Gratitude Challenge

Lately, I keep finding myself complaining. Not about anything actually important, but just stupid little stuff. We moved out of house I love into one that I really don't, but we're making it work. However, every single day I find myself either thinking or saying, "I hate this freaking setup!"(doing laundry- the washer is shoved in a tiny closet under the stairs and the dryer is out in a storage shed that I'm fairly positive has been used in a few horror movies), or "What kind of a house doesn't even have a dishwasher?" and so on. Dumb, superficial complaints. Yes, of course I miss my old house (with the perfect washer/dryer hookups and the shiny new dishwasher... *sigh*), but this is our home now and I need to just learn to focus on the positives. At least we have a home, I don't have to go to a laundromat, doing dishes together is a great time to catch up on each others' days, and if someone really did shoot a horror movie in our storage shed then I guess we have a famous shed, and that's pretty cool.

While reminding myself for the umpteenth time today that it's not that bad, I remembered a gratitude challenge from a while back that my dear friend Tami posted on her blog (read her blog, she's AMAZING!). The challenge was to write 100 things you are grateful for (no complaining, Abi.), and to make it a little easier they had it broken down into 10 categories. I think it's a great way to remind ourselves of all the blessings in our everyday lives, and it'll hopefully get my head in a better place. 

Here goes:

1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.

- Walking/running, grabbing (with my fabulously helpful thumbs), talking, hugging, writing, smiling, typing, bending/kneeling, climbing (especially stairs!), and all of my fine motor skills for the small stuff

2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.

- Our house, our cars, my kitty (is he considered a material possession?? Sure.), my washer and dryer, our phones, computers, comfy bed, longboards and bikes (hello money savers!), all my books, and our TV

3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for.

Just 10? Okay:

- TY. I don't even have the space to explain. He's amazing, I love him with everything I have, I can't even imagine my life without him.

- My mom and dad: they gave me life, so...

- Kellie and Bill: Ty's amazing parents, they have completely crushed all the stories you hear about horrible in-laws, they're the best I could have asked for 

- Titus: Oh Titus. My dear brother. Crazy Titus. Of all people though, I know he'd be the first to help me in any situation, no questions asked.

- Our grandparents: Yes, I'm lumping them all into one so I have more room. SO WHAT.

- Megan: That crazy girl has been by my side since I moved to Lava in the third grade, I don't know what I would have done in so many different situations if I hadn't had her. Sure, in some of those situations I probably would have gotten in a lot less trouble, but that's beside the point. 

- Tami: My dearest Tamira! She helps me more than she knows. I don't talk to her nearly as much as I'd like, but she's just one of those friends that inspires me to be the best person I can be. How often do you find someone like that?? 

- Cass: Crazy Cassidy. I love him for being such an amazing friend to Ty, and for being that person that is constantly reminding me to not take myself so seriously, everything always works out the way it's supposed to anyway, so what's the point in worrying about it?

- Alora: One of the closest friends I've made here in Boise, someone was truly on my side the day I was assigned to the same dorm room as her almost 3 years ago.

And SO MANY others!! I've really been blessed with some amazing people in my life.

4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.

- My Bucia: She was the epitome of endless love, especially to her grandbabies. I miss her every single day, but I know that every time I think about her she's right here next to me. It's been years, and I still honestly cannot believe that she's gone. Some days I still get horribly sad about it (those days that I really just need a Bucia hug), but I have an amazing family, and we all kind of keep each other strong. 

- Mrs. Avery: Trish, although I can't think of one single time I actually called her that. It was always Mrs. Avery. I honestly think she may have taught me more about what kind of a mother I want to be than my mom did. I know that sounds horrible, but truths are truths. She was so incredible, so devoted to her family and her faith, I hope I can turn out to be at least half the woman she was.

- Grandma Gerrie: Ty's grandmother. Although she was already pretty taken by the Alzheimer's the only time I got to meet her, the family she left behind is one of the best I've ever met. I'm lucky enough to have been welcomed into that family, and I know I have her to thank for a lot of that.

- Jesus: It's His salvation that is exactly what I need right now, and I'm so grateful to be finding it again.

- All the apostles and saints: I know this throws my list way over 10, but they're the true workings of God

5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.

- That wonderful after-rain smell, springtime, flowers, animals, SHARKS (I love them. Love them.), summer nights, living somewhere with seasons (even though I do complain constantly about the cold, at least I can tell it's not summer), oceans, sunshine, and those wonderful breezes on hot summer days

   

6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.

- I got to spend almost the entire day with my amazing fiance, we played Life (one of the best board games ever), we watched a great movie, I got to talk to my mom for a little bit, my cat loves to snuggle and is doing so right now, it was gorgeous outside, we enjoyed the beautiful spring air with an evening longboard ride, Ty is a very patient person, our house is mostly unpacked, and I get to spend the evening with the love of my life.

7. Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.

- My parents' house, our house (despite all my complaining! I really am thankful for it), the cottage (the most wonderful place on earth), St. John's Cathedral (have I mentioned I CAN'T WAIT to be married there??), the ocean, inside Ty's hug :), that perfect quiet spot on the river outside of Lava where I used to take Bob swimming, my work, Ty's work, and (weirdly) airports. Don't ask why, I just love them for some reason.

8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.

- Washers, dryers (even when they're shoved in tiny closets and creepy sheds), phones, cars, the internet, computers, microwaves, electricity, TVs, and indoor plumbing.

  

9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for.

- Rice, pancake mix, milk, strawberries, grapefruit, bagels, bread, cheese, chocolate, and yogurt. 

10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

- Ok, this one is actually near impossible for me. I honestly don't know if I can name 10 things about it. It's not that I'm not grateful, it's just that I either haven't learned (yet!) or I don't remember from my childhood. Seriously, one of my friends (who is now on an LDS mission) made a joke once about "Kevin and the Lions," and I completely bought it. Not a proud day for me.But, I promise to keep you updated as I learn and relearn all the great teachings of the gospel!