The Distraction of Gratitude

I think we can all agree that the world feels weird right now. How can it not? Once society pulled through the COVID-19 pandemic, the collective sighed a big sigh of relief, and everyone rushed back to reality. But the reality we once knew was not the reality we ran to when the masks came off and everyone returned to the office. Our society is different after being uprooted in 2020. And it is going to take decades - maybe even centuries - to completely understand how the pandemic altered reality.

Not all the alterations have been bad: I personally appreciate that people make it a practice to wash their hands. I also appreciate that homemaking is making a comeback. My embroidery starter kit is being shipped and handled as I type - and I'm more excited than I should be about it at my age. But, violence, hatred, discrimination, hate speech, war, famine, crime, and countless other disparities did not dissipate once we all put on our masks, sanitized our hands, and sang Kamba Ya over Zoom.

One of my greatest Cancer Epiphanies™ is the acceptance that tragedy leads to change - and change recalculates normalcy. What is normal for me now - doctor visits, needles, scans, fatigue - was once foreign to the "indestructible" 20-something-year-old I once was. Similarly, the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic has recalculated society. And nearly six years and several more unprecedented events later, we're all left a little dazed and confused.

It feels like I am standing in front of one of those old storefront windows with all the TVs flashing different news channels most days, like a scene in a movie. The oh so many historical events and TikTok trends and political commentary and stupid AI cat videos and recipes featuring cottage cheese are draining my attention. I go to bed at night feeling like I lived an entire lifetime in a day because of the breaking news I read or the fictional world I crossed into via Netflix. I find myself spending more time talking about current events with the people I love instead of asking about their lives. I feel off.

In odd, uncomfortable, and/or confusing times, I look for truth, consistency, and direction. And the best place to find those gifts is in the Word of God.

Disclaimer: I know some of my readers don't jive with the Jesus, and while my first priority in life is to point people to Jesus, Biblical truths can help anyone - believer or non-believer - break through the noise and get busy livin'.

Here are two of those truths:

1. There is nothing new under the sun.

As the unconfirmed yet wisdom-filled author of Ecclesiastes wrote (1:9):

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

There is nothing now or in the future that has not, in some shape or form, happened in the past. Humankind has seen governments dismantled, cities burned, disease run rampant, inventions alter daily life, and discoveries shake society to its core. While shock and uncertainty can always be found, the opportunity to adapt and overcome has proven to be omnipresent. Take comfort in that.

And in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, you'll read:

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

2. Gratitude is grounding, and when we focus on what has been done and what is, we can shift our focus from what could be or what we cannot control.

   
   

What I have failed to tell you is that today is my 28th birthday - and for my birthday, I want to celebrate with gratitude. My hope is to distract you with big ole' laser beams of gratefulness and help you escape whatever is bogging you down.

So, in no order of importance or weight, here are 28 things I am grateful for on my 28th birthday:

1. Opportunity. When people ask me what I am most proud of, "opportunity" is always my response. On my record of all-time prayer hits sitting somewhere on God's vinyl shelf in heaven, you'll see, "Lord, please grant me the opportunity to..." as the number 1 song. I don't take for granted the opportunities I have because each and every one of them is the result of me and God paving a path forward for my life.

2. Community. Because we weren't meant to do life alone.

3. My husband. See above.

4. A job I really, really like. Shout out to corn.

5. My rusty, busted CR-V that gets me where I need to be.

6. Thrift stores. I'm going to a few today, in fact. Your trash is my treasure.

7. Free time. I LOVE to lolly-gag.

8. A college education.

9. Sheet cake. You can't have a party without it.

10. A really good deal. My mom and I always call each other when we snag a good deal while out shopping. It's a high you have to experience to understand.

11. My relationship with God. See John 10:10.

12. Surviving cancer. Duh.

13. Financial stability.

14. Living in the U-S-of-A. And dang proud of it.

15. My family and friends, who are really just family. See #2.

16. My dog.

17. My best friend's dog.

18. My neighbor's dog.

19. YOUR dog.

20. Accessible healthcare.

21. Early morning walks.

22. Colorful neighborhoods.

23. The beach.

24. Being entrusted with the 118 Foundation. It is an honor of a lifetime.

25. My natural unshakable optimism.

26. Mental and physical resilience that I can only credit to God.

27. Wise mentorship.

28. Sausage balls. See #9.

I don't know if this list helped you, but it sure helped me today. As I step into the next year of my life in this weird, weird world, the only distraction I hope to have is gratitude.