The Godfather of Soul

When I woke up this morning, I was hurting all over.  Even the bottom of my feet felt bruised.  I spent a little longer in bed than normal and then pushed myself to get moving.  While I was in the shower, this song came to me.



James really had something here.  I wasn't feeling like dancing, but the song made me bop a little bit and by the time I got into my car, my mind was in a much better place than my body.

Everybody has a different philosophy on how to get through this life.  Some pray.  Some meditate.  Some choose to numb themselves for the duration of the journey by overeating, doing drugs, or drinking.  But some, like The Godfather of Soul, make music and tell us to dance.

Today, I am thankful to James and his directive to "Get up offa that thing and dance til you feel better".

Awakened

The power at my house went off for a few minutes on Friday morning.  I remembered to set all of the clocks except I didn't reset the alarm time on my bedside clock.  This morning, I woke up at 6:35 which is about the time I normally get up.  The clock, of course, didn't go off.  Matilda didn't nudge me, asking to go outside.  I just woke up.  For that, I am truly thankful.

Click

This is a list of my top six goals in life.  I keep this post-it note on my laptop and have had it for some time now.  It's lost its stickiness, but for some reason I've held on to this instead of creating a new one.

Somewhere along the line, I stopped believing that any of these things could ever be possible and then yesterday, something clicked.  I told someone that I really wanted to go to Greece and in that moment, it seemed very possible.  Now I'm completely focused on making it happen.

Today I'm thankful for the click.

I'm Trying.

                         

I've been living in the same house for seven years.  I love this house.  The living room has these great columns that made me fall in love with the house.  The kitchen is a great size and has soft close drawers.  My bedroom is big and I have a guest room that I use as a sewing room. While the house has a few structural and design flaws (it had termites and the bathroom is terribly small), I really love this house.  It's comfy, cozy, and for the most part, fits me to a "T".

There's just one problem.  It isn't mine.

I rent this house and every couple of years, I get very frustrated with that fact.  I constantly dream of owning a home; a cute little house with a small yard.  A house that I can individualize with a bright yellow front door and fill with all of my favorite things.

I need to stop doing that to myself.

I need to change my mindset.

Just because I don't own this house doesn't mean that I can't make it my own.  I can't put a yellow door on it, but I can certainly paint a wall or two and unpack that last box that holds a few of my sentimental belongings.  I definitely can unclutter a few areas so that I don't feel stressed in my house.

I am working on shaking the notion that the current status quo isn't good enough and being more thankful for the space that I inhabit.

London Calling

My best friend and her family moved to London very recently.  The five hour time difference has been difficult for me to get used to because she's my every day talk/text/email friend.  I can't wait to visit her there. There were a lot of detailed logistics associated with this move, but she handled it all with ease.  I am thankful that this transition has been a smooth one for her.  I'm also thankful that she and her family will have this amazing year abroad. Photo Credit: Wikipedia (cc-by-as-2.5)

Kindness

I work with the public.  I see people when they are at one of their lowest points.  Today, I prepared someone for a very bad outcome.  Then, through no action of mine, the situation changed and the outcome was as positive as it could have been, given the circumstances.  The person was overjoyed, hugged me tight, and through her tears said, "Thank you for your kindness."

Her words really struck me.  I can't recall a time that anyone has ever specifically thanked me for my kindness.  I don't believe I treated her any differently than anyone else I worked with today, yet she thought I treated her with enough kindness to warrant a very specific thanks.

I was having a slightly difficult day until I encountered this woman.  I'm thankful that things worked out for her.  I'm also thankful for the words she chose to give to me.  Her thankfulness completely changed my day.

Adventurous Spirit

My mother is on a journey; one that I can say I wouldn't attempt, at least in the way she is doing it.  Mom has an adventurous spirit.  I'm not sure that she's always had it.  I think it's something she's acquired with age.  Whatever the case may be, I think I got a bit of that spirit too.  I've done a few things in my time that I look back on and wonder what made me attempt such a thing.  It must have been that adventurous spirit in my genes.  Thanks, Mom.

Drunk Driver Hit My Car

Last night around 10:30, there was a violent banging at my front door.  Even though there was an urgency to the knock, I decided to ignore it.  I figured that the only person that would be knocking at my door that late would be my crazy neighbor, who was undoubtedly drunk or high at that hour of the night.

The knock came again and Matilda went crazy.  Her loud, incessant barking blew my cover and I started to get a little scared.  Her barking combined with my car parked out front pretty much let everyone know that I was at home and ignoring the door.

The knock came again about a minute later and this time, my phone started ringing at the same time.  I was totally freaked.

"Uh...hello?"

"This is the City Police Department.  Is this..."

"Uh, yes..."

"Do yo still live at..."

"Uh, yeah.."

"Well, I have an officer knocking at your door right now. Would you please answer the door?  He needs to speak with you."

My fear was relieved, but then anxiety creeped in.

"M'aam, is this your car?"

"Yes.  What's wrong?"

"Would you come take a look at it for me?  A drunk driver hit a few cars on your street and we think he may have damaged your car."

My anxiety peaked and then quickly went away as he showed me the "damage" he had observed.

This is above the left rear tire.  The next picture is above the left front tire.  You can barely see the scrape.

The car down the street was all crunched and dented.

I am thankful that no one was hurt, that the damage to my car was minor, and that they were able to get the driver off the street before someone was killed.

I'm also thankful that the person at the door was an officer because when I went down the steps to answer the door, my dog, Matilda, decided to stay upstairs in the bed.  Some watch dog she is.

The End of a Long Short Week

Even though I only worked four days this week, it has felt like a particularly long week.  I am so thankful that the work week is over.  It's not like I have a work-free weekend.  I have a few obligations, but at least they all start later than 8:00 a.m.. I hope Matilda realizes that tomorrow is Saturday and lets me sleep in a little.  If she does, I'll be sure to be thankful for that tomorrow.  

Mom

Today, I learned that two friends experienced very significant losses.  I am sad for them both and have no idea what to say or do for either one of them.  I've never been good at these kinds of situations.   I'm the girl who will plan an event for you, or make you a quilt, or take care of some details that you shouldn't have to deal with during your grief.  I'm good at those things because I don't have to find consoling words. I can just let my actions speak for me.

It's hard to be thankful under these circumstances.   While I was thinking about what I was going to write about tonight, I called my mom and talked to her for awhile.

I'm thankful I could talk to my mom today.

This is my mom on the day of one of our best ever conversations.

Mountain of Steps

                            

My knee has been giving me trouble for the past few days.  Today, the steps in my house looked like a mountain to me.  I am thankful I was able to get up the steps without too much trouble tonight.  (That's Matilda at the top of the stairs, wondering what is taking me so long.)

The New Girl at Chipotle

I just returned from a very brief, but much needed vacation.  Money is now very tight until next week.

I went to Chipotle for lunch today.  There was a new girl working and she piled my bowl with lots of rice, beans, and chicken.  By the time my burrito bowl was complete, it was barely contained in the bowl.  I was hardly able to finish eating one little corner.  I had more than enough for dinner and had a hard time finishing it all.

Today, I am thankful for the new girl at Chipotle that gave me enough food for both lunch and dinner.

Rest

Today was a day of rest.  When I wasn't asleep, I was watching tv.  I am thankful to have had a relaxing day.

He Woke Me Up

My flight home leaves New Orleans at 6:55 a.m..  Last night's concert didn't end until after 1:00 a.m.. I have terrible anxiety about oversleeping and missing a flight, but even with that, I was able to get a quick nap and leave the hotel by 4:15 to get to the airport in plenty of time to avoid any last minute drama.

I am thankful that He let me get a little sleep AND that He woke me up on time.

I am also thankful that at this dark and early hour, he sent me a lady cab driver.

July 4th

Today, I am thankful for freedom.  The freedom not enjoyed by my ancestors; to go where I want and when I want, to think for myself, to read without it being a secret, to look any person in the eye and speak my mind, to worship any god I choose, to be considered a person and not property.

I am mostly thankful for the freedom to be me, whoever I might be.

(Maybe this should've been my Juneteenth post, but I've always reflected on The 4th this way.)

Simple

I had a good day.  For that, I am thankful.

Foresight

I'm thankful that I was able to think far enough ahead to take an extra day off to actually get prepared for my trip.  I'm also thankful that I know myself well enough to know that I wasn't going to feel like cooking this week and that I should make enough food over the weekend to last me for the week.

Foresight, what a wonderful thing.