Throughout the month of November, I participate in #ThankfulNovember on my social media. Each day of the month, I try to make sure to post things I’m thankful for and it spans from people and things like my husband, family, and job all the way to coffee and chocolate. On the last day of November this year I was thinking about what I was thankful for that day. I knew I needed to post since this year had been harder to keep up with it due to my work schedule. I decided that one of the things I was most thankful for were my struggles and the hurdles that I have had to overcome.
I decided to start doing Thankful November annually in 2011 or 2012, because honestly I dread November. November since 2010 has been incredibly difficult for me as I anticipate the anniversary of my mom’s death and remembering all the events leading up to it and after it. In doing Thankful November, it has helped me remember that even when I dread things and when I’m having hard grief feelings, that there are good things in life everywhere we turn.
Now back to the struggles. I am thankful for them because they have made me the human that I am today. I truly believe that I am the empathetic, hard working person that I am due to the things and events that I have experienced in my life. There are few people who know my deepest struggles and even fewer who actually understand how they have impacted my life. Almost daily, I have to decide that today is going to be a good day and whatever comes my way I can handle it if not by myself but with help.
This November was a tough one, but it also brought us a new little niece and nephew, our Christmas tree went up very early, and my husband and I were able to make a quick get away to see some family we haven’t seen in two and a half years. As November comes to a close and December and all it’s Holiday craziness begins, I will continue to remember daily what I am thankful for, including the struggles. Happy December to all! Holiday tips will be coming soon!
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