. full time AND permanent!
moved to Regina a week ago.
i like it.
i'm playing on a touch football team there and officially moving into my place in about a week. (July 1). Until then, I am in my aunt and uncles guest room.
officially long distance relationship. its different, and hard at times, but we're both up for the challenge.
officiating a triathlon tomorrow.
need sleep.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I PASSED my exam. hurray! so now i have some decisions to make. i currently have a summer job, and another offer of a different full-time position... both of which don't recognize my degree and certifications. so, i continue the job hunt- but it should be simpler this time around, as there is a much clearer picture of what i want/am qualified to be doing!!

Certified Exercise Physiologist?

Today I am doing the final preparation and studying for my CEP exam. Tomorrow morning at precisely 9am I will be writing the biggest exam of my life. Please say a little prayer. This certifcation means a lot to me, and I have been preparing for this exam for a very long time! I'm praying that my memory will not fail me.

God grant me supernatural undertsanding and recall of everything I have learned in the last 5 years! Your will be done. Amen.

quote

"It's a peculiar thing, isn't it, that as human beings we can prefer the safety of cages to the hazards of freedom?"

Ramblings

Well more snow was on the agenda today. I don't mind. It was a little chilly walking outside in my sweater because I did not take note of the blustery conditions on time to change my choice of clothing! But I survived. And then I survived the slippery drive to the gym this morning, and a skidding stop at an intersection (thankfully none of us collided). I spent the afternoon studying in the warmth and comfort of my living room. I feel like I was very productive (even had time for a quick nap during Steven and Chris!) Now the sun is glistening off the fast-melting snow and I look forward to a mellow evening of not quite sure what. Evenings are always so much more enjoyable when your incomplete to-do list is not looming over your head. Yay. I got them all checked off today!

This is my life. Days-off consist of to-do lists, and days-on consist of hectic scheduling that leave no room for even a hint of flexibility. I imagine this is everybody's life. I guess it's what we do, and if I'm honest, it's what I love. Schedules and to-do lists, check marks and filled in day-planner pages- it makes me smile. I live for consistency and routine. It's comfortable and it's predictable and it's safe. Is that lame? Sometimes I think I should actually be 80 years old. haha.

Remember the quote I mentioned WAY back in the beginning of this blog?

"Part of me wonders if our stories aren't being stolen by the easy life." (this book)

Part of me wonders this about my life every day! But part of me loves this easy life and I'm not sure I would change it, even if I knew how.

What would you do? If there was no reason to be responsible, if money was not an issue and your future was not at stake... what adventure would you take? What adventure would I take? And why don't I believe that God is big enough to keep the details under control? Here's another quote from the same book...

"[Fear] is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life." (same book)

The last question I leave you with is this...

Is boring such a bad thing?