Reasons to Feel Good

Jackie ♦ January 28, 2009 ♦ 3 Comments

Whispers and rumbles of economic uncertainty and global unrest seem unavoidable these days, and while so far we have only been marginally affected, it gets harder and harder to think that will remain true. Since I quit soda I’ve been sleeping better and feeling less anxious, and while I’ve never been one for a gratitude journal or meditation or any of those things, I also do acknowledge that sometimes I need to remind myself to stay grounded and focused on the small stuff. Dawn recently posted things she felt good about, so I’m following suit.

1. At both of my jobs, I’m fortunate enough to work with some pretty amazing people. In the years right after the girls were born when I was adjuncting at night, I rarely interacted with anyone else who did the work I did, and now that I do, it really makes working more pleasant. We trade books, jokes, recipes and stories about kids and spouses, and both jobs are the more congenial for it.

2. I’m really enjoying blogging since I re-dedicated myself to it as an endeavor. I feel like I’m more purposeful, and that has invigorated my desire to write, and I love returning to a regular practice of writing.

3. We’re taking a short vacation together this upcoming weekend, which is very unusual for us. We didn’t take a honeymoon, and since the girls were born we’ve taken family trips, and gone to a lot of weddings, but no real adults-only trips. My mother-in-law surprised us with this trip for our anniversary, which is February 2nd, so expect a period of silence at the end of this week, hopefully followed by a spate of photo-blogging.

4. My girls are bustling, creative, funny, kind little kids, despite all the times I snapped at them or ignored them in favor of whatever novel I was reading at the time .

5. My husband is very busy these days between work and law school, but he is still my partner and my best friend, and I still feel very lucky to have stumbled into such a lovely and special relationship.

6. While I often feel overwhelmed, and like I’m struggling to keep it all together, I am so lucky to have so many great opportunities in my life, so many people I want to spend more time with, and to be surrounded by support wherever I turn.

7. I have some really amazing friends, and lately whenever I have made friendly overtures to acquaintances in my daily travels, they have reached back with welcoming hands.

8. Our sweet Rosemary kitten is home!