A Week (Plus Two Days) of Gratefulness: Part 4

What class are you thankful you took in school?

I’m thankful I took a marketing class in high school because it’s what led me to pursue a degree in marketing and public relations and obviously, led me to teach the same things. I love business and while it wasn’t the best business class I ever took, it was the one that helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life… kinda.

What is a happy memory for which you are grateful?

My favorite memories are always silly ones, full of laughter and joy but it’s also hard to pick just one I'm grateful for out of all the options so I’ll go with a recent one. My squad and I like to do experiences for birthdays and holidays instead of gifts because we all appreciate spending time together and getting outside our comfort zones together. This is one of our most recent adventures for Rachel’s birthday. Our great “Sloth Snaps” adventure. So ridiculous and so fun!

What’s one of your personality traits that you’re grateful for?

Creativity has got to be my most useful trait and the one that I rely on so often. Without creativity I would be lost as a teacher, a dismal budget set designer and a poor special events planner. Luckily, I also enjoy this personality trait and I’m thankful the Lord saw fit to equip me with the tool I so often need for my purpose.

What mistake or failure are you grateful for?

I’m sooooooooooooo incredibly grateful that I didn’t get a job I interviewed for a few years back. The job would have nearly doubled my pay and would have been in the business world. I thought it was almost a done deal because corporate wanted me as did the local owner but the district guy had made up his mind before I walked in the door. I think my favorite part had to be when he told me I didn’t actually do the jobs on my resume. Straight up told me I was lying even though I had references he could have called AND talked with him in-depth about very specific industry methods and protocol.

I wanted out of teaching so bad that year. It was one of the worst of my career and that includes teaching during a pandemic but what I didn’t realize is that I was trying to provide my own security and run from my mission field. I was reminded of that later that evening when our school was faced with a tragedy. The Lord knew where I needed to be emotionally, physically and spiritually. Corporate called a few months later to offer me a different position at a very tempting price tag. I said no because I better understood my purpose even if I didn’t understand the how or why. That’s not a failure I’ve ever regretted. In fact, every time I drive by the building I say a little prayer of thanksgiving!

What skill do you have that you’re grateful for?

I’m a planner and an organizer, perhaps a little too much sometimes, but I never realized how easy it comes to me and how that just isn’t the case for a lot of people. I actually get joy in planning a trip or event where some of my friends find it incredibly stressful. That has made me the itinerary maker, set designer and party themer for most of my groups. (Fun fact: This intense love of planning and organizing events, trips and projects, comes from my FATHER who will plan a family vacation three years in advance. I totally get it!)

What’s something that you bought recently that you’re grateful for?

I, and my squad, “adopted” a sloth named Bojangles in honor of our Hufflepuff, Rachel. She loves sloths and Bojangles is a cutie patootie!

What’s something that you made recently that you’re grateful for?

I don’t get the opportunity to be creative as much as I’d like but school gives me an opportunity from time to time and Homecoming week is definitely one of those times. This was my costume for Fire vs Ice day and it was worth every itchy piece of tulle.

Look around the room and write about everything you’re grateful for.

I’m thankful for my Bible, all the prayers in my journal, my students, all the weird things that represent amazing memories, the pictures of my family and friends and all the technology I have access to for knowledge.

Write about 3 things you’re grateful for today.

As exhausted as I am nearly everyday, I try to remind myself of the blessing of having a life that hasn’t been affected by COVID as some people’s lives. We can all agree that the last two years have been rough but I am grateful for the blessings that still occur.
I’m grateful for the refreshment that this time of year brings to my soul! Fall speaks to my spirit and makes me want to dance. I was feeling burnt out and overwhelmed but the color changes, warm smells and overall beauty has reminded me to slow down.
This is silly but I’m grateful that I can start decorating for Christmas. I love the ambiance of the holidays so the earlier the better!