Day 33/365: Constructive Criticism

Today I'm thankful for thinking people who offer constructive criticism when asked.  That's pretty specific.  I have a project that I'm working on for my main online home that I sent out to some trusted friends for review.  I got a fantastic response from one of them that led to an overall improvement in the final product.  I am supper blessed to have good friends!

Day 29/365: Instrumental Acoustic Guitar

Just found a big collection of Andy Mckee and some other instrumental guitarists.  It's fun to hear some new music, especially stuff that is so relaxing.  I'm finding it really helpful for spending time writing.  I'm thankful for other people sharing their creative ventures for the benefit of the world.

Day 28/365: Small victories

Finding out that I'm helping people reconsider their lives for the better lately has been a really validating experience.  Opening myself up to criticism and finding that it's more helpful than hurtful has been great too.  I'm really enjoying this writing experiment and doing what I can to improve other people's lives.  Very thankful for a growing audience for my thoughts and that they are actually helpful.

Day 27/365: The War of Art

Today I'm thankful that Steven Pressfield sat down and wrote The War of Art.  It's a great book on overcoming Resistance and doing the work you were created to do.  Not the mind numbing, no thinking for yourself cascade of assignments someone else is giving you.  The work that makes your heart beat fast.  Helped me get back in the saddle today and start writing.  About 1000 words later here I am feeling grateful.

Day 25/365: Friends

Sorry for the momentary lapse.  Today I'm thankful for friends who let you know that people are watching you.  The accountability is invaluable.  It's also helpful to know that you are adding some value by putting some thought into life.  Thanks!

Day 24/365: Conflicted Minimalism

Everyday I am bombarded with advertising.  It tickles the trained consumer in me to buy the newer, bigger, faster, better, something-er thing when I have a completely serviceable item already in my possession.  The fight for minimalism is a daily wrangling of my idol factory of a heart into submission to contentment and gratitude for what I have been given.  I am pretty annoyed with the fact that I can't seem to just settle into minimalism without temptation to own more or better or more expensive things.

In the midst of all that though, I am very thankful to be having the inner fight.

I am grateful for the people who have written a lot about paring down your things and inspired me down the path.  I'm thankful for the tension where I have to be intentional about what I have and where it goes and what I don't have.

Making conscious decisions about possessions that I have had and need to part with or that I have not had and do not need to acquire has been a healthy exercise for me.

Day 23/365: Harebrained Schemes

I am thankful for people who make me think big thoughts today.  I have a buddy who is a constant stream of ideas.  Not all of them are great, and many of them are downright nuts, but it's always fun to spitball them.  We just throw everything against the wall and see what sticks.

Day 22/365: Date Night

Even though we've been living in the same house all week, I feel like haven't seen my wife at all.  Tonight we had date night at Moe's to remedy that horrible situation.  I am thankful for my wife and for some time to spend just talking with her and eating the loophole food of the universe, the Funkmeister.

Day 21/365: First World Problems

I am thankful that all of my problems are first world problems.  There are no clean towels at the gym.  I'm hungry but I don't feel like cooking.  I am also thankful that this has been pointed out to me so I can train myself to quit complaining about first world problems.  No one likes a whiner anyway.

Day 20/365: When annoying things make you adjust your frame of reference

I was supposed to clean carpets today.  My boss left without me.  At first I was highly perturbed.  Then I saw the opportunity to do the following instead for the morning: encourage a friend to get engaged in a local church, complete some important paperwork, drink coffee, line up some more bike wheel building, get some reading done, and repent of my thinking the world should revolve around me.  Pretty productive change of plans!

I'm thankful for yet another display about how the universe is not about me and another gut check on how tiny the things are that I complain about on a regular basis.

Day 19/365: Earning Money Quietly

Today I'm thankful for a buddy who set me up with a way to make some decent side cash.  I'm a wheel builder now!  I can work when I want to, it is a very quiet job, and I don't really have to deal with much nonsense.  These things all make me very happy.

Day 18/365: Partners

Had lunch with the couple that is partnering with us in starting a new small group.  It was a great time and we got some good planning done for the future.  Thankful for them as friends and for the opportunity to think well about doing something important.

Day 17/365: Learning

Today my wife and I enjoyed 4 hours of training on leading small groups in our church.  I love learning.  Therefore I love good classes.  This was a good class.  We're really looking forward to starting our small group.

Day16/365: Good Examples

Some of our friends had a neighborhood cookout tonight for the purpose of getting to know neighbors and be good neighbors themselves.  I'm all for knowing and enjoying people, so I'm thankful for the good example of getting folks together for the sake of community.

Day 15/365: Work

Today I'm thankful that I have the means to earn income to help support my family.  Worked a longish day and am good and tired.  The honest kind of tired that makes you sleep well at night.

Day 14/365: The New Blaster

Today I took delivery of a new pistol, the Smith and Wesson M&P 9.  I decided to make the switch to the M&P series of guns because Glocks eat my hands and my hands eat Glocks.  Thankful that I have the ability to buy something else and that a lot of my stuff has sold to free up some cash lately.

Day 13/365: Monster Biking

Got to go up to Paris Mountain State Park and hit the trails with a buddy.  Rode my single speed hard tail in and his full squish carbon fiber bike out.  Made me want to put all of my stuff back on the full suspension frame.  Had a blast!  I am thankful for the time and for it not feeling as hot as everyone said it would yesterday.

Day 12/365: Iron Sharpening Iron

Just got home from hanging out with a friend's small group at church.  Had a wonderful time of learning and teaching and considering my own heart and its propensity to sin.  Most encouraging thing all night is hearing my wife start to come into her own as a help mate for me.  Friends who love Jesus really help us see ourselves more clearly.

You were right Bruce Milne, "We Belong Together."

Day 11/365: Dan the Man

Today I am thankful for my good friend Dan who is being ordained as a pastor and will heretofore be known only as Rev.

Day 10/365: Reunions

I got to share a meal with a friend I have not seen in a long time today.  It is always good to be reunited with old friends, especially when you get to hear how things are going really well for them right now.  And especially when it involves all you can eat pancakes.