It's Happy Friday!

11/23/2018

Photo shoot with my babies this week!

Today is Black Friday. And even though I know it's named that for the sales that are made today, putting businesses in the black heading into the Christmas season, there is really nothing black about this day for me.

Coming off the heels of a beautiful Thanksgiving Day in Atlanta, my heart is full and continues to feel gratefulness like I haven't felt in awhile. I've made a new commitment to try and live each day more gratefully, and only because I've recently realized that when you stop counting your blessings, you allow all manner of anger, bitterness, resentment and such to take up space in your heart and a heart of gratefulness really has no room for that. It's like one pushes out the other and it is up to us to decide which will reside in our hearts.

When we first started #our1892adventure, we had no idea what we were up against. But as people doing what they love sometimes do, we dove in head first and sunk our heart, soul, and strength into it. Nearing the end of this renovation project, we found ourselves physically and emotionally depleted with a depleted bank account, and lacking in just about every arena you could imagine. When you are in this state of "existence," you see how you've let some of the important things in your life slip by the wayside and not get the attention needed for health and wellbeing. Like your personal state of mind. Your spiritual state of being. Your relationships with others...maybe even your very own marriage. Sometimes you really don't even realize it until you find yourself standing at the edge of a large canyon and there is a mountain lion on your heels. Do you jump and know you're jumping to your death or do you take your chances with the lion and hope for a miracle? This is how I've felt at times and, believe me, it is not a pretty place to be (no matter how beautiful that mountain lion and canyon is). In times like these, you have to take a step back, ask yourself again (for about the millionth time in your life) what is it that you're wanting in life and reassess the present situation so as to align yourself in that direction. Sometimes we become so focused on the immediate job at hand that we allow it to drain us of all our resources and even our state of mind becomes a needy entity for which there remains nothing left within you to nurture it for the days ahead. You find youself numb, empty, and on the verge of being emotionally alone.

I think this is why I love Thanksgiving more than any other holiday. And that is saying a lot since I am a die-hard Christmas lover. Thanksgiving forces us to take a look at our lives, what is surrounding us, re-focus on the priorities that bring us happiness, and to truly be thankful for the good in our lives. No matter what hard times have faced us in the year, Thanksgiving is the time to dig deep (or maybe some don't have to) to remember the things that are good and truly grateful-worthy. Do you have a roof over your head and food in your mouth? Do you have clothes on your back and peace surrounding you? Do you have even one person in your life who loves you fiercely? Now, I am fully aware there are those out there who might not have any of these things, but only when we take care of ourselves by embracing the good we have can we be strong enough to help others. I pray that Thanksgiving has brought you even one tiny step closer to remembering all that is good in your life. Because others are counting on you and you need gratefulness to be all you can be for them...for your spouse...for your child...for your aging parents...for the person in your life who sees you as their example of hope for the future. I know that sounds really heavy, but to whom much is given, much is required. Isn't that what the good book says?

Now, all that being said, I can finally(!!!!) announce that #our1892adventure is officially on the market and for that I am EXTREMELY grateful. It has been a long, hard ride on a bony horse that has given me bumps and bruises on my backside and thrown me to the ground more times than I can count (metaphorically speaking), and one that I will not soon forget! I'm not quite ready to ride again, but when I do I'm looking for a younger version who won't be so ornery! This ol' 125-year-old gal has just about done us in! But, of course, with Christmas a mere month away now, I had to see how she'd look all dolled up for the holidays and, if I say so myself, she's a beaut! Living here is another blessing I've had to come to realize. No matter how long we're here, having a time of enjoying the love and hard work we've put into this project has given me new perspective and for that I am sincerely grateful.

Wishing you love, peace, and a tuly thankful heart...