“I count my blessings, instead of sheep…”

My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas. There is a scene in the movie where Rosemary Clooney can’t sleep Bing Crosby sings a song to her that goes, “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep. Then I fall asleep, counting my blessings.”

Sage advice.

My personal life is a little crazy right now. 2012 has been hard on my family. Without going into much detail, it has kind of sucked. But I’m trying to remember to count my blessings instead of focusing on the troubles in my life.

So, in no particular order they are:

I’m thankful for my wonderful friends and family.
I’m thankful for my local tumblrs. Lindsay, Holli, Sarah, Victoria and Steph and I are having a girls night Friday night. Lindsay has an apartment with an indoor pool AND a hot tub. There will be yummy food and wine and good times! I’m so excited! These ladies are amazing and I love spending time with each of them. Who would have that people I had never met a year ago would be some of my dearest friends?They make this journey even more amazing!

I’m thankful for Brooke. For many reasons; for her contest that is helping me reach my 20 mile a week until the year ends goal. And for the way she said “sorry.” When we were in Chicago, my Canadian friend would say that word and it would make me giggle. I’m also thankful that I will (hopefully) get to run another (half) marathon with her in Fargo in May! I’m also so glad she’s my friend.

I’m thankful for this guy. David is one of the funniest people I have ever met. His posts make my day. Follow him!

There are way too many of you to name, but I’m thankful for all of my followers. I have never met such amazing people both in real life and only online. Thanks for being a part of my life!

I’m thankful for my work friends. We are having family dinners each week where one person hosts it and cooks the main dish and the others bring a side dish. Tonight is breakfast-for-dinner. French toast here I come!

I’m grateful for running. The way it has changed my life, literally reshaping me. As a person and my body. Its my stress relief, the way I get through a day sometimes.

There are so many more things I’m grateful and thankful for, I can’t remember them all…but I know this; I need to remember when I’m down to be thankful.

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.

-Author Unknown

Today I’m Thankful for…

the gorgeous weather at the end of November! It’s 68 degrees here in Southeast Nebraska! The sun is shining, the birds are singing and a nice breeze is blowing. Can’t get much better than that!
My job. I may have to work on Thanksgiving day, but seeing the faces of the People at the City Mission, eating their free dinner makes me remember how much I have, and how much I have to be thankful for.
My family. They are working on Thanksgiving dinner while I’m at work. I am grateful for them so I get to have a turkey dinner without doing any of the work!
My work family. I love the people I’m working with today. They are some good people. They make working on a holiday worth it
My friends. They are good people and put up with a lot from me. I’m glad they are in my life!
I’m grateful for legs that run. I may not have wanted to get up early to run, but I’m so glad I did! It feels good to be active.
And last, but not least! I’m thankful for all of you. Thank you for letting me share your lives. You all rock!

A Thankful Heart

Warning: this post isn’t fitness related and very spiritual.

Since November began I have seen dozens of posts where people talk each day about what they are thankful for. I like this idea. In the movie White Christmas, (my favorite Christmas movie!) there is a song called “Count your blessings.” The line that stands out is this: “When I’m worried, and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep. Then I fall asleep, counting my blessings.”

What a cool idea. When you’re worried, don’t lay in bed, listing all the things that aren’t right in your world, or the things that worry you. Instead, count your blessings, and fall asleep thinking about how God is Blessing you.

On that note, I’m reminded where I was a year ago today; I was lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to IV’s, having blood drawn, tests done and 5 Doctors see me who couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me. I was so sick. I spent 8 days in 2 different hospitals. Thousands of dollars and 5 doctors later, they still didn’t know why I was so sick. But then, I started to get better. That happened a year ago today. On Wednesday a year ago, I was still so sick, not feeling like I could ever leave the hospital. I could barely eat without thinking I was going to be sick. Then, the very next day, I started to feel better. By Friday, I went home. And I felt sooo much better.

The doctors never figured out what was wrong with me. They said I started getting better on my own, not from any medicine they gave me. But I know better. So many prayers were said for me to get better that I finally did. I have to give that to God.

So, in the spirit of being thankful this holiday season, I remember where I was a year ago. So sick and so scared. So at night, when I can’t sleep, I am certain to count my blessings, instead of sheep. Because it could always be worse! Nothing is really ever as bad as it may seem.

I like to say that November isn’t a good month for me; last year I was sick and in the hospital. I gained 35 pounds of water weight and was swollen and sore. The guy I was seeing at the time disappeared after seeing me only once while I was in the hospital. This November, the guy I was seeing called me and essentially dumped me over the phone. (at least he gave me that courtesy!) And I have been having terrible lower back pain. But in everyday and every way there is something to be thankful for.

I am thankful for my wonderful family, friends, IRL and on here! I am thankful for my health. Despite my back pain, I am healthy, not at all like last year! I am thankful for my job.

So friends, I hope you have a wonderful day!