CFC BLOG #158: Gratitude Share Out

I love how the holidays are sort of like agreed-upon interruptions... They give a reason to take a break from day-to-day life - to try new recipes, to travel to be with family or friends, to put phones down... In doing so, these interruptions add perspective to otherwise routine schedules, helping me see what really matters in a new light. Below are some of the responses from different community members about what they are thankful for from this past year. And I'm very excited to share them!

- Amanda

I am thankful for the idea than any stress in my life relates to quality of life and not the ability to live. And when I think about it like this, an imaginary pin pops an imaginary balloon and I sigh with the relief that I don’t have real stress in my life. Instead, I have a sense of urgency and a deep motivation to win and to help people grow and achieve their goals, which is fun. And then I realize that I get to just have fun doing what I love to do, and I’m so thankful! - Angie Dalton

I’m really grateful for my mother in law who takes care of our kids once a week, so that my wife and I can go out together for an evening. - Jags Walia

My daughter got pregnant this year and is due the last week in January! - Irwin Kula

I am grateful for the invisible network of informal help that is coming from all around the globe. From words, advise, and opportunities that sometimes feel like coming out of nowhere, but at the right time. It is the magic of humanity. - Matthias Hollwich

I'm grateful for my grandkids laughter. Just writing this puts a smile on my face .- Rudy Karsan

I’m thankful for unearthing my grandmothers recipe cards around this time of year. As soon as I see the handwriting I smile as I recall many years of handwritten exchanges between us and how special our relationship was. And how I’m grateful I can pass these down and share them with my own children. - Melissa Norman

I'm grateful for holidays giving us an excuse not to be too "busy" for the things that really matter. - Christina Posa

I'm thankful for the moments I share with my family. With two kids now out of the house I relish in the time that we spend together as a family when all four of us get to share the same space. What a treat. - Joe Bruzzese

First, I am grateful for many things in life, most important is staying healthily and in good shape to continue contributing. As I am getting older chronologically, I keep feeling younger. I attribute this to staying active (physically and mentally), having a purpose, and most important connecting with people. Connecting with wonderful folks like you is a wonderful reason to grateful. - Muayyad Al-Chalabi

I'm so grateful to be able to continue my education after graduation as I work towards a master's degree in a field I love. - Amanda Posa

I’m grateful for the joy a new house brings to my life. The work on crafting and building it together with my family (in various degrees of engagement of course) has generated great energy and many memorable moments. We now have a new home, for the first time a home that was entirely built the way wanted it to be. And I am thankful for a participant in one of the sessions I ran this year who challenged me by asking wether I was doing it for the right reasons and whether or not I should apply my skill in even more important places. Unknowingly he set me off on a journey that has only just begun. I thank him for touching me deeply with his question. - Jorgen van der Sloot

My good news is that the little not for profit I run, the Artisanal Economies Project, is on the verge of signing a deal with a publishing house to communicate best artisanal practice to people who have been pushed out of the industrial economy and may be fighting the dual demons of despair and opioid temptation. - Grant McCracken

I am especially grateful for my husband Landon this year. He is my best friend and who I have the most fun with day-to-day. We spent time together traveling this year and resting -- we prayed together and dreamt together and laughed together. I'm grateful for his presence and service to others. - Amanda Eckhardt

I'm extremely thankful for the group of friends I have thanks to CFC of course. So so amazing. And I'm very thankful for all of the students in the FRN network who tirelessly recover amazing food and take their time to ensure their community members are fed. They do this in the rain, in the snow, after natural disasters, and after mass shootings. They inspire me every day. - Regina Anderson

I am grateful for the wonderful memories with Joe, Alyssa and Brooke.  My favorite is snuggling and watching a family movie J- Diana Magana 

I’m thankful for hitting a milestone birthday but still feeling very young of mind and at heart! - Steph Wissink

Having a totally new life-style with my daughter and granddaughter moving in with me. - Alison Posa

I am grateful for a group of young men (late 20s, early 30s) that I meet with every Friday morning at 6:45. The 7 of us spend time loving on each other, sharing highlights and low-lights of the week and trying to share advice on how we might handle certain situations, usually with our wives, our kids or at work. There is absolutely ZERO condemnation for anything that might be shared, but rather love and encouragement because it is likely we too have had a similar “mistake or blunder”. We call ourselves the GOAMs - Guys On A Mission - and the main mission is to Glorify God in the best way that we can at any given moment. And for some of those moments, it can be really REALLY hard because you’re arguing with your wife or you just got blamed for something that wasn’t your fault at work etc etc. And one of the main things I find myself sharing is Kelly’s quote to be kind “whenever possible. And it’s always possible”. I just love that. Even if you totally disagree with someone or you have been the recipient of an unfair act, you CAN Glorify God by choosing to still be kind. So that’s what I’m thankful for, a group of guys on Friday mornings and kindness shown to me when I don’t deserve it. - Mo Pickens

I'm thankful for the people in the world who take the time to recognize strangers. - Chad Nussbaum

I'm grateful for getting to see the world through the eyes of my baby girl each day. - Jaime Posa

I’m thankful/grateful for being joyfully content this past year in all my endeavors, including relationships with my spouse, family members, and friends, my church community, and my vocational opportunities. What a fun and great year! - Landon Eckhardt

I'm grateful that I discovered a bit more of my authentic self. - Jimmy Lee

This year I am grateful I got to be a student this year - inside and outside of school. It’s been a year of being exposed to a lot of new ideas and kinds of people - which hasn’t always been easy! - but I am better now because of it. - Lauren Culbertson

I'm so grateful for my mom - for being the most unbelievable nanny and grandmother we could ask for. - Danielle Posa



I am grateful for…

Birds singing in winter

Ducks waddling down Main Street

Kind people

The ever-changing sky

And Pip

Always Pip

- Kelly Coburn

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

~ Melody Beattie