Finding Joy

I am a firm believer that conscious gratitude is a great way to combat negative feelings. It doesn't fix everything, but it does sometimes help break me out of downward spirals. So what do I mean? The act of looking for things to be grateful for when I feel like everything is awful. It's not foolproof. Sometimes, I'm already so far gone that I can't find anything, or I do, but my brain responds with something like, "Okay, that's nice, but it doesn't make up for all of these other awful things." But usually it at least helps. And in case you think I'm entirely too upbeat, I should have posted this over a week ago, but I was feeling like I had no voice--like so few people read this blog, and they don't notice when I don't post, so why bother. But someone who means the world to me told me she loves reading it, so I have renewed motivation. So here's my current list of top things I'm grateful for (in no particular order):

-My husband got to come home for a whole week! He has been working over 5 hours away and only visiting me on Sundays. I thought he was actually moving home because his next assignment was supposed to be local. Since it's not starting yet, he got sent away again temporarily, but I'm grateful for that too because it means he's still working and getting paid while waiting for the local job to start.

-I received a better kayak than the one I had as a gift. I have to learn to control it better, but I love it.

This is our maiden voyage together.

-Talking to my mom recently, I found out that her father (who I don't remember) was a tap dancer and could kick his leg up beside his head! I'm not particularly talented at dancing, but I love it. I wish I could see him dance, but just knowing that he did makes me happy.

-A friend I have been tutoring finished Statistics with an A! I'm so proud of her.

-My husband and I got to drive the Tail of the Dragon. It's a stretch of road in the mountains near me that has 318 curves in 11 miles. I got a little carsick (no vomiting, just upset stomach), but it was completely worth it. So beautiful! I also spotted another place I want to go kayaking and saw a billboard for a cool place that I want to go climbing.

This is one side of the street at a scenic overlook.

This picture and the next are looking opposite directions from the other side of the street.

I want to put in at this boat ramp.

-My dogs are super sweet.

-I love these flowers in my sister's yard...

-...and these goslings I saw at the boat ramp after my most recent kayaking trip.

There are more things, but that's a good list for now. I hope you find your joy, and as always, go sow some goodness!