Thankful Thanksgiving
(I so adore and respect this younger version of myself! What all she/me/we/I have survived and the ways we’ve grown are incredible.)
I am Thankful.
This year, for the first time in several years, I am working on Thanksgiving. Well, I’m not sure I’ve ever actually worked on Thanksgiving ever, maybe years ago as a bartender or server, but I am actually working a J O B currently and its been over 3 years since I was healthy enough physically or emotionally to do so. And I’m not sure I’m well enough now, but I’m pushing myself to see… I need to know – for me.
In my J O B (jump-outta-bed – traditional job), I’m a caregiver for clients in their home or residential settings.
I see people living the life I do not want for myself. Their minds and/or bodies are not healthy enough for them to live independently any longer. That’s not at all what I want. Many must use adult undergarments, walkers or wheel chairs and rely on others in numerous ways they too didn’t plan or want for themselves. Nope! Not for me! No thanks!
My favorite ones to work with (Yes, I do have favorites) are those who continue to strive to improve their setbacks (as they see them). They have better mental attitudes, groovy sunnier dispositions and an attitude of gratitude! These people are much more likely to improve – in spite of their current circumstances and the
Thank you for the motivation to double-down with eating healthy, exercising, doing kagels at the stoplights and whenever I can remember to and for highlighting the need to be fiscally strong.
Money is important!
Money creates options and not having it severely impacts ones quality of life – for the entire lifespan. From being able to buy better food, exercising options, healthcare, dental, vision… Money provides choices that don’t exist if you don’t have it.
So there’s that – money is a reason to be thankful for this J O B.
And I am very Thankful. I’m earning money, learning what I don’t want for myself and, so far, I’ve been able to handle this J O B – when they schedule me part-time (full time was too much! And I’d feel better with working just 3 days instead of the 4 I’m scheduled – yes I’ve requested less and they are working on hiring more people…)
I’m going to be missing the traditional family gathering at my brother’s home. My sister and her (adult) kids aren’t going to make it either this year. (Does that mean I’m missing less?) The weather is scheduled to potentially mess up the travel plans of the others with snow and other forms of precipitation and as if that wasn’t enough there’s a wildfire nearby too! So I’m kinda thankful I don’t have to navigate those stressors.
Holiday pay! In the big picture, I’d rather navigate the stressors and be with family than work at my J O B, but hey – holiday pay is cool since I have to work. Thank you!
Just over 3 years ago I was admitted to a psychiatric ward. I would go back there 2 more times over the next couple years. It was shit and I was shit at the time and I am so very much better now and celebrate my mental health! Thank You!
I’m making travel plans for another Groovy, Grand, Glorious Adventure this year – anticipating a May Day escape! I’m planning on heading West to the coast, meandering up slowly towards the Canadian border and then along the border states that I’ve not been to before, taking in National, State and local Parks as I make my way to the East Coast.
Then I’ll drop down to spend time with my daughter in GA and
then visit my Groovy Beach Island in SC. I hope to take in some new places
around there.
Along the way, I want to meet up with friends, old and new and just met!
Life can be pretty Groovy!
More so now, even more than before, I see the importance of choosing what you want in life AND then taking action on those choices. Waiting until, “a better time”, happens isn’t valid in my opinion – make it happen and take action to make it happen – now!
Because “now” is all we really have.
I just received a text from my brother and learned that my sister-in-law was involved in a vehicle pile-up from the wildfire smoke on the highway along highway 101 yesterday. She’s ok, car maybe not, and others in other cars, maybe not. I’ve friends who have permanent life-changing injuries from car accidents…
Now. All we really have is now.
A year ago I left my home to stay with a friend for over 3 months because my housemate was being a shit. I was recovering with a stint by my heart and meds for heart failure, I’d recently been diagnosed with a benign brain tumor and I had some gnarly vertigo challenges and cataracts in both eyes. Yes, Just as my mental health was improving, my physical health went to crappers.
Health is wealth – don’t squander it!
I’ve worked to improve my mental and physical health. And it has been work!
I’ve recently been able to cut back on my heart meds, I‘ve been able to discontinue my psych meds too! I can see nearly 20/20 (and that’s a huge, liberating miracle – I’ve worn corrective lenses since I was 6!), my brain was zapped with gamma rays and my housemate has decided to behave better. Thank You!
Life is full of Groovy Possibilities!
What do you want for you?
Are you doing the work required to create the lifestyle of your dreams? Did you know there’s even (sometimes) work just to become clear on what you want (or don’t want) for your life? I’m here and available to help – you can contact me here: Carol@GroovyHappyYou.com
As Always, I wish you Blessings for Peace, Love, Adventure and Silliness!
Thank you for reading this older post – I hesitated including these and I flipped and flopped and overthought and then decided it would be worth including these as they may be useful to someone else on their own journey.
They not so elegantly document the messiness – and therein lies the beauty and purpose.
If you’d like to work with a life coach who’s walked some dark paths and also played with rainbows and fireflies please feel free to contact me here for availability and pricing.