What A Difference 2 Years Makes

A recent Facebook flashback took me to a blog post I wrote in 2012 when I was first starting my gratitude practice.  Looking at this old blog, it hit me that my last post on it was May 2014, over 2 years ago.  A lot can happen in two years.  A lot.  I've had triumphs and I've had tragedies.  I've gained weight; I've lost weight.   I've filled up more gratitude journals (currently on #8) and tried to peg down some of my struggles so that I can work through them.   Here are some things I've taken away from my last 2 years of blog hiatus. 

1.  Life is too short
I was an orphan already (Mom in 1983, Dad in 2010), but I also lost my stepmother in 2015 after a nearly 2 year battle with cancer.  Friends of mine lost their parents as well.  We never have long enough with those we love.  Never.  I could spend 1,000 years with those I love and I would say it's not enough time (well, maybe I might get sick of them...)

2.  Gratitude just makes things better 

I started a regular gratitude practice in 2012.  I still have bad days.  I still have times when that gratitude is hard.  But you know what?  If I can latch onto just one aspect for which to be grateful, I can pull myself out of the anxiety and stress and sadness.  It took me years to be able to do this.  It is easy to jump onto the negativity train and choo-choo into Grumpyville when something doesn't go my way.  I have a journal in which I write at least 10 things for which I'm grateful most days (occasionally I don't have time or am too tired).  To be able to say, "I am grateful that [insert bad thing here] happened because it was [a learning experience, a cue to change my behavior, a valuable lesson, etc.]" is very difficult, especially in the midst of said bad thing.  I confess that I'm not always successful, but I recover so much easier these days.  Not to mention, if I can't be grateful for the bad things, I can at least go back and look at all the GOOD in my life.  I am blessed beyond measure.  When I lose sight of that, I reread some of the 7 completed gratitude journals and I remember...

3.  Patience pays off and sometimes detours are learning experiences

Me waiting for my dreams to come true

In 1993, when I graduated college, my dream was to be an ELA teacher in middle school in the county in which I live.  No ELA jobs in 1993.  Then, I had babies.  Working in non-public schools.  Got my master's degree in Special Education.  Worked for 12 years in the county school system as a special education teacher.  Then, last year, 22 years after I graduated, 22 years after I set that goal, it became a reality. Yet, without that wait, I would never have had some of the wonderful students I came into contact with as a special education teacher, nor would I have the skills in differentiating my lessons that I now have. 
 I also have wanted to drop the extra poundage that I've been carrying since my oldest was born (nearly 22 years ago--maybe I should play the number 22 on my next Lotto ticket).  I was finally able to make some headway this year, and just bought a size I haven't seen since I was 20 years old.  I had to be committed.  I also got a pretty fun running habit (really, it's great!) in my quest.   My advice is to look at detours as learning experiences and be patient.  Dreams and goals have a way of working themselves back into your life. 

4.  Laughter really is the best medicine. 

Have you laughed today?

When I can find the humor in a situation, I do so much better.  Really, who doesn't like a good belly laugh once in awhile?  My favorite memories with friends, family ,etc. involve laughing our asses off. 


*  So that's just 4 of the little life lessons I've been learning since I last wrote.  Who knows when I will write again?