Warning: If youÂ’re not in the mood to read a slightly introspective, thoughtful post, you should probably turn away for the sake of your sanity.

For the past few days, IÂ’ve been thinking a lot. IÂ’ve been thinking about my future, my past, and anything else that keeps my mind off of what counts. IÂ’ve stretched my mind thin over topics that everyone is going nuts over lately in one way or another. (Politics, the flu vaccine shortage, high gas prices.. to name a few.) With all my mental warfare happening, I donÂ’t give myself, or my brain, an opportunity to rest, and be unburdened. I think a lot of people experience this.

In addition to not giving my mind a rest, I donÂ’t give any thought to positive aspects of my life. I donÂ’t think about the things I should be thankful for. I should do it more often. I think today is a good time.

Things IÂ’m thankful for (in no particular order):

1. My family. No matter how often or how severely they can get on my nerves, without them, I wouldnÂ’t be half the woman I am now.

2. A place to live.

3. Food to eat.

4. My boyfriend, because he keeps me sane.

5. Being able to go to college.

6. My friends, online and offline.

7. The fact that I woke up this morning.

8. The fact that I am still a human being capable of experiencing emotions.

9. Being able to walk outside and feel the rain on my face and the cold wind in my hair.

So.. If you feel like sharing, tell me, what are you thankful for?

My chopper and chix0rz, I don't know what i would do if I didn't have either one of them.

I am thankful for every experience I have, good or bad.
My experiences are what make me who I am and while some of these experiences are less than pleasant, they are also "character builders".

While I can relate to your thoughts Ana, it is mostly in the converse. Not that I'm moping around in bitterness against anything and everything, but I'm having a hard time being happy with myself. I've gone out trying to fill some empty spaces with as healthy activities as possible, yet I still lack the gestalt to get me thinking better than I have been. I wish I knew what it was that was getting me down. Artistically, I'm having some great thoughts and concepts, though many of them I know I will never have the time or resources to get to them. I have had some time to do some modding, and I've accomplished everything with as much craftsmanship as I can muster. The end results I am never happy with. Sure, the work came out OK, but it always seems to beg the question: "Should I have gone farther?" The problem with that is it is very easy to come up with concepts that I have no ability to go through with due to adult responsibilities. I am still pushing through the things I've started and with as much focus on my original concepts as possible, and I won't give in to the very tempting "quick-fixes" that would degrade something that I still feel was good in original concept.
Perhaps it is a bit selfish, but I do come to PR to be encouraged. All these artistic people at times inspire me, other times I get jealous or even feel inadequate, but I always get stirred into thinking about what I can do myself. Perhaps it's just not healthy to look here for emotional support (or anywhere else online for that matter). My signifigant other isn't the issue...she is supportive to a fault. I still feel the responsibility to be happy for her and for my children, and I hate how I know it must be affecting them. On my list, my family is the #1 thing I am happy about. I just wish that included me.

Nice Anathema!

Everyday it is good to remind ourselves just how fortunate we are. There is always someone in much worse life situation than oneself. I know it is also hard to think that when things are not particularly stellar in life, but a good thing to have in the back of your mind. Also two thingsI try to remember:
That which does kill us, only makes us stronger.
G-d never gives more than we can handle. (To those who do not believe in G-d, you will not get this one. But that is okay, too.)

one word...

Everything.

Somethings more than others
even the pain I am somewhat grateful for....We learn from pain and hurt.
Life itself is a concept we are ment to grasp

Im not to thankful for much lately. In fact its been going pretty bad.

1. I have a car atleast, runs ok sometimes.
2. A bed to sleep in, altough its not my nor is the house.
3. Friends, even though they all talk trash behind my back
4. I wish i had a girlfriend, no GF right now
5. A good job, though my b1tch of a ex sits right next to me, and she irratates me to no end.

If i could have one thing is that each one of those would improve just slightly.

I've been watching my father died over the last few months. And I've been spending alot of time thinking about him, his life, and what he meant to me growing up. So here's what I;m thankful for:

1. I had a father that cared. He raised me and was both mother and father.
2. That he had values, he taught me right from wrong.
3. He kept me on the straight and narrow, and believe me, that wasn't easy
4. Taught me the value of an education, and made sure I finished HS when I didn't care.
5. That he taught me to work hard, to do whatever I had to do to take care of my family, it's about them, not me
6. That he died peacefully last night in his sleep, and never had any pain

He was my Role model, and I'll miss him forever.

JoJo

I can certianly relate to what you may be feeling, our deepest sympathy, to you and yours.
Take pride, in knowing that a great man will always be in your heart and always be with you...

My deepest sympathies JoJo

If your father taught you all of that, he was a great man. May he rest in peace.