Day 47: Addiction Empathy + Momma

Today I learned...
...having had an eating disorder makes me understand alcoholism really, really well. Of course, I've made the correlations before. If I struggled with an addictive sort of mental illness in the past, it makes sense that I would be empathetic towards people who struggle with alcoholism. But tonight, watching the new movie Flight (Denzel Washington) with Rick, I realized that I watched the whole movie with a hyper-empathetic social worker lense. And I totally connected to the place the main character comes from, not because I learned about it in books and graduate classes, but because I GET IT. Now, I'm not going to pretend that I know what it's like to be a person with alcoholism. I don't. Yet, I tend to be a lot more understanding regarding addictions than the typical world at large...because the pain that happens when something is so terribly out of your control is a feeling I once knew too well.


Today I am thankful for...
...seeing my mom at lunch. Since I work down the street, I popped over at lunch time to see my parents. I showed my mom some flash mobs from One Billion Rising. Her response: "I want to do it with you next year!"

Day 27: Beliefs + Lunch

Today I learned...

...that the bulletin board in my writing room is a true reflection of myself and my beliefs. I was cleaning the room today in preparation for an interview that may take place in it, since it's where I do most of my work. With fresh eyes, I took in everything in the room, in the event that any of it might be on TV. I noticed so many sayings, like, "Let your past make you better, not bitter," and "Stop judging. Start loving," and "Each new day is another chance to change your life." These sayings are colorfully placed on my cork board along with many others...and I'm proud to say I can stand by them. 

Today I am thankful for...

...lunch with my dad. It was just us, something that never happens. Unfortunately, my mom is sick...but I am grateful that the chance to be alone with my dad was the opportunity that resulted.

Day 12: Parents + Cats

Today I learned...
...that parents sometimes know just what to say to ease the mind. Something I didn't think would pan out, will! Thanks, mom & dad.

Today I am thankful for...
...the unwavering and sweet love of my cats. They make me smile, they calm me down, and they recharge my batteries. They both snuggled in my lap after a long day and even when Juice went on to do her own thing, Tumbler remained steadfast, never leaving my chair. He's been here for close to 4 hours now, and I may have to be the first to crack and get up.

Day 5: Marriage + Les Mis

Today I learned...
...that "for better or for worse" is not just a line in a marriage ceremony vow. Living with a man who is in excruciating, unnatural, horrible pain is hard for me...but it is harder for him. And while it means some trying times and some real sadnesses, it's part of marriage. It may not be part of everyone's marriage, but it is part of OUR marriage. He struggles every day and yet does so much. He gets down, and I try to boost his spirits. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. Sometimes I am up to the challenge and sometimes I get tired. But I love him, "for better or for worse." I tend not to talk about the "worse," specifically because it is private, especially for Rick. But like I told him last night, "for better or for worse" means I am HERE, next to him, ready to be present through his pain and his sorrow. Better together than alone.

Today I am thankful for...
...the chance to see Les Miserables in theater with my mom and my sister-in-law. It was fantastic, as I suspected it would be, having seen the Broadway show and read the amazing book by Victor Hugo. It is full of lessons and emotion. And - going along with my above lesson - as Victor Hugo wrote, and Jean Valjean sang, "To love another person is to see the face of God!"

Day 1: Mothers + Sleds

And here we are... the first day of a brand new project: Project Positive Thinking. 

I am thankful for the year behind me and ready to embrace the year ahead of me.

Today I learned...

...that you are never too old to need your mother. I spent the afternoon with mine and I really needed it.

Today I am thankful for...

...Rick buying me a sled at a toy store. At 28 years old, I have never been sledding. A travesty, I know....yet it's true. I have never been sledding and he is going to take me this winter.