Hidden Gems

I am grateful for the unexpected niceties that happen everyday. Take, for instance, scouring CraigsList for months and months looking for our first Tiny Home and finding no real leads (I don't think the overpriced, under-repaired motorhome counts...). Then today the absolutely perfect (potentially) listing popped up, even after having been checking everyday—often multiple times a day. We had already conceded many points and were willing to look at less-than-ideal models, but this is exactly what we've been looking for and it's located super close. This could be perfect! I say, "could be" because we're going to check it out today in person to see if it's the real deal.


(This isn't actually what we're looking at, but Tiny Homes come it all shapes and sizes. Photo as it appears on: https://www.tinyhomebuilders.com/tiny-houses/tiny-living)

So thank you, hidden gems and surprises, for showing me that hope needn't ever be lost. Life is not static. We work hard, we challenge ourselves, we stay adaptable, and we allow ourselves to pursue and create opportunities. This is how we prepare ourselves for these moments when we have to be ready to pounce. I know this post is spurred by something relatively trivial (getting this Tiny Home isn't life or death, after all), but its lessons are far-reaching and can be applied in many different areas of life. Here's to being open and ready for life's surprises.

Dinner with Friends

(photo as it appears on: http://www.lovethatfood.com/recipes/noodles-with-peanut-sauce.htm)

I'm grateful for the dinner my wife and I had with our friends. It was their going away dinner and we made some delicious food (spicy peanut sauce and noodles, anyone?). It was good to just hang out with them for a while and talk, sending them off on a good note. Taking the time to get to know people and investing in those relationships (especially if you like 'em!) is one of the great joys in life. As a naturally quiet, shy person it's not always easy, but always worthwhile.

Quasi-lazy Sunday

It wasn't a super lazy Sunday, but it wasn't anything stressful, either. I am grateful to have spent the day with my wife and her parents, helping them around the house while they helped us. It was a lovely day and we got to do some interesting things! For example, we checked out a camper that we saw listed in the local classifieds—our first in-person investigation into Tiny Living. It turned out not to be exactly what we need in a Tiny Home, but it was exciting nonetheless.

(photo as it appears on: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/377387643751846985/)

So thank you, Sunday, for providing us with adventure and low-stress tasks. And thank you, family, for giving us good company.

(photo as it appears on: http://www.lmrblaw.com/starting-new-business-checklist/)

I am grateful that I got a few things done around the house today. Not everything I do is for entertainment or relaxation, but rather out of necessity. Here's to not putting it off and getting it done!

Friday Date Night

I am grateful for the time I got to spend with my wife (and our dog) this evening. It wasn't anything super fancy or over-the-top, but we got to do a little something out of the ordinary and enjoy each other's company. Here's to soaking up the moments we have together.

Getting Back into Running

(photo as it appears on: http://perthurbanrunners.com/week-13-running-plan/)

I am grateful for the experience of getting back into running. I went for my first run in ten months or so last Friday and went again on Monday and Wednesday. It's not always easy to motivate myself to get up and move—especially after work and especially since I bike to and fro—but in the few times I've been, I've already begun to experience the coveted runner's high. Once I start running it's not bad at all, it's just digging deep to put my shoes on and get out there. I've found that to be true of many things—the dread of doing something is much worse than the "something" itself.

So thank you, running, for helping my body adopt more active, healthy habits. The harder I work, the better I feel.

Accustomed to Early Wakeup

This morning, I am grateful that my body is getting accustomed to waking up early. Despite getting up before the sun does, this week I've started waking up before my alarm goes off. It's quite nice not to be shaken out of a dream state and mentally disoriented, but rather naturally opening my eyes with my brain ready to go.

Now, whether or not I choose to get up in that moment or stay snuggled next to my wife for a few extra minutes is another question.

Different Points of View

I am grateful for being exposed to different points of view. Sure, sometimes they're difficult to hear and sometimes I can't believe what I'm hearing, but it's important to "reset" from my own personal assumptions about the world. At the very least, outlandish ideas cause me to go back and reassess what I believe just to be sure I've chosen a reasonable perspective. In all possibility, they may take me back to square one where I start digging through available explanations and sorting through the possible truths.

Either way, there are no negatives to actively listening to another perspective. I get to learn about a fellow human's philosophy and point of view, all while simultaneously working or reworking through my own. Listening is a gateway into humanity's experience and seeking to genuinely understand someone else, even when you outright disagree, is a virtue.

Encounters with Nature

I am grateful for that little blue jay that landed on my head yesterday. Crazy! First, it flew up onto the chair in front of me, looked at me, and then flew off. Next thing I knew it was perched up on the top of my hat, hopping around, moved to the brim, fluttered about a little, and flew away. I was cracking up at the time and simultaneously hoping he didn't "do what birds do" and ruin the moment. That was a funny, briefly exciting experience.

I am not, however, super grateful for the snake I later found in the garage. Not knowing whether or not it was venomous made coaxing it out a bit tense. However, I suppose I got to see nature's doubled-edged sword—a harmless, silly blue jay and a potentially harmful, aggressive snake. I can be grateful that I got this lesson in respecting nature and realizing that humans are not invulnerable.

New Projects

I am grateful for new projects. The beginning is always the most exciting part. Looking forward, there is only potential and progress and I love that feeling. So thank you, new projects, for giving me this excitement and for allowing me to embark on this journey. Happy Saturday.

Real

I am grateful for my wife's willingness to be open, honest, and real. We all display only a fraction of who we are and what we're feeling at any given time, which is OK. It would be totally inappropriate for me to bring my personal issues into the workplace. But even in the right context, being emotionally vulnerable and open is a difficult, scary thing. It takes courage. It takes trust. And I am so grateful that my wife is brave enough to share her internal world with me and that she feels comfortable enough with me to do so.

I know I frequently fall short here, opting instead to hide my emotions out of what is, ultimately, cowardice. I often feel uncomfortable and vulnerable expressing that side of me and having the chance to witness my wife taking that leap of faith makes me want to stand up to this fear and take the plunge with her. Being open and honest is a habit, however, so all I can do is seize the opportunity when it presents itself and do so every time.

How I do anything is how I do everything.

Day Off

I am grateful for this unexpected day off. Since we've been getting ahead the past couple weeks and weather's not so great, I got an early morning text letting me know I could stay home (thankfully, I hadn't left yet). So instead of going in to work, I'm going to spend the day tending to things I've been meaning to for a while. For example, I can clean the kitchen, make some more language flashcards, start a couple projects, and maybe just relax a little. We'll see.

Thank you, rain; thank you, surprises; and thank you, day off. Let's spend it wisely.

Rainy Day

I am grateful for the rain today. It was surprisingly nice to get out and walk around in it. I consciously avoided being bummed that it was raining (which is a pretty typical reaction, I think) and just focused on the beauty of it, the knowledge that I would dry off soon enough and that no harm was done, and that this rain nourishes the earth and everything on it. Thank you rain. I'll see you again tomorrow.

The Helpfulness of Others

I am grateful for the willingness of others to help and to offer their wisdom without hesitation or expectation of a return. I have reached out to a few people in hopes of gaining some insight into their experiences and have already received positive responses. Granted, those I've heard back from are part of my family, but their overwhelming and genuine desire to help is incredible.

Thank you, family, for your unceasing support, regardless of how long it has been since we last talked. Thank you, everyone, for your past, present, and future willingness to lend a hand. May I be able to return the favor someday.

Wildlife

(photo as it appears on: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/blue-jay/)

I am grateful for the fleeting image of a couple birds as I worked on my computer on the porch this late afternoon. At first, a female woodpecker flew into a small tree immediately in front of me along with what I thought was her male counterpart. However, once the female flew off and the male hopped down to the ground, I realized it was a blue jay (they both have a similar angular silhouette). Then another bird flew down, which I thought was the male woodpecker chasing off the blue jay, but it ended up being another blue jay. Oh, well. We have a resident woodpecker that lives here and it's always super cool to see (though its chirp isn't exactly tranquil and relaxing—it sounds more like one of those yapping toy dogs).

Anyways, I am grateful for the chance to observe some beautiful birds, one of the many offerings nature has all around us should we only look up every once in a while.

Errands

I am grateful that my wife and I got to drive for a bit today while we took care of some errands. I know that doesn't sound too exciting, but it was a beautiful day and quite lovely for a ride in the car. The sun was shining, skies were blue, and there was a wonderful breeze out that kept us cool. We also had the opportunity to try out a new restaurant for lunch, which was delicious (and nutritious).

So thank you, errands, for letting my wife and I to take a mini trip today.

Friday

I am grateful that today is Friday and that after a hard week of work, I can finally relax for a couple days with my wife. I am also thankful that she has the weekend off, too! It's been questionable with her schedule, but now we can hang around the house and take care of ourselves. We'll have some chores, checking in on the garden, mowing the lawn, but it's all contributing towards bettering our home (plus, we get to relax as much as we want). And it all starts with dinner and a movie!

Thank you, Friday, for rewarding all the hard workers in the world by giving them a couple days to rest and recuperate (even though their "Friday" fall on a different day of the week—for those who work weekends). Thank you that I may spend time with my wife and simply enjoy her company. It's important to work, but it's also important to cherish the time we have with our family.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date.

Physical Activity

(photo as it appears on: https://www.haikudeck.com/physical-activity-education-presentation-ZF2TeSmYSH)

I am grateful for all this physical activity I've been getting lately which has been integrated into my daily routine. Sure, I feel more tired and I don't always look forward to biking into work when I wake up early, but I also feel more physically fit and more in tune with my body after having done it a while. A morning bike ride, a more physical job, and an afternoon ride home (during which I usually push myself a little harder to get these legs in better bike shape) have all upped my overall activity level, which my body needed anyways.

When I was in school, running around and playing sports was always a given. But now that I've up and flown the coop (and have for a while now), my health and exercise are entirely up to me. I have to be my own mentor and tell myself, "You'll thank me later," which isn't always easy to do. But here's to trying, and here's to a happy, healthy life.

Wife Lessons

I am grateful for the various ideas and perspectives my wife has exposed to me during the course of our relationship. Only by hearing how others speak who have not yet been exposed to them do I realize how much I've grown because of her. I am a better person for knowing her and for that, I thank her.

New Bike

I am grateful for this new bike I started riding this week. By new, I mean eighteen years old. But it's new to me. There's been some rough terrain I have to cross trying to get to work and my road bike just wasn't cutting it. This super sweet mountain bike, on the other hand, is surely capable of handling all the sand, mud, potholes, and anything else that might be thrown at it. So thank you, bike, for enabling me to get to work and to go on little adventures. And thank you, Craigslist seller, for being a friendly, older gentleman, with whom it was a pleasure to meet. Tonight we ride!

(photo as it appears on: http://index.weldtite.co.uk/reviews/view/dirtwash-g-strings-and-bike-cleaner-spray-dee-fry)

Sunset

I am grateful for the brief sunset I got to see as I walked Roy down to the bay. Beautiful yellows, oranges, pinks, reds, and purples. I didn't get to see the sun itself, as it had already dipped below the horizon, but it's hard to complain with the waves lapping at the shore on such a beautiful day.

Thank you, sun, for rising and setting everyday and sharing your light show with us. Thank you, Roy, for encouraging me to get up and go on a walk every once in a while. And thank you, jogger, for recognizing Roy as "The Sweater Dog" and letting me know you had been looking for him when he was out exploring.

(photo as it appears on: http://michaelzphotography.com/buy/sunset/)

Loving Wife

I am grateful that my wife loves me enough to learn how to make coffee even though she hates it. That's love.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

I am grateful for the amazing things people are capable of when they put their minds to it and focus their will. It is absolutely incredible what we can do. Last night, I watched some good friends (and musicians) play a show. Fingers flying, melodies singing, harmonies walking—beautiful, concerted talent. I've tried playing the violin. It's hard. As a beginner, I make sounds I didn't think were possible on an instrument and it's not pretty. But up there on the stage, the violinist was flying along the fingerboard, drawing his bow with ease and rocking out that beautiful instrument. He started out just like me—slowly, painfully, and probably exasperated at points. But he kept practicing, fine-tuning his slowly-increasing skill set until finally he could stand up on a stage and leave people in awe of his talent, i.e. hard work, dedication, practice, etc. And this is true of all the musicians on that stage. And this is also true of every single endeavor we as humans dedicate ourselves to. We are capable of so much should we only commit to working through the tough spots and being willing to suck at it for a while. The only way to grow is to reach up.