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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Thankfulness on Thankfulness on Thankfulness.


First things first: I GOT A LIBRARY CARD. For the first time ever, I updated my licence as soon as my address changed, and I did it for the sole reason of getting a library card. 

I don't understand why everyone doesn't have a library card...it's completely free, as are all of the books you get to check out. FREE BOOKS. ANYTIME. ALL THE TIME. HEAVEN. I got most of the books in this stack just because the covers were pretty and the plot looked interesting. If I hate them, it's fine, because they were free. Get yourself a library card! And then tell me what you're reading so I can read it too...for free. 

I think the biggest thing I'm thankful for this week is how I've been pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I've been going out with Jack, just me and him. We did our first solo big grocery shopping trip, a Target run, tried out a support group (that sounds depressing but it's more of a bible study/built in friends) for doctor's wives, and even went to church by ourselves. 

High school me would be shocked. College me would be shocked. Really, me three months ago would be shocked. I don't go places alone. I get intensely anxious over situations where I don't know people or where things could easily go wrong. But I did it. 


Yes, it was uncomfortable. Yes, my hands shook as I was driving to meet up with a group of women I didn't know. Yes, I felt anxious and out of place and overwhelmed a few times. Yes, the above picture is an accurate depiction of taking Jack new places. But I did it. And I'm so thankful that I did! Because next time will be easier. And the next time will be even easier. And even in the most anxious of moments, getting to carry this sweet little bub around Target, or rock him to sleep in church? Thankful, thankful, thankful. 

I talk a lot about thankfulness. I know that sometimes, when someone is always talking about the positive, it can come across as a little forced and maybe even fake. So I wanted to give you a quick behind the scenes peek over here. 

I have a sinus infection (true life: I just typed "science-infection" three times in a row). My throat and ears are killing me and it's just not fun. Jack is currently doing this new thing where he skips his nap and then laughs/cries/screams because he's so tired, but he doesn't want to sleep. I need to do the dishes, and the laundry, and probably a lot more, but I've decided to have coffee under a blanket instead. 

It is loud and stuffy and messy up in here. 

But that doesn't change the fact that I just feel so thankful for my life. 

In reality, your life is probably always going to be full of good things, and it's going to be full of not-so-good things. There will be times where the balance makes it so easy to be thankful, and there will be times where the balance makes you just want to cry with how unfair life seems. But there's always going to be good and bad. If you look for the good, it's there. If you look at the bad, it will drown you. 


So why not look at the good? Why not celebrate it? Why not drown your days in thankfulness? 

Life is so much better that way. 

What are you thankful for this week?

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35 comments:

  1. I am ALWAYS thankful for my library card. I have gone to the library since I was very young and love a trip there more and more each time!

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  2. Yesss to your book stack! I also don't know why everyone wouldn't want a library card-- especially with e-books and not even having to leave your house to get a new book for free. So encouraged to read how you've propelled yourself out of your comfort zone because it definitely isn't easy!

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  3. I have a library card & love it!! That's so great that you are pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Feel better soon!
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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  4. I just got a library card, too! As a broke college girl, it really helps not having to spend $10-15 per book I'd like to read. This week, I'm thankful for my boyfriend for keeping me sane. I've been a stressball lately and he never feeds into my craziness...just lets me vent and be! Sometimes that's all you need, ya know? You're right - there's ALWAYS something to be thankful for, and it's important for us to make sure we're always looking at the bigger pictures when times get rough. Hope you feel better!

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  5. You are doing great!! Keep it up and I LOVE a good library trip! I was like this and then I moved to a new city on my own in 2007/at the age of 24 and everything changed. I am shocked, too. You got this!!

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  6. Libraries are the best! Ours is rather small, however they have an excellent online lending program which I adore...free books for my Kindle? Yes please!

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  7. I don't know what I would do without our library! Sorry about the sinus infection. :/ But way to get out there and be brave! I totally understand.

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  8. Congratulations on pushing yourself past your comfort zone-- it's the best way to grow in life! I go to the library all the time and also choose books mainly by the cover. It works most of the time (; I'm sick too, so I'm thankful for medicine, hot tea, and netflix this week!

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  9. YES library cards are the best! I don't know why I didn't get one years ago. I do Kindle books though so I don't even have to get my butt to the actual library. Ha! Sinus infections are no bueno, hope you feel better soon!

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  10. Library cards make my world go 'round.

    It's really easy to stay comfortable, but so important to push beyond it sometimes. Good for you!

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  11. Yes yes and more yes. I just got a library card, I need to go to the library! I want to read all the books you have pictured. I just read "we're all damaged" and it was good. Hope you feel better!

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  12. I'm all about going places with Aiden by myself (as drastic as going to the beach and as mundane as walking to the library.....WHICH I LOVE BECAUSE, YES, FREEE! Except when my fines get too high. But whatever.) so major fistbump to you, brave mama!! :D

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  13. Browsing a cool library on a hot summer day is literally one of my favorite activities! Also, most libraries have e-books too, so you can check out books on your kindle! This was easy when I was working and didn't have time to make it to the library, but definitely isn't as fun as browsing. Now that I have a baby I am getting to the library even more--I also love that they host so many free activities for kids!

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  14. Awesome job pushing yourself out of our comfort zones! I love going to the library too - give me all the books!! haha:)

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  15. I LOVE my library card! And you will love that Emily Giffin book! I'm reading it now and even though I'm only about 4 chapters in, I'm already hooked. She is my favorite author anyway, though, so I know that anything she writes will be good!

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  16. AH you just reminded me! I haven't been able to get a library card since..yeah, high school because I've had a MI license but haven't lived there in forever, but we're staying here (in TX) for the long haul (we hope..) so I need to get a license JUST FOR THE LIBRARY CARD!! I really want to get some books on tape actually. I feel like that's cheating. But hey, there are only so many hours in a day and I can listen more than I can stop and read. And GO YOU for all the outings! I am like you. I do not go places alone. No thank you. Anytime we go out with people we do know, I am a ball of anxiety. So hearing that is very inspiring to me ;)

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  17. I love this...all the way from getting a library card (I've been obsessed with going lately) to stepping out of your comfort zone. Way to GO!! That's awesome and something to be thankful for andddd proud of :)

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  18. Good for you, girlfriend! Stepping outside your comfort zone always is scary, but I bet you feel so good and proud of yourself for pushing yourself a little bit. And, YES to the library card! I'm obsessed with mine.

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  19. Congrats on stepping outside of your comfort zone!!! That is awesome and really such an amazing feeling! My library is under construction, but as soon as the reno is done, I am getting over there and getting myself a library card!

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  20. Good for you pushing yourself out of your comfort zone! I also have a really difficult time pushing myself into new situations alone...but it sounds like it is paying off!

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  21. It's been way too long since I've had a library card, and you've totally inspired me to change that! :-D
    Green Fashionista

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  22. Girl, my library card is one of my very favorite things. Like, losing it might send me into a downward, crying spiral of sadness. I've been a book buying madwoman lately so I'm sort of missing out on the goodness of the library, but Jason works late tonight so I might go and read in the goodness of that beloved, quiet place.

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  23. I definitely try to look on the bright side of things most often!

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  24. YAY for the library card! I'm so sorry you have a sinus infection! Praying that you feel better soon! I, like you, get so anxious meeting with people I don't know. I decided to go to the LDW convention since it's in Dallas, but I'm so nervous about it! What if everyone already has friends from the other conventions, you know? I'm so impressed you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone so many times this week! :)

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  25. You crack me up with your library card talk, but they really are the best! And I'm so glad you are getting out. Finding other mamas to make up your tribe is so important for the survival of motherhood!

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  26. I bet you're going to put your library card to great use! I used to be the same way. I'd get so anxious when I had to go into public alone. My nerves were shot. I would be exhausted from a day of shopping, probably because I stressed myself out so much, but like you said, the more you do it, the easier it gets! Now I love pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

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  27. So happy you got a library card and support libraries (I work in one!). Pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone is so hard. Congrats for doing it! I think babies help with that....so many people are drawn to them and they are an instant conversation starter making it a tad bit easier. Can't wait to hear more about your new life and town!

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  28. "If you look at the bad, it will drown you." YES. I had a class at work today about positive thinking... truthfully I'm not the best at it, but it makes life so much easier! Feel better, friend!

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  29. Oh, Emily Griffin! She's love, love, love.

    I'm a big believer of gratefulness and positive vibes. We attract what we focus on and having a grateful heart brings us more of what we're thankful for.

    Love life!

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  30. I just got a library card on Friday! I've moved so many times the past few years that I never committed to the local library, but now that we bought a house I know we will be here for a while so I went over on Friday!! I got three books and I'm so excited about making a list of books to read! You will have to let us know what you think of the ones you got!

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  31. I'm thankful for my kids and family and everything that God gives us.
    Hope you feel better soon!
    I've just a had sinus infection myself a week ago and it's so difficult. When you have kids, you don't really have time for sick days:)

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  32. I'm moving next week and I am so nervous about putting myself out there and meeting new people but you have inspired me to just give it a try! I LOVE the library! This week I'm thankful for the time my husband has off from work before moving and for the time we're spending with family!

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  33. I know this post is so relatable for so many people! I actually just wrote a post on Tuesday about how plain awkward it can be to stop outside of your comfort zone as an adult to make friends and such. I love how eloquently and honestly you share these emotions.

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  34. I just got a library card and I plan on putting it to good use when summer classes are over!

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  35. HOoray for a library card! My husband goes all the time! He gets audio books, music, DVD's and books. It's awesome and free!

    Thankfulness makes a huge difference in life. I've been reading in Psalms lately and it says over and over to praise God and be thankful.

    Hope you feel better soon.

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