Whew! We made it to January and a new year. Now that things have quieted down a little, January is a good time to reflect on what you’re thankful for. You may be saying we did that at Thanksgiving. Did you? Did you really take the time or were you getting ready for the next holiday and didn’t have the time to truly sit down, breathe, and think about how blessed you really are. Looking back over the past few months, I feel thankful about quite a few things.
All Those Christmas Cards
If grace is a word to describe undeserved love and favor, my pile of Christmas cards is certainly a sign of grace. I have never been one who was big on sending out Christmas cards. I have to write something if I am sending a card, I can’t just sign my name. If I were to write Christmas cards to everyone in December, that would mean that I would not get anything else done. So, I appreciate all who take the time to give those beautiful cards. I love getting pictures of family and friends and letters updating me on how their year went. They remind me how precious family and friends truly are.
Good Health
Almost four decades ago I had my first surgery to remove my thyroid. I never knew how such a little part of my body controlled so much. I have Hashimoto’s so my my metabolism runs low, meaning there is a tendancy to gain weight since you don’t have a lot of energy. There are other symptoms that you also try to live with.
On this journey, doctors have tried to regulate my metabolism and hormones. I still don’t feel like I have the energy to function to my fullest potential in life. A few years ago I went on a health program that did make me feel better about myself. I lost 40 pounds and was more conscious of what I was putting in my body. It made me grateful that I do have some control over my body. I can help make it function better despite what disease the doctors tell me that I have.
This past fall, I decided to have foot surgery since my foot was starting to hurt by the end of the day. I had developed a good habit of getting so many steps in a day and having surgery was going to put a big dent in this. I felt like I had better do something before it was too painful to walk at all. I forgot to mention that it was my right foot, so it was going to be a bigger sacrifice since that meant no driving for at least a month. At first, I thought I would be able to walk after a few days and wouldn’t need anyone’s help. Let me tell you, it was humbling to ask for rides to work and to events.
What I learned with my health is that if you are recovering from surgery or a health crisis, don’t rush it. Do what is necessary to get healed and don’t hurry the process. Ask for help no matter how humbling it may feel. How often do you slow down in this busy world? I know I need to do it more often.
The Weather
Remember those hot sweltering summer days when you yearned for relief in an air-conditioned oasis? They’re here and you don’t have to flick a switch or worry about BTUs—just go outside. Due to my thyroid issues, my body temperature runs on the cold side most of the time. Besides that, I still enjoy brief moments outside on a cold winter’s day to wake me up and get my blood pumping. It always makes me grateful that I can go inside to find some heat through a blanket or flowing through the air ducts. Glory in the seasons. I live where we experience all four seasons. It makes you grateful for the season you enjoy the most. It also makes you grateful that the one you like the least will be over in a few months.
My Family
I come from a family of eleven- five older brothers, an older sister and two younger sisters and both my parents. Yes, my parents stayed with us through it all. I am amazed at the excellent education we received and how they provided for us. There was always something going on with that many people in one house. I am still close to to a few of my siblings today. We know that we have each other’s support through the good and bad times. There are things that I wish were different growing up, but the important thing is to not dwell on that but to make new memories. Cherish the people in your life and learn from them.
The New Year
Thank God for a clean slate, a chance to start over. Got your New Year’s resolutions? I believe in little ones, not those big ones that overwhelm you by January 3rd. Faced with getting older every year and more to remember, I’ve decided to take up memorizing positive phrases. It helps me have a positive outlook. Got something new you want to try? A recipe, a book, a hobby? The calendar is clean, waiting for you. It’s a new day, every day, with a chance to start over.
Happy New Year! Happy New You!
Resource: https://www.guideposts.org/blog/5-things-to-be-thankful-for-in-january