Every year for the last 5, my friend Virada has sent out an email asking us (her friends from home and college) to list 5 things that we are grateful for–from the humorous to the serious to the mundane. We began this tradition in college, when we all were so self-involved and focused on our studies and dramas. I think that it’s a wonderful tradition and I hope that we continue it for years to come.
If you’d like to embark on an Operation Gratitude with your friends, here are the rules:
What you do:
1. Name five things you are thankful for this year. You decide the
scope and level of seriousness/silliness/both: something that made you
smile today, people, activities, anything! Please don’t be a smartass
and say, for instance, you’re grateful that something annoying didn’t
happen to you today. We all have those days, but this isn’t a forum
for complaints.
2. Resend to the person who sent it to you + anyone else you want to
be part of the Operation.
3. Have an awesome Thanksgiving (Thanks-taking!) remembering what you
are grateful for!!!!
And below is my Operation Gratitude for 2007
In no particular order of importance:
1. Starbucks. No matter how much I complain and grumble, without you, oh Starbucks, I would not be able to have a flexible, part-time job with health insurance. And, Starbucks has helped me come into my own as a person and pushed me out of my shy shell.
2. My friends. You all live so far away, but no matter, phone calls and emails still suffice. And, when we get to visit, it makes it extra nice! (ok, I wasn’t planning on rhyming).
3. Wisconsin state parks. They are amazing and have made my return to Madison bearable. Beautiful and clean and cheap entertainment to boot!
4. laughter. Without laughter, I wouldn’t have been able to get through the last year.
5. My religious/Hebrew school students. Thank you for keeping me on my toes, making me laugh, and providing perspective. I enjoy sharing my love for Judaism with you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
1 response so far ↓
Liz // December 5, 2007 at 10:57 pm |
1) My job. I wasn’t expecting being a lab technician to be so enjoyable. To my wonderful boss, grad students, and undergrad. To working late. To simply leaving when I don’t feel like being at work. I think this these next 2 years will be contribute towards developing me as an individual and as a scientist.
2) The wonderful people in my life. word is there are a number of annoying, frustrating people out there. I generally think quite well of the people I interact with regularly.
3) Smith DailyJolt Alumnae Forum. It is a distinct joy in my life. Especially during incubations at work.
4) My car. I’ve realized recently that my car is quite dear to me. It is a ‘96 mazda protege, maroon with peeling paint. A Smith College windshield sticker, along with a “Kansas: as bigoted as you think” bumpersticker. Usually I am so normal and blend in with life, but this little part of me is distinct. About a month ago I thought it was a gonner, but it’s still going.
5) My upbringing, that gave me good basic values and has made me less attached to consumerism than many of those around me.