Tonight I saw a few friends doing 30 days of thankfulness for November and it seemed pretty cool. I’ve tried to do it before, but like most social media fads, I forget after a few days. Like, when I was supposed to do the 10 most influential books, I quit on number 8 or something. Same thing with most influential albums. I try them, but I don’t usually stick with it because there are other things on my mind or whatever.

I’m a pretty blessed, or lucky, or charmed person. I have a wonderful husband and partner in life, two really cool kids, and a supportive, warm extended family. We have a warm house and healthy food. I have the means to get what I need for both myself and my family. I have a meaningful career and gifted coworkers who I learn from every day. I get to work with amazing kids who challenge me to be my best. These are all things I should probably celebrate more often.

It’s easy to get lost in the minutiae of everyday life, especially when there is so much terrible news everywhere: shootings, fear-mongering, threats, and what feels like a general breakdown in civic health. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and trust me, I do a lot. Taking a step back and trying to find positive is helpful, at least mentally. It’s better than when I look out at 5:25 and it’s dark out already. Sad.