Monday, January 9, 2012

gratitude

I have spent too much time this week feeling sorry for myself thinking I was unappreciated, undeserved, overworked and underpaid.  Pretty sure it's all hormonally related but nonetheless it was ridiculous and real.  I haven't been feeling very well.  The good times are great but when I have the bad times they are much worse.  New symptoms that just plain ol suck.  Normally I will allow myself to throw a pity party for 20 minutes tops.  After that, whatever I was bummed out about I must fix it or move on.  To me, there is nothing worse than looking back at the end of the day realizing I was pouting for most of it.  It means I wasn't present or soaking in the beauty.  It means I was letting my family down.  It means I wasn't fun to be around.  I can't get that day back and now I can't get the week back.  It feels wasted.
I realized I wasn't paying enough attention to what I am grateful for.  I was focusing too much on what I didn't have and not enough on what I do have.  I looked back on my week and realized how much wonderfulness I had right in front of me.


I am grateful for the beautiful sunrises every morning.


I am grateful for the amazing 80 degree weather we have been having... in January!


I am grateful that we can run through the sprinklers... in January!


I am grateful this beauty is my daughter.


I am grateful she can scratch her own back.


I am grateful she likes vegetables from our garden.


I am grateful I can always count on this goofball to put a huge smile on my face.

I have no reason to throw a pity party around my family, even for 20 minutes.  If I need to, I will save it for night time when everyone is asleep because lets face it... that's not a party anyone wants to go to.

*** check out the buttons on the top right of this page... I added a Facebook page, Twitter (which I haven't even figured out yet) and Pinterest... I'm all over this social media now***
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20 comments:

  1. Katie @ minivan divaJanuary 9, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    Great pics, Karen. I was loving the warmer weather too. I'm sorry you were feeling in a funk, but I'm glad you are on the upswing now. xoxo

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  2. grey rose (they/them)January 9, 2012 at 7:13 AM

    beautiful photos! thanks for the heart check:) grateful for YOU.

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  3. The Olive Tree BlogJanuary 9, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    we have been having great weather too! Yucky-ness is never fun, but everyone goes though it ;) Glad you can look at all the wonderful things in your life!

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  4. BriannaJanuary 9, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    I'm bad with the pouty thing. When i'm having my moments I need to do just this - step back and appreciate all that I am grateful for.

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    That last picture cracks me up! :o) I am very jealous of your 80 degree weather. I'm sure people up north would laugh at me, but when it's 50 degrees, I'm bundled up like a snow storm is going to hit. :o)

    Everyone pouts/feels sorry for themselves sometimes. Don't feel bad. I think it's healthy, as long as you don't dwell on it and let it ruin your day. If we ignored everything that bothered us, it would eventually come back to bite us. Giving yourself some time to sort it out is a good thing. :o)

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  6. KellyJanuary 9, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    i had the worlds biggest pitty party on friday morning even my mother in law saw it. not good. now no one is letting me live it down.
    as always i love your outlook. i think i'm going to save my pitty parties for late at night when i'm alone, and probably by putting it off till then what ever i was mopey about will probably vanish.
    love ya karen!

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  7. MamasitaJanuary 9, 2012 at 10:30 AM

    Love this post!!! Way to look at the glass as half full and focus on gratitudes! :)

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  8. MarliJanuary 9, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    yay for blessings! :) i hope you have a wonderfully magnificient day. ;D

    xo
    purposelyathome.blogspot.com

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  9. Content Director - Strong Female LeadersJanuary 9, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    Such a beautiful message. We all need to appreciate what we have more.

    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

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  10. henning loveJanuary 9, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    you have an amazing attitude karen. and we all have pity parties every now and then, it is ok. and i love all the amazing reasons why you pull yourself out of a pity party. wow freedom's hair is so long!

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  11. HolliJanuary 9, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    I love this post!!! :) Your sunshine attitude is infectious Karen....

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  12. SusanJanuary 9, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    How have I never stumbled across your sweet blog before?
    Stopping by from TheOliveTree ~ love your blogger header.
    And I am so with you on this post.

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  13. laurenJanuary 9, 2012 at 2:24 PM

    grateful he can scratch his own back--- made me laugh. :) it really is about perspective isn't it? the minute i think i really know something i cock my head and take a fresh perspective and realize it changes everything. thanks for the timely reminder!! :)

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  14. MicheleJanuary 9, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    Awesome photos and captions! It's okay to feel bummed and sad about new symptoms that suck. You always encourage me with your amazing attitude. Praying for you!

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  15. My-cliffnotesJanuary 9, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    Love the photos!! 80 degress man on man I need to move. It's like 35 here. Burr

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  16. StephanieJanuary 9, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    I think you are allowed a pity party every once in a while. But you are so right...there are so many beautiful things to be thankful for. Thinking of your and your family.

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  17. Kristine@thefoleyfamJanuary 10, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    I agree! Pity parties are lame-o! BUT sometime you DESERVE to have one! They're healthy! Been following your blog for sometime now and I always leave here feeling inspired! Love this post as usual :) Have a great day!

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  18. Rebecca January 10, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Running through the sprinklers in Jan....this winter is the strangest. You get 80's we get 40's. I'm not complaining one bit.....long dark winters put a damper on my disposition. I am grateful for you :)
    Praying for you tonight.

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  19. KerryJanuary 10, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Hahaha I love how you wrote that you're all over this social media thing now :)
    I have a day like this at least once a month and I can't stand myself for it. But such is life I guess, we are human beings full of emotion. If it weren't for the pity party for 20 mins I guess we wouldn't see the rainbow through the sprinkler or the love all around us. You acknowledge you do it, you just need to forgive yourself for it too. xo

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  20. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    love the doggies!!!!

    your newest follower:)

    http://www.angela2bunnie.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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