Thankful Things

I’m an incurable idealist who will fight how things “should be” throughout my life.

It was a major turning point in my life when I learned this about myself (thanks to my friend, and former boss, Mark) – at first I tried to fight it. I’m glad he warned me I couldn’t “get over it” when he told me – that has proven to be true. It is a life sentence.

Still, I also have accepted the fact that the world isn’t ideal. It’s odd, because even though I am an idealist I also lean into reality. It’s hard to escape reality when you are a logical person who tears most things apart to get there.

Why is this on my mind during Thanksgiving?

I’m thankful for those who are honest about their truth – even about the areas of their lives that aren’t “perfect”. Especially about the areas of their lives that aren’t perfect.

I’ve learned I’m more often a fan of the imperfect than the ideal. I love when people tell their own secrets – especially when they tell them because they know when they speak up, it helps others. When they are vulnerable, and truthful, and transparent. We’re all going through our own stuff. Sharing not only helps us, but it helps others.

I used to try to survive in my idealistic bubble. Truly it was a much more pleasant world, but occasionally I was shocked that most don’t even strive for the ideal. Most people aren’t thinking about how their actions impact others – and those others include you.

I’m thankful for growth. I’m thankful for reality. I’m thankful for honesty. I’m thankful I’m not keeping my eyes closed to the realities of life. Maybe, just maybe, if I acknowledge it I can change it – and the world will get a bit more of the ideal.

You can’t truly change an idealist. But you can change the world.