Thankful
So in case you've been living under a rock, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. In previous years this holiday finds me at home with my family in southeastern Ohio, eating way too much and at some point laughing until we cry and it hurts to breathe. But not this year. We had our Thanksgiving this past weekend- sister work obligations have her working tomorrow. We made it work, though, and it was a wonderful visit home, as always, albeit a short visit. Always seem to be that way, don't they?
I wrote the Grow Appalachia newsletter last week, and I interviewed a couple of our staff as to why they were thankful for Grow Appalachia and the work they were doing. I don't remember exactly what I wrote, but to summarize, it's this: I am thankful to be a part of something that is so much greater than myself. Even on the "slow" days, I still feel as if I'm contributing. There is real change, people's lives being transformed, because of the work of Grow, and it's indescribable to be a part of that change, even on mostly, admittedly, a "backseat" level. For the first time in a while, I feel fulfilled at my place of employment.
There actually is a point to all of this: I got some good news today. I can't say anything else about it right now, but what I can say is that I am looking forward to the future and what it holds for me. I suppose I've always been like that; possessing that unshakable optimism given the ever-looming question mark on the horizon. Plain and simple, it's faith for me, faith that God knows exactly what He's doing! I've never been one to worry about money (although some days are easier than others), never one to obsess over the "what-ifs" of that all-elusive next step (if there even is one); I try to take it one day at a time, thankful for the opportunities I've had and more so for the one I have now. And I am always, always thankful for those who have never wavered in their support for me. I can't stress it enough- it really does make a difference! And for some odd reason, if I get to the end of all of this and there's still that question mark there, then I will have done all of this and learned all of these wonderful things, and it will most definitely have not been in vain. Tomorrow, I'll think of this, as well as all else that I am thankful for, which is way too large to list in just this small space.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When I awoke colors began to fade
Like a rainbow disappearing before my eyes
Somehow the inspiration still remains
I think it means a new day has arrived
A new day has arrived
For a while, I don't care what comes tomorrow
I'm alive, and that's all I need today
 |
| My family, sans older brother, on my college graduation day- without a doubt one of the happiest days of my life. |
Needless to say, this past week has had me feeling a bit out of sorts. The past two days seem to be a bit of a blur. All of this to say, though- I still really love what I'm doing, even in the craziness.
We had a training last week, talking about the "morale curve"; I won't get into the logistics but basically it outlines that for any one employee at a workplace, you start out on a high- there's excitement, enthusiasm, perhaps a bit of anxiety. As the job goes on, said employee might start to see their curve travel downwards- perhaps this gig wasn't what they expected, they're feeling frustrated, disappointed, maybe even a bit depressed. As more time passes, the acceptance of all of those "down" feelings sets in, and the curve starts to rise again, but never at the original starting high. I don't think I've reached the perpetual downward traveling yet. I'm sure maybe at some point I will. But it hasn't happened yet.
I wrote the Grow Appalachia newsletter last week, and I interviewed a couple of our staff as to why they were thankful for Grow Appalachia and the work they were doing. I don't remember exactly what I wrote, but to summarize, it's this: I am thankful to be a part of something that is so much greater than myself. Even on the "slow" days, I still feel as if I'm contributing. There is real change, people's lives being transformed, because of the work of Grow, and it's indescribable to be a part of that change, even on mostly, admittedly, a "backseat" level. For the first time in a while, I feel fulfilled at my place of employment.
There actually is a point to all of this: I got some good news today. I can't say anything else about it right now, but what I can say is that I am looking forward to the future and what it holds for me. I suppose I've always been like that; possessing that unshakable optimism given the ever-looming question mark on the horizon. Plain and simple, it's faith for me, faith that God knows exactly what He's doing! I've never been one to worry about money (although some days are easier than others), never one to obsess over the "what-ifs" of that all-elusive next step (if there even is one); I try to take it one day at a time, thankful for the opportunities I've had and more so for the one I have now. And I am always, always thankful for those who have never wavered in their support for me. I can't stress it enough- it really does make a difference! And for some odd reason, if I get to the end of all of this and there's still that question mark there, then I will have done all of this and learned all of these wonderful things, and it will most definitely have not been in vain. Tomorrow, I'll think of this, as well as all else that I am thankful for, which is way too large to list in just this small space.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When I awoke colors began to fade
Like a rainbow disappearing before my eyes
Somehow the inspiration still remains
I think it means a new day has arrived
A new day has arrived
For a while, I don't care what comes tomorrow
I'm alive, and that's all I need today
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