Welcome to the first Thankful Thursday in a little while – it’s all about active gratitude! Being thankful is a good way to lift one’s spirits. Thinking about the good things in your life, and making a point of expressing your gratitude for them might even attract more good things into your life.
I’ve not been writing much here at TAY lately because life has once again thrown a few curveballs that resulted in a massive shift in my life. The last few months have been a rollercoaster – some of the best times I have ever had, but also some of the deepest lows.
Without getting into too much detail, it has been an extremely humbling experience. I have felt rage and anger that I thought was going to burn me up, this was all building up to an event that took place yesterday.
You Can Pick Your Nose…
I have to talk about my friends and family, and how they have supported me through this ordeal. I feel a pang of guilt because of how I acted at times, when the pain was overwhelming and I was not coping with things. They have always been there, and have been a massive support – especially my father, my brother and my sister. Other family back home in the US has also been there, and I am grateful for that too.
When I talk about being there, I don’t mean that all these people were directly helping me with what I was experiencing. Many of them are oblivious to it, which is fine – I don’t want to talk about it, except in the context of the gratitude I am expressing for the people that have been there for me through it now. Just having an idle chat with my cousin while he was waiting for another cousin to bring him a water hose to replace his burst one, being able to keep him company while he waited was one I remember being a welcome distraction from my shit.
On the subject of “my shit”, there is so much of it. Life became extremely complicated. I lost my permanent job under questionable circumstances, which initiated a 3-month long process that wrapped up yesterday. Immediately after losing my job, I felt kind of relieved which is a sign that I was not happy. I really wasn’t, but it paid fairly well. I did everything I could to protect my job, just like I did everything I could to prove the irregularity.
Under Pressure
This was not the only pressure I was (and still am, to a degree) facing. The sudden loss of income is a shocker, this prompted me to do what I do best – make a plan. I am pleased enough with the results, I have managed to generate a small income that could potentially grow significantly now that I have the time to give it my full attention. I am taking a few days to cool my jets, but life goes on.
A portion of this income has come from writing. I always think of TAY when I am writing because this is where it all started – Zarnyx giving me authorship was blessing in another difficult time. I remember writing about Dark Souls, and how it had in a way helped me get through another hard time. Back then, I was unemployed, fresh out of college and growing disillusioned with the job search. Writing helped me cope.
Growing Pains
It’s interesting how that has evolved from a coping mechanism into a skill that I can use to earn a few $ here and there. That is definitely something I am grateful for – and I’m certain had I not found TAY, posted those #tayclassic pieces, and gone on to write dozens more pieces of varying quality on the site, I would never be able to do this. Perhaps I would have found a way, but TAY was such a wonderful platform at the time and surely has spawned many great writers.
All things come to an end. This seems sad, but it isn’t always. Sometimes, it is bittersweet. Like the ordeal I faced in my aviation career, for example. I loved my work! I was good at it. It was fun watching the company grow out of the lockdowns, with the operation more than tripling in size and complexity. The pressure grew along with that. I learned many valuable skills, and for that I am grateful. I am also grateful I can put it behind me and forget about it now.
Let’s Get Thankful!
Here’s how this works – I’m asking you, dear reader, to tell me about 3 things you are grateful for. Even if you just post 1, that’s okay! I’d love to hear as much gratitude as you can manage.
Big Picture is something related to the world, or your country or local community. Maybe a new sports field opened up, allowing the local kids to go play there rather than in the streets.
Small Picture is something small or personal, maybe you just ate something really nice or saw a friend you haven’t seen for a while.
Obvious – what it says on the tin. Even if you’re just grateful that you are alive.
Big Picture: Thankful Thursday started in the lockdown of 2020. I think it’s important to note that, at least where I am, life has finally returned to normal. No more mask mandates or restricted movement. People naturally still practise social distancing, and are generally better about washing their hands. These are all great things, and while the pandemic and all the lost lives are tragic for many reasons this is a silver lining worth mentioning.
Small Picture: I have to say, spending the winter in my home office and working for myself has been another silver lining. In the end, in spite of the abrupt shift in my life and all that came with it, I am grateful that I have been able to take on a new challenge and a new career path. Being cozy at home and knowing that I would have been in an icy office all day otherwise is a good feeling.
Obvious: I know family isn’t great for everyone. Believe me, mine can suck too. They put up with me when I am sucky, though. Obviously we should all be grateful for the people that love and support us in the hard times. I am so grateful!
Over to you, TAY – What are you Thankful for this Thursday?
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