Something To Be Thankful For

Yesterday I woke up cranky.  It was Thanksgiving, but I was struggling to be thankful.  It was like a battle within my mind that went something like this:

Optimism: You should be thankful for the roof over your head.
Pessimism: Yeah, let's be thankful for the huge mortgage payment.

Optimism: You should be thankful for the fact that you have a job.
Pessimism: Yeah, let's be thankful for 80+ hour weeks that haven't really started to pay off yet.

Optimism: You should be thankful that the kennel is filled with dogs.
Pessimism: Yeah, let's be thankful for the fact that everyone else in the U.S. has today off while you're working your butt off caring for their dogs.  You don't even get a Thanksgiving dinner!

I was trying to be happy, and I was trying to see the day in a good way, but I just couldn't do it.  Yes, I recognized that it was an easier day than usual, and, yes, I was grateful that I got to spend the day with Hans, but I was upset that I didn't get my traditional, relaxing holiday (first-world problems, I know).  However, two things happened to brighten my mood.

First, our neighbors asked to borrow our oven.  They were baking bread and needed more oven space, and since they had sooooo much bread they shared a loaf with us.  They also made sure we knew we were welcome to come over at any time for left over turkey / stuffing / potatoes / etc.  It made me feel nice.

Second, the only dog we had scheduled to be picked up yesterday was picked up by 3:00 pm.  This meant that Hans and I could go over to Jessica's house for Thanksgiving dinner like I've been doing almost every year for the past 12+ years.  Cue instantly better mood.  Yes, I had to work.  No, I didn't get a relaxing day of sleeping.  However, I would have my Thanksgiving dinner just the way I like it...with the people I love.

By the time I went to bed last night, the pessimism had been squashed.  My thoughts went like this:

Optimism: I'm thankful that I have a bed to sleep in.
Pessimism: I like bed.

Optimism: I'm thankful for legs that can carry me on my runs.
Pessimism: I like runs.

Optimism: I'm thankful for a kennel full of dogs.
Pessimism: I like dogs.

Optimism: I'm thankful for wonderful friends and family who make sure that we are provided for and who make sure we are loved, even when we're pulling 80+ hour weeks, even when we're sick, even when we're stressed.  Yep, I'm thankful for that.
 Pessimism: Hey!  Me too!!

Today I woke up in a better mood (well, aside from the fact that it was 4:30 a.m. and no one can wake up in a great mood at that time).  I have a lot to be thankful for, and that's something I should remember.