I was lamenting the other day about all the things that are stressing me out, like I commonly do. Then it hit me; everything I've been stressing about in say, the last three months, has been taken care of. Let me count the ways:
1. My job at the school was ending, and I had no sight of a job (despite many, many applications being sent out into oblivion like thousands of others). Then, like magic, I got this on-call job with one of the counties that would be perfect for the interim.
2. When my on-call job was about to fail me in getting me enough hours to pay my bills and I was freaking out, I got a phone call. Result: I got a call for an interview for a job I'd applied for awhile back, and got it. I started the next week, right in time to get paid for my bills due. Magic.
3. This one is not so much a stressor, as it has been a lifetime dream. No joke or exaggeration. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Disneyland. I'm a closet Disney fanatic, well, not anymore. Low-and-behold, with the jobs I have and all the hours I've put in recently, I have enough money to pay for plane tickets. POOF! My dream is coming true.
There is a common theme to the three samples of my recent 'troubles'; money. In the words of Homer Simpson, "the cause of and solution too, all of life's problems". He was referring to beer, however I find a similar quality between the two. Too much and its all over.
Regardless of Homer's advice, this is not a new thing in my life. Stressing, especially stressing about money. I'm a planner, and often times things do not go as planned. I think my Aunt told me once, that I was born planning. This has been a common theme throughout my life, especially the last 5 or 6 years. I always freak out. Try to fix the problem in whatever way I can. Then I realize I've forgotten a crucial step to anything. Pray. It seems that God would have me learn the same lesson over and over again, or I just don't ever really get it. To trust in Him. "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23.18
So, I was eating a cupcake when it hit me; I've got it pretty good. Think about it, I was born in America, in the 80's, grew up with progressive technology and ideas, have a supportive family, got a college degree, have true friends, and live in a beautiful region. When I take away all the 'stress' that I feel like I am under. Not just the money issue, but career stuff, grad school stuff, relationship stuff, etc. Then I can truly see all the wonderful things that I have. So, keeping with themes, you'll find an abbreviated list of all of the things I'm thankful for (in no specific order).
1. Cheese- never met a cheese I didn't like
2. Sunshine- we had a wet and long spring, and a pretty sub-par summer in PDX (in my opinion) and I really enjoy when the Sun makes an appearance. Good old vitamin D.
3. Insurance that pays 100% for my glasses.
4. My church and community.
5. Friends visiting town.
6. Disney movies.
7. Facebook chatting with friends thousands of miles away.
8. Food carts and the goodies they create.
9. Seeing all the downtown buildings on my way to work.
10. Floating the river on a hot day.
11. Public transportation.
12. Video's of my niece laughing. Children laughing, in general.
13. Pumpkin pie, in July.
14. Concerts in the Zoo.
15. Raspberries.
16. The Saturday Market.
17. The fact there are two coffee shops within a 5 min. walk of my work.
18. Watching the Sunrise and the possibilities of a new day.
19. My family.
20. Cupcakes.
It is so often the small things in life that bring joy in life, right? What are you thankful for?
No comments:
Post a Comment