Four Years of My Daily Gratefuls: An Update to the Blog

I realize that it has been about a month and a half since my last post. I've also realized that I started this blog four years ago today. My hope back then was to produce short, daily posts, knowing that sometimes I would have to skip a day or two.

The reason for my recent absence here is I've started to feel the burden of writing daily (or almost daily) blog posts. When I commit myself to something, I feel quite guilty if I don't hold myself to my word. When I miss a few days due to a busy life schedule, I often feel I have to make up the time, and it's not a pleasant feeling. It's hard for me to imagine what it must be like to make a living as a blogger or YouTuber. In short, it's hard to keep a daily blog, and I've felt that more recently.

My purpose behind this blog has been to demonstrate that we each have something to be grateful for every single day. I wanted to make a positive, uplifting contribution to the internet, even if a small one. I never expected to have an audience much larger than my family, my friends, and anyone else who stumbles upon the page. I never expected much feedback or recognition because I just wanted to quietly prove something that I adamantly believe: that no matter how unfortunate you are on any given day, you can find some bit of good around you or within you.

I feel I have given a convincing four-year demonstration of my point. I also don't want to feel overly obligated to this simple, voluntary project. This is why I've decided to stop worrying. This blog will remain a place for me to occasionally share things I'm grateful for, but I will stop committing to a daily schedule.

That being said, if any of you readers have thoughts, insights, or suggestions for this blog or what I've done here these past four years, I welcome feedback. More than that, I invite anyone who has read anything in this blog to share how it has affected them, if at all. I've often been curious about people's reactions to what I write here.

To family, friends, and anyone who has reached out with a comment or otherwise, thank you. I hope everything I've written here thus far (and anything I may add in the future) will bring you joy on any rainy or stormy day.

I am grateful for four years' worth (and counting!) of gratefuls in my life. :)

Bedtime Stories

I have many memories of my dad sharing improvised, hilarious bedtime stories with me and my siblings. I also remember staying up late to read books like the Narnia series and A Wrinkle in Time. I look forward to reading and telling stories to my own children.

My wife recently had the brilliant idea of reading books to each other before we go to sleep. I like that. This will get us in that great habit when kids start to arrive. Besides, I like reading books out loud. I think I would have a lot of fun being an audio book narrator or a participant in a radio drama. I like acting, especially voice acting.

I am grateful for bedtime stories, past, present, and future.

Happy (Work) Anniversary!

Yep, I have an anniversary, my workplace and I. I have been working at my job for one full year. Only a few dozen more of these until retirement! Really though, I am grateful for the job I have, for the opportunities it has presented me, and for all the positive changes I've seen among my co-workers in this past year.

I am grateful for a work anniversary today.

In-Laws

I spent part of Mother's Day at church, worshiping God and then looking after kids in nursery during Sunday School classes. I spent the next part of the day in a group video call with my siblings, and we all wished my mother a happy Mother's Day. Then, I spent the rest of the day visiting my in-laws, enjoying dinner and company until evening came.

I have, on this blog, given well-deserved praise to members of my own family. I don't think I've as yet expressed my gratitude for my in-laws. I am grateful to have more wonderful family in my life than ever before. I am grateful for more loving, hilarious siblings and more supportive parents. Even while I was dating my wife, I only felt welcome in her family's home. I always felt I could be comfortable with myself. I am grateful for that. I know that's not what everyone experiences, but I think we can all see that a larger family can be a blessing. Additionally, I try to be just as good an in-law to others as well (that is, family members related to the spouses of siblings).

I am grateful for my in-laws. :)

Two Friends Marry Each Other (Finally)

Today, I got to attend the wedding and reception of two good friends. These were two friends that I and many others have been shipping (shipping: verb, wishing and hoping that two people, real or fictional, will end up together as a romantic couple) for several years. In fact, these friends were instrumental in getting me and my wife to meet each other for the first time.

The wedding was a lovely and modestly extravagant affair. I love everything a good wedding stands for. I am grateful for the joyous occasion of the wedding of two best friends to each other.

The Shirt Fits Again!

I have been working hard on my nutrition these past few months. My goal is to reach a certain weight (and of course to gain lots of other health benefits, such as more energy and less sickness). For more than a year (maybe two, maybe more), I've had a bunch of clothes that I really liked but didn't fit me very well. Since I've lost weight in the past few months, I tried one of the shirts and...it fit very well! This is an accomplishment I've been trying to reach for quite some time.

I still have a ways to go with my health, but I'm certainly on the right track. :)

I'm grateful a good shirt fits again.

In the Mood for an Apple

Here's gratitude for another very small thing. Most of my dinners at home emphasize cheese and meat, or otherwise high fat/low carb dishes. Today, my stomach wasn't feeling the best (I think from sugar earlier in the day), so I didn't feel like meat or cheese of any kind. Instead, I had an appetite for an apple. It was perfect: not too strong, not too sweet, just right.

I am grateful for the apples we bought from the grocery store today. They were just what I needed for dinner tonight.