In 2020 I’m answering a list of 52 journal questions. Read about it here.
What are you thankful for?
I know it is going to sound cliched, but I am incredibly thankful for my family and friends. No matter what life throws at you, when you have amazing people around you, you can get through anything.
I think this has been something on my mind recently because of the huge bushfires we’ve had in Australia recently. My home town of Canberra was blanketed in thick, choking smoke for weeks. We talked with the Barbarians about where to go if they were home alone and had to evacuate – not that our house was much at risk, but the city had been burnt before with hundreds of houses lost (and sadly many lives), so best to be prepared.
But the smoke made it seem very real and scary. Our youngest Barbarian was worried about our house and things. We had a big talk about how no matter how much we valued the “stuff”, it was only stuff and could be replaced. The only thing that mattered in our house were the people we loved.
What are you thankful for?
January 4, 2020 at 12:02 am
This must be such a scary time for your children! Who, from what I gathered, are old enough to understand the gravity of the situation but still young enough to feel the uncertainty of it all and think “we are next” even if you ad an adult know you are safe.
I don’t think it’s cliche at all! Friends and family as such a gift and blessing!
I am thankful for having a job that I LOVE! I know I will eventually need a better paying job if I ever want to be financially stable and live in a decent place, but for now my job is what keeps me happy!! I can’t wait for Tuesday morning to come so I can see my students again!
January 5, 2020 at 10:32 pm
Having a job you love is an amazing thing. The money isn’t as significant if you can be happy doing what you do.
January 5, 2020 at 11:20 pm
Yes absolutely! I felt the same way when I was a nanny – or at least when I started out as a nanny. But the uncertainty and having my job control my living situation put a lot of stress on me I think. Now I still have the stress of “will I have a job next year?” but at least I know that if I don’t, I can easily find work someplace else while not also having to try to find a new place to live lol
January 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm
I’m so sorry about the fires you’ve had to deal with. It’s nerve wracking even when your home isn’t in danger. Do you have an evacuation plan with your family? In our area, they’ve recommended that each family has one (earthquakes). Like, if things happen while everyone is out during the day, where would you meet up? Is there a designated “out of state contact”? (That’s a person not in the immediate area who the whole family calls to coordinate with. Like a grandparent who lives a ways away. Everyone calls that person to tell them they’re okay and where they’re at. Then they can pass on that info to the rest of the family as they call in.)
January 5, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Great advice, Liz. We do have that worked out with the Barbarians. They know where to go and that we will all find each other there. Hopefully it will never come to that!
January 6, 2020 at 2:08 am
I am thankful for so many things, and will write about them on my blog. And here’s one of them: Thank you AJ, for posting the 52 journal prompts!
Deb
January 6, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Hahaha, you’re welcome, Deb. I look forward to reading about them on your blog 🙂
January 9, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Yes, family and friends! And good health!
January 9, 2020 at 4:20 pm
The most important things, Jenny 🙂