thankful

The past week or so has been busy and stressful. I am preparing for a new assignment at work. We are developing a new program, I will be working with sex offenders. I had specialized training this past weekend, my brain is on information overload now. Compounding that with some ongoing concerns in my personal life, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. I have had to step back and take inventory of the blessings in my life. I have had to detach from some of the facts and just try to manage the things I can control.

No matter what I face, I can always find things to be thankful for. I am thankful that I have a job, especially one that I enjoy and that challenges me. I am thankful that I have children and grandchildren, even when I worry about their choices and well-being. I am thankful that J. is in my life, he offers me support and caring concern. I am stronger because of him. I am thankful that I have the understanding and empathy to see the plight of others less fortunate. I am thankful that, sometimes, I can choose to make a difference for those people. I am thankful for my dogs, who make me laugh and give me unconditional love. I am thankful for good friends, who help me and share burdens with me. I am thankful for this country, where I can speak my mind and exercise my right to vote. I am thankful for my mind, knowing I can reason through some problems and learn continually. I am thankful for my spirit, which does not allow me to give up. I am thankful for my blogs and my readers. I process through things as I journal and write, I receive encouragement and support from those, that find something worth reading here.

The computer has been my distraction of late. Reading blogs and watching videos, mixed in with mindless games and interactive sites. I have becomed hooked on FreeRice, I am a word junky and it is nice to think I am feeding the world, while feeding my addiction. I also wanted to include one of my all time favorite videos (at least this week).



I like the philosophy of comparing the frivolity of unnecessary spending with how we can make a difference in the world. In 2007, Viagra's sales were 1.76 billion dollars. I will not go so far as to say this was unnecessary spending, but that is an extraordinary amount of money. Add in the amount spent on face lifts, breast augmentation, and unhealthy fast food and I am sure we could solve the ills of the world.