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Thankful Thursday
Feb. 24th, 2011 09:10 amI'm sad to hear of author L.K. Madigan's death yesterday, and am thinking of her family. Even though I didn't "know" her, I know many people who did, and she was a part of the writer family at Verla Kay's. I've seen her influence on the cyber writer community with her Thankful Thursday movement, and I know she'll be greatly missed. So, joining in today:
1. I'm thankful for my family! I love that they are interesting, adventurous people. I love the support my husband gives me when it comes to artistic endeavors that mean a lot to me. I love the things our kids come up with. I love having five kids! Seriously. Even when I'm exhausted. And I'm glad they're all now old enough to express themselves and their interesting ideas.
2. I'm thankful for books! I would not have done well in a place like Afghanistan, where so few people have the opportunity to read.
3. I'm thankful for the spark of creativity. If I were good at sports, I'd probably be thankful for that, instead, but I'm glad it's creativity I have instead. I can never get over the thrill of something coming alive under my hands. Like there's another world where things already exist, and I somehow have the privilege of touching them and bringing them into our world.
4. I'm thankful for adventures! For all the places I've gotten to live, and all the interesting people I've gotten to know. Even if it meant lots and lots and lots and lots of cardboard moving boxes... Thinking right now of all the Arabic neighbors I've had, what great people they were, and hoping for freedom and peace in the middle east/north Africa right now.
5. I'm thankful for my own freedom. And thankful especially for people who can respect the Other Side. Sure, we all have strong opinions when it comes to religion and politics. And there are plenty of people who have an open mind--as long as you agree with them. If not, then suddenly you're the shortsighted bigot. True supporters of freedom realize that not everyone agrees--but they try to understand the real reasons people feel the way they do, and respect that. A number of years ago I had a friend who was clearly opposite me on every side politically. Specifically over the invasion of Iraq/WOMD thing. We lived in a state where pretty much everyone thought the way she did. I was touched when she would gently comment that not everyone felt the same way while we were in conversation with others on hot topics. She didn't think I was right--but she believed I had a good reason to feel the way I did. So glad for that! I try to do the same. We won't all agree on everything--but realizing that another person has a real reason for feeling the way they do instead of just assuming they must be stupid because they don't agree can go a long way toward peace.
What are you thankful for today?
1. I'm thankful for my family! I love that they are interesting, adventurous people. I love the support my husband gives me when it comes to artistic endeavors that mean a lot to me. I love the things our kids come up with. I love having five kids! Seriously. Even when I'm exhausted. And I'm glad they're all now old enough to express themselves and their interesting ideas.
2. I'm thankful for books! I would not have done well in a place like Afghanistan, where so few people have the opportunity to read.
3. I'm thankful for the spark of creativity. If I were good at sports, I'd probably be thankful for that, instead, but I'm glad it's creativity I have instead. I can never get over the thrill of something coming alive under my hands. Like there's another world where things already exist, and I somehow have the privilege of touching them and bringing them into our world.
4. I'm thankful for adventures! For all the places I've gotten to live, and all the interesting people I've gotten to know. Even if it meant lots and lots and lots and lots of cardboard moving boxes... Thinking right now of all the Arabic neighbors I've had, what great people they were, and hoping for freedom and peace in the middle east/north Africa right now.
5. I'm thankful for my own freedom. And thankful especially for people who can respect the Other Side. Sure, we all have strong opinions when it comes to religion and politics. And there are plenty of people who have an open mind--as long as you agree with them. If not, then suddenly you're the shortsighted bigot. True supporters of freedom realize that not everyone agrees--but they try to understand the real reasons people feel the way they do, and respect that. A number of years ago I had a friend who was clearly opposite me on every side politically. Specifically over the invasion of Iraq/WOMD thing. We lived in a state where pretty much everyone thought the way she did. I was touched when she would gently comment that not everyone felt the same way while we were in conversation with others on hot topics. She didn't think I was right--but she believed I had a good reason to feel the way I did. So glad for that! I try to do the same. We won't all agree on everything--but realizing that another person has a real reason for feeling the way they do instead of just assuming they must be stupid because they don't agree can go a long way toward peace.
What are you thankful for today?
