Giving thanks(giving).

Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite days of the year (top 5, no doubt).

Every time I can be with family, eat food, and watch football means that it is a good time.

 

As we went around the table and talked about what we are thankful for, I (unsurprisingly) got emotional.

I always am so thankful for what I have in my life, but none greater than this year.

I feel like for the first time in a long time I am experiencing life.

It’s a fairly new concept and I’m learning how to experience more and more each day.

For a long time, I’ve felt that I’ve been living life… but not experiencing life.

There have been many disconnects in my mind to my life, whether that be because of anxiety, depression, loneliness, resentment towards people, etc.

Many states of mind have kept me from experiencing life how I know I should be.

 

Most of that comes with where my mind is aimed.

My mind has been constantly turned inwardly, trying to figure out what’s going on in there.

There’s a lot going on and much of it is complicated.

As I continue to turn my mind inwardly, I’m not remaining present and focused on what’s actually going on around me.

It’s okay to reflect and/or plan, but I have been doing it so much that I haven’t been able to experience the moment.

 

Recently, I’ve been trying my best to keep my mind turned outward when it’s time to experience each moment as it happens.

That has been so, so helpful…

More helpful than anything.

I finally feel connected to those around me and I feel the moments happen in the present.

It’s a great feeling.

It’s a great feeling to be in the present and feel things and realize what’s happening.

Many times in the past, I don’t realize something is happening until after it’s over and I look back.

Or, I am so focused on planning for something, once it happens, it flies by.

 

Life is meant to be experienced.

I now feel like I’m truly experiencing life.

Not every experience is pleasant, but every experience I am thankful for.

No matter the feelings or the learning, experience is good.

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I am thankful for so much:

• My family.
• My friends.
• Counseling.
• My fraternity.
• My education.
• Golf.
• My car.
• My home.
• Food.
• Sports.
• My dogs.
• My blog.
• Emotions.
• Intelligence.
• Reflection.
• Learning.
• Experiences.

 

I could go on and on, but right now, all of these people and things are adding to my experiences of life.

 

I will always be so thankful for my life and I can’t wait for the experiences that are coming next.

Let’s continue to keep the mind outward and enjoy experiences as they happen, while also remembering to turn the mind inwardly when it’s time to reflect.

 

It’s all good.
NS