I live a simple life. I live humbly. I live well beneath my
means. And while I can be a total pain in the ass sometimes, and while I can be
difficult to know and to keep, today is all about gratitude. What I’ve learned
about it, what I cherish about it and what I love about it. Because, until you
start showing it, your life never really changes. And coming from someone who
was the most bitter, sarcastic, nasty, mean person on the planet for several
years…that is saying something.
No one could see the pain I hid this week. No one. I never
said a word about how I was feeling to anyone at all. I went to work, I did my
job, I came home and was sad...just sad. Yet, somehow, the universe gave
me two incredibly wonderful children who devoted the entire week to make me
laugh, and a few truly amazing people who gave me the boosts I needed,
precisely when I needed them, even if they didn’t know it. And while I don’t
need to call them out by name, they will know who they are based on what they
told me this week.
Day 1: She Said
“I got my devotional this morning from CBC, and immediately,
I thought, ‘Shauna’. Do you mind if I send it to you?”
I didn’t mind. It
changed my day. Your philosophy of embracing the happy forced me out of my
funk. So thank you, I am grateful for you.
Day 2: She Said
“I deleted a bunch of people today; people that don’t need
to be anywhere near me. You inspired that. Truth be told, I only kept them
around, tolerated them, because of you.”
Even though I told her
that was completely unnecessary, I recognized the value of genuine people, real
friends and loyalty. For you, I am grateful.
Day 3: I Love You
More
For round about two weeks now, I have been having an “I love
you more” argument with a close friend of mine. And yes, it’s cheesy and stupid
and borderline ridiculous, but it makes my heart happy. Because it’s an
argument that no one ever loses. By the way, it’s still me.
Day 4: #21 Days of
Gratitude, He Said
#OperationGratitudeEngaged #21Days
Three little words. I. LOVE. YOU. They just don't make friends like you anymore. You have really changed my life in the short time I have known you. Then, again we have been Facebook friends for over 3 years, I think. You taught me the power of words. I have had many mentors and they were all invaluable. You did something no one has ever done before! You held me accountable. You refused to let me fail. Not, only that. You, you, stood beside me the whole way, and in front of me when I was attacked. Only a few will understand this next statement. "I am sorry for outing you like this about how amazing you are. Good people are fighting the battle everyday. Where there is good, there is evil trying to stop it. You best believe that I will stand @ the front line with my shield and sword. They want us to fear them knocking on our doors, but they no longer have those doors. They fear us, and they should!" Warriors! If you are reading this, there is a warrior inside of you waiting to be let out. What are you waiting for?~#MALO
Three little words. I. LOVE. YOU. They just don't make friends like you anymore. You have really changed my life in the short time I have known you. Then, again we have been Facebook friends for over 3 years, I think. You taught me the power of words. I have had many mentors and they were all invaluable. You did something no one has ever done before! You held me accountable. You refused to let me fail. Not, only that. You, you, stood beside me the whole way, and in front of me when I was attacked. Only a few will understand this next statement. "I am sorry for outing you like this about how amazing you are. Good people are fighting the battle everyday. Where there is good, there is evil trying to stop it. You best believe that I will stand @ the front line with my shield and sword. They want us to fear them knocking on our doors, but they no longer have those doors. They fear us, and they should!" Warriors! If you are reading this, there is a warrior inside of you waiting to be let out. What are you waiting for?~#MALO
This brought me to tears…good ones. And I am
grateful for you. Every. Single. Day. Your words lifted me up at a moment I
needed it most. Your phone calls and your presence always makes my day just a
little bit brighter.
Day 5: He Said
“I’m proud of you! Just a week ago you couldn’t write, and look at the
blog you posted yesterday. I won’t let you fall. I’ll be wherever you want me
to be and when!!! You have a world to conquer and I can’t wait to see you do
it.”
I said: “And this is why I love you. You have always helped me pick up
all of my broken features and forge them into an indomitable force to be
reckoned with. I thank God for you. Everyday.”
He said: “I’ve never seen you as broken. Maybe flawed, beautifully
flawed. Perfectly imperfect!!!”
I cannot put into
words how much you have helped me over the years. If anyone is my favorite, it’s
you. And you always will be.
Day 5 #2: He Said
A random “Are you okay” text,
helped.
Regardless of anything
else, the fact that you asked means a lot. I am grateful for you as well, even
though I shut you out and shut you down completely. But for you, I am grateful
for an entirely different subset of reasons. You stood by me when few other
people did. You turned my sadness into the rage it needed to be. You taught me
much. You showed me things that, without you, I never would have seen. You made
me fall back in love with my strength, even though falling back in love with my
strength means being strong enough meant to accept nothing less than what I need. I will always be here when you really need me. I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for
always, as long as I am living, my friend you will be.
I suppose the point is this, and this alone: If you want to
change your life, to REALLY, really, REALLY change your life, surround yourself
with people like these. Because these people are the sorts of people you should
never, ever, ever lose, but who also, should never, ever, ever lose you. These
people fight for you when you give up. These people hold your hand tighter even when you try and let go. These people, no matter how hard their hearts, let you know
that they appreciate your stupid, cheesy texts everyday. These people
demonstrate, show and act upon the principals that life is all about: loyalty,
love and the push, the desire and the will to be better than who they were
yesterday. These people matter. Everyone else is just passing through. Remember
that, if you remember nothing else. And be grateful for these people. Cherish
them always, and tell them…daily.
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