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.

On the S-pot Cooking

Sometimes, I like to follow recipes. Sometimes, I like to make up my meal as I go along. What I really like about this second type of cooking is the fact that I've noticed my meals made this way more often end up being quite tasty.

You might say this is on-the-spot cooking, or on the s-pot (get it? on the s-pot because I'm using cooking pots...oh never mind.)

I am grateful for experiences that involve spontaneous cooking.

It Feels Good to Be Liked and +1-ed

I'm not generally very active on social media except for posting these blog posts. I also don't make daily check-ups on who is liking and viewing what I write here. This is simply because I don't write for popularity or recognition, but because I like to write and I do so in the hope that this content may make the internet a little bit brighter and better...at least for me.

That being said, I do like seeing the "likes" and the comments. There are some people (usually family members) who are more consistent readers of this blog. But sometimes I am pleasantly surprised to see Facebook likes or Google +1 votes from unexpected friends or even complete strangers. I won't deny that it always feels good to be "liked" or "voted up," even if it isn't what I'm asking for directly.

So, thank you to all who read and especially to those who react. I am grateful for the social media reactions I see on this blog. :)

Same Job, With a Twist!

I love the English language. I love editing and proofreading, endeavoring to find ways to improve someone's writing and communication. I also love to work with wonderful, geeky people each day. All the best, greatest fandoms you can think of, I or my co-workers are into it and talk about it.

I will say, however, that my day-to-day duties can often feel monotonous. This is simply because I have so far been assigned one task to complete each day, many times over.

This is why I leaped at the chance to take on some other responsibilities when I could. That's what happened to me today. Today, I was able to receive some additional duties at the front desk at my work place. I've worked at front desks before, in a library, and I loved it! My primary job is still as an editor, but now I get to spend some time each day working the front desk while I edit on the desk computer.

I am grateful for an opportunity to get a change of pace to my normal duties, and I'm grateful I was able to take the opportunity when it came.

How Mexicans Celebrate Halloween

As always, as I write, keep in mind that I write according to my understanding and experience, accompanied by some light but reputable internet searching.

I am grateful for Day of the Dead as celebrated in Mexican culture because, in my perspective, it is a refreshing approach to the Halloween season. I express gratitude for it now because for afternoon breaks at work, we're watching the animated film, The Book of Life, as a way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Now, I am aware that Cinco de Mayo is really more of an American holiday celebrating Mexican culture in general, but most of my small team of editors happen to be white Americans, so happy Cinco de Mayo! Hurrah for Mexico! (no sarcasm or belittlement intended)

Anyway, in America, Halloween is a fun holiday that involves costumes, candy, parties, and haunted houses (for those who like that sort of thing). But in Mexico, that same time of year is a day of honoring and remembering loved ones who have passed on. It is also incredibly colorful, and it translates very well on an animated film like The Book of Life. As I understand it, Day of the Dead is not spooky at all. Everything about it seems to be overly colorful, festive, and positive. There is nothing creepy about it, and I find that to be a very refreshing interpretation of the Halloween season.

When a Family Member is Ill

Today, I am grateful for times when a family member becomes ill. By "ill," I mean something like a common cold or a bad headache for a day or so, something that's only bad enough to make a person want to stay in bed for most of one or two days.

For me and my wife, today was one of those days, but things are looking better. As bad as a minor illness sometimes is, I am grateful for the opportunities they present to show extra love, to learn and demonstrate extra compassion and kindness. It's often the little challenges (and most big ones, to be sure), that give families a chance to come closer together.

Pirates On Stranger Tides

Have I expressed gratitude for this already? Does that matter?

Anyway, I finally, finally, got to see the fourth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, On Stranger Tides, today. I like the Pirates movies (even the third one, despite a plot as twisted and convoluted as the giant whirlpool at the end), and I love the original Disneyland ride. I'm excited to see the fifth Pirates movie later this year, but I figured I needed to see the fourth one first.

It was a fun film, every bit as ridiculous, surprising, and entertaining as the ones before it. I especially appreciated this one scene with the skeleton on the bed looking at a map through a magnifying glass. The pose of that skeleton came straight from the Disneyland ride. I also remember that on the ride, the magnifying glass was positioned such that as you ride by on your boat, the skeleton's teeth look bigger through the glass. A really cool effect.

Anyway, I am grateful for Pirates of the Caribbean. All of it. Including the fourth movie.

Websites for Fanfiction

My wife has recently had some small success with a fanfiction piece she's been updating weekly online. She seems to have a pretty consistent group of readers for her story, and it is exciting to see other people react to it.

Naturally, this inspired me to start writing a fanfic of my own. Now, I don't expect the same success my wife has been enjoying, but I suspect I will have fun writing it. That is why I am grateful for website platforms (Fanfiction.net, Wattpad, etc.) that provide a suitable place for fanfiction.

Old Solid Oak Furniture

Shortly after my parents got married, they got an oak table and chair set for their kitchen. This is the set that I've used all my life until I left for college. My parents took the table and chairs with them when they moved. Then, they got a newer and better set, and decided to give the old one to me and my wife. Now, I'm still using the same table and chairs I grew up with.

Even more impressive, it's all still strong and solid. Sure, the finish isn't the best, and there are many scratches if you look closely, but it's all still working—after more than 25 years.

I am grateful for old solid oak kitchen furniture.

Walk Breaks at Work

Occasionally, afternoon breaks at work involve a short walk around a couple blocks with other co-workers. It is enjoyable and a great change of pace (literally). Although the sun and fresh air is initially a shock after hours at a computer desk, I always welcome this type of break.

As an added bonus, I get to play Pokemon GO while walking outside (yes, I still play that awesome game).

I am grateful for walk breaks at work.

Playtesting Tabletop Games

It should come as no surprise that I love tabletop games, old and new. In addition, I love to playtest new games of all kinds. Of course, I never get paid to playtest games (though that would be awesome), I still find it a very fulfilling type of work (play?).

I have had some recent opportunities to playtest some games, which is why it's on my mind now. (Also, I'm aware that National Tabletop Day is this Saturday). I won't go into specifics about the games themselves, but I will say that it plays right into a strength I've always had since I was a kid: I love to read game instructions. I like knowing just how a game is supposed to go so I can take the lead in explaining it all in simple terms for everyone else.

Also, playtesting helps me to be a better critic. It is easy for me to focus on the good of anything, but it's often hard for me to notice many areas of possible improvement. Playtesting tabletop games helps me to look for ways to make a game more fun or understandable.

I am grateful for opportunities to playtest tabletop games.

When Someone Else Sees What You Always See

I had a busy but wonderful Sunday today. One thing that happened was a visit from my aunt and young cousins. They had never been to my home since I've been married so I was excited to see them again and to show off the home to them.

I love my current home, and yet I think I've forgotten—in even a small degree—how blessed I am to live in it. My aunt had many good things to say about the place and I realized that I truly am very blessed to live where I live (of course, being married also makes living somewhere a lot better, at least for me). I enjoyed seeing my home through new and grateful eyes.

I am grateful for a chance to see my home through someone else's eyes.

Today Felt Like Friday...But Still On A Thursday

Normally, I like Fridays the most. But this week I was really looking forward to Thursday, today. Two reasons: First, my wife and I attended a brief but uplifting church-related meeting after work today. Second, game night with friends (specifically, Dungeons & Dragons). It felt like a Friday today.

I am grateful for days that feel like Fridays.

Now, I know it can be depressing to think it's Friday when it's not, but I think it's great to have otherwise normal days feel more special sometimes. I prefer to focus on the good. :)

QA

QA here stands for Quality Assurance. I know it could mean many different things for different companies and organizations. In my workplace, Quality Assurance refers to a task done by one of my direct supervisors. Each week, my direct supervisor looks over a sample of my work and provides helpful feedback. It can be easy for me to get into a simple and overly-efficient routine with my editing work. So, weekly quality assurance helps me see where I fall short and allows me to get back on track.

I am grateful for the QA (Quality Assurance) work done by my co-workers.