My Gratitude Journal

Three things every time. Hopefully different things…

6/7/18

Warm weather. Although it’s been too hot lately, I’m a fan of nice weather.

Air conditioning. My wife and I bought a new AC unit for the bedroom last night. Best night’s rest I’ve had in about a week.

Grandma’s. My mom and my wife’s mom watch our son while I am in school/work and my wife works. I may have mentioned that before, but it bears repeating.

 

6/3/18

Masonry. I have been a member of the oldest and largest fraternity, the Free and Accepted Masons. I have had the chance to gain friends through the craft and allowed people in my life that I otherwise wouldn’t have – mostly for the best. It’s been a great organization for me and lessons I have learned. I am grateful for my membership even if lately I haven’t been super duper active.

Caffeine. I work a lot. Matter of fact I am almost done with a stretch of 40 days in a row right now. Caffeine has helped me not drag during that. Also, for whatever reason, I feel like a better person while taking it. I am happier, more energetic, compassionate. I like it. Wish I wasn’t so dependent, but I am. and I’m ok with that.

Violin lessons. I am starting lessons soon. Ya, I’m old. I don’t care. I wanted to learn so I bought a violin and contacted a teacher. So… here I go. And I am excited and grateful for the opportunity.

 

5/29/18

My future job. I have accepted an offer from the Utah Emergency Physician’s group to work as a Nurse Practitioner in the ER in several hospitals in Salt Lake valley. I am thrilled. The pay and package are great, the experience will be priceless and the people will be awesome to work with. I’m a little shocked I was hired (as a new grad) by what I see as the ‘major league’ but I am thrilled.

My clinical placements. I have had some amazing preceptors and mentors. I am grateful for those who are willing to take on students (cuz I know it adds work) and let me learn while fumbling through it. This is the first time I have really enjoyed family practice, and it’s due in grate part to my preceptor and location.

Construction family. I mean family members who are willing to come and help me with home improvement projects. They are hard workers, cheap and smarter than I am about a lot of stuff. Love em.

 

5/23/18

Call center workers. It’s hard work, I hated it. I am glad there are those out there that can keep their cool when others are loosing it on the phone. But hey.. stop calling me.

Custodial workers. I am amazed that we take these workers for granted. It’s pretty cool to come to a place that’s clean when it was a disaster the day before. Well done!

Bees. I am a beekeeper, and I love my bees. I will keep it to that at this point, maybe I will write a whole blog on bees sometime.

5/22/18

Being safe. I know I live in a world of doubt and insecurity, I live in a place where child trafficking, drugs, gangs, abuse and general awfulness is a reality and becoming more-so. But I live, or at least feel, safe. I walk to work, drive on a freeway or around town, drink water and eat food without feeling like it may be my last moment. I feel safe.

Money. I feel that the love of money is the root of much evil (I think someone more awesome than I wrote that down once). I have enough to live comfortably, but not enough that I don’t feel like don’t have to work. I love feeling the pressure and strain to excel and grow. I’m wealthy, but not rich. I have enough money to do most things I want, but want more money so I keep working hard. Not bad.

Costco. Ya. seems weird for me to put a store on my grateful list, but I rally am grateful for Costco, and that it’s so close. Bulk is great and I am grateful I get to go and shop there, even tho I live in Mormon central and Mormons are typically large families and they love buying bulk too, so Costco is ALWAYS busy. Except for Sundays….

5/21/18

Seriously? three months? sheesh…

Alright. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to gain high level education. Wrapping up my FNP program right now has been HARD and awesome. And Hard. I was able to do it with minimal debt, and get a GREAT education. So I am grateful.

My clinical hours right now are in a family practice and in surgery. The clinic is awesome and I have been welcomed with some open arms. The surgical groups are willing to let me learn and grow, discuss and challenge. I have been able to gain skills and insight I wouldn’t have otherwise had. Big thankfulness.

My brothers all living near me. I am grateful that a ‘family reunion’ for me right now is as simple as a Sunday dinner. No need to have a huge plan of getting everyone together. We are close, and I love it.

2/14/18

Love in my life. I have a wife who, despite me, loves me. I think that is one of the truest tests of love. Do they love you despite who you are? I mean, I am a VERY long way from perfect, and she still loves me.
My Uncle. I am not sure if everyone has that ‘rich uncle’ that all those jokes are about, but I do. He has a full team of kids, so I’m not waiting for him to die and receive some strange inheritance. However, he is one of the coolest guys I know, and his family is one of the most loving I have ever seen. He invites all the local family over on the first Sunday of each month and feeds us. So, I guess I am grateful for the food too, but mostly for the family. But food too, does that count as two?
This laptop. It’s not great, but man, it is nice to have and makes my life a little easier. I can only imagine not having it. I can imagine because when it isn’t working right I kinda freak out.

1/25/18

Deep breathing that doesn’t hurt.
Parents who help with babysitting while my wife and I have to work.
My skill in public speaking, and lack of fear there too.

12/26/17

Living family. With a near loss, I’m grateful that I have two living brothers.
Dead family. With a loss almost 14 years ago, I am grateful for the time I had with my brother.
Cold mornings. The crispness on my lungs and the snap in my nose. The freshness of the air, and the stillness of the world around me.

12/16/17

Christmas time. Even with divorced parents (and all the baggage it brings), crazy shoppers, spending too much and kids crying about it all, I love it now. I didn’t before, but thanks to my wife and kids, it’s found some magic.
Snow. I live in Utah, and we have had a terrible start to our winter. It snowed today, it was beautiful.
Tea. A simple cup of tea is amazing. Tea does not judge itself, people judge the tea. And for me, I haven’t had a cup of bad tea when I’m the company of good people.

11/15/17

Dental health, there isn’t much out there that I think is as bad as tooth pain.
My dogs, I don’t spend the time with them they need, but when I do, I like it.
My fraternity. I am a Freemason and it has help me form some of the greatest friendships I have.

11/6/17

A big brother who is a best friend.
A woman who is closer to me than I may be comfortable with (because of personal insecurities) and she wants to get closer – my wife is incredible. (I know used that one already, but hey… She’s the best)
A car that not only runs, but starts when I turn the key, every time.

11/2/17:

Grateful for hard times that have helped me realize that we are all fighting a battle. So, if you treat everyone like they are struggling, you’ll be right more times than you’d be wrong.
Grateful for education. I have had a lot of schooling in my life, and I am grateful I have had the chance to learn. Makes me realize that the more I learn, the more I realize the less I know.
Grateful for the chance I have to make more things right in my life. I don’t know how much time I have left on this blue globe, and I have a lot to ‘make right.’ I’m grateful that I have some time to get to work on it.

11/1/17:

Grateful I don’t get fined for not sticking to this goal 😉
Grateful for my wife, her support and love. No one in this world is as good as she is, no one is as forgiving.
Grateful for my kids, they are healthy, happy and full of life. I look forward to taking them into the mountains more.

10/14/17:
Money to spend (not a lot, but more than nothing, I’m far from rich, but I am better off than most).
Fall weather (the cool is my favorite, and the colors are amazing)
Healthy/growing kids (by girl  -13- and my boy -2- are healthy, happy growing individuals; I’m very grateful for that)

10/10/17:
School (I’m nearly done with my FNP, but I am grateful to be going to school)
Good clothes (I have a great wardrobe full of good clothes)
New glasses (My Rx didn’t change all that much, but new glasses are nice, but expensive)

1/3/19:
Grateful for my job, doing what I want to do, where I want to do it, and with people I want to do it with. It’s a great gig, with great people
Skiing. I have been out a few times this year, and it’s a blast. I am grateful I live in a state where I drive 20 min and I am in my skis.
Family support. I stress my wife and my mom out when I go into the backcountry skiing or climbing. But they support me anyway, cuz they know I love it and it’s part of who I am.

1/4/19:
New Year’s. This is by far my favorite time of year. A time when we get to make resolutions, we are all still on the Christmas joy kick, and the weather encourages me to get out and adventure as well as stay in and cuddle. So, I am grateful I live in a life where I can see the wonder and excitement of New Year’s because I see the wonder and excitement in people around me.
Date nights. I don’t get to often enough, but I like taking my wife out. It reminds me that I like ‘getting out’ and away.
Peanut and peanut butter M&M’s. Because, well… duh.

1/12/19:
Police. I know they get a hard rap, and not everyone is grateful for them, but I am. Today Provo PD buried an outstanding officer. He was shot by a villain and left behind a wife and little boy. I know being a cop isn’t all cops and robbers, and they don’t blast out “Bad Boys” (at least not all the time). Some days have to be punch-in-punch-out type days, but I am grateful they are willing to do it, and put their lives on the line to secure a little more safety in my life. So, thanks to all the cops.
Having a 3 year old who reminds me what’s important. Because sometime I lose sight, and there isn’t anything like talking to a 3 year old that reminds you about the real priorities in life.
Family, particularly brothers. I helped one move today. Although my back feels it, and my legs are tired from skiing them helping him move, I’m grateful we are close enough that it was a no-brainer that he called his little brothers for help. We’re tight like that.