Simply Thankful

I learned a long time ago that being thankful is a choice.

We all have our stuff. There are no perfect lives. Even those that look pristine from the outside, just may have a lot going on inside.

Being thankful has us looking for the good. Being grateful for the little things, the big things, and all the things in-between. Relishing the gifts of our life, big and small.

I’m critical by nature. I walk around and see the bad and the good, or as I identify bad and good. It’s natural to me. I don’t feel any drama in it. My parents taught us to do it, and encouraged it. It’s probably why my siblings and I tend to make good decisions in our lives and don’t get over-emotional about most things. Changing that aspect of myself is probably not only impossible, but not something I want to do. I enjoy that part of myself.

I’ve found, though, that many others don’t look at the world the same way. They believe this critical assessment is more dramatic than it feels to me. In my mind it is simply logical – in theirs it can be emotional and when I am critical, personal.

How does one deal with this? I don’t want to offend, but also want to be fully myself.

If I pay more attention to others – and try to take their temperature when it comes to my critical nature – that can help. I can love something, despite being critical of parts of it. Others don’t see the world that way. Obviously I want to respect them and keep them from being uncomfortable. When with them I need to be more verbal about the shiny, lovely side and let that negative side remain dormant.

Truthfully, though, I won’t be able to maintain that all of the time. Those who care for us should know, and accept, the real us. We can lean into one side of our personality to get along, but shouldn’t have to hide it all the time. Someone else’s perception of my negatives does not necessarily match my own. At this point in my life, I like me – and want to spend my time with those that like me, too. All of me.

I’m thankful for my life. I marvel at the goodness that surrounds me. It’s far from a perfect life and not what I envisioned for myself in the early years of adulthood, Sometimes you get what you need instead of what you thought you wanted.

How does life become good? By being grateful and celebrating wherever you are at the moment. Wherever life takes you. Embracing the positives and accepting the negatives. Yes, in my world it’s fine to acknowledge negatives and still see beauty through the flaws.

I choose to bask in joy and gratefulness for my beautiful, glorious life. No matter the circumstances, I believe all of life is an amazing gift. I am thankful.