I cannot
believe November has already come and gone!
I managed to fall off of the #thankfulnovember bandwagon on Twitter
after all of three days. I am incredibly
fortunate in my life and grateful for my many blessings. It is easy to get caught up in the daily
struggles of life, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and
to allow the negative to overshadow our many positives. Not good.
Kicking off Thanksgiving right with Turkey and Pie for my 1st place finish at our local Turkey Trot
Research has
shown that positive thinking has a whole slew of benefits on both our mental
and physical health. To name a few, positive thinking is said to
improve immunity, reduce stress, increase resiliency, lower rates of
depression, increase resistance to the common cold, lower the risk of death
associated with cardiovascular disease, reduce frailty in old age. Positive thinkers are even believed to have a
longer lifespan when compared to their Debbie-Downer counterparts.
I must admit
that I have a tendency to catastrophise situations and let negative feelings
snowball. After a harsh but much needed “snap
out of it” talk with my dad a few weeks ago, I realized that I need to actively
WORK on looking at the glass half full (and to be honest, it usually is). Experts recommend using positive self-talk to
improve mood and increase optimism.
However, if you’re already in a funk, it can be tough to flip on the “happy
thoughts” switch. The Mayo Clinic offers
a few tips on doing so, including: Identifying negative thoughts in order to
change them, check in with yourself throughout the day in order to get yourself
out of a rut, be open to humor, exercise, eat well, surround yourself with
positive people, and actually practice positive self-talk. For more tips, check out the article
here.
In my quest
to be a more positive and optimistic person, I’ve decided to complete my “November
Thankful Thirty” list, identifying just a few of the things in my life I am
most grateful for. So, here it is, in no
particular order, my 2013 30 Thankful list!
- My family and their complete support of me as I work towards my future in athletics and in music therapy. I am so fortunate to be from a family in which I wasn’t spoiled but never wanted for anything either. Not all kids get family support from dance and piano lessons as a kid to help in college, to support through graduate school!
- That I didn’t get into grad school for voice performance: it sucked at the time but boy has that one turned out for the best.
- My cousin Jacqueline and the deep friendship we have grown since we were babies and been given the opportunity to foster in this time I’ve been back in Wisconsin.
- All of my coaches, especially Jon “Mace” Mason at MP Multisport for the unending support and guidance he’s given me both personally and athletically and Coach Reu at FAST Masters for the mental toughness he instilled in me. Really, for ALL of the coaches I’ve had over the years (Danner, Muentner, Wendy, and Tess).
- My tri team at CSU and the tri community as a whole– they’re not only friends but an inspiration!
- My best friends at North Central College and the way we remain like family.
- ALL of the friends I have in my life – even those I may have fallen out of touch with mean so much to me.
- The SUNSHINE! I cannot express how much it puts a smile on my face when that big yellow globe is out.
- The changes I have made in my life to become healthier: I have never felt better!
- That I am lucky enough to have been blessed with good health in general. I have friends and loved ones struggling with cancer, addiction, illnesses, and a whole slew of problems. These people are stronger than I ever want to have to be and are such an inspiration.
- Triathlon – I have no proof of this but I’m convinced it saved me in more ways than one.
- That I happened to find and subsequently choose a not overly well known profession in music therapy.
- That I studied abroad in college – how cool is that?!
- Having had foreign exchange students in high school – it gave me two new sisters and broadened my horizons.
- My brother, Ryan, and sister in-law, Lib – they have been so supportive of me and never ask a thing in return. Also, I am beyond excited and thankful for their twins due this spring!
- My bicycles – love them all, especially my first road bike Belle.
- That I rediscovered a love of running –how sad to think it could still be out of my life.
- Coffee.
- For failure. It is always so hard to swallow at the time but every time I’ve fallen it’s done nothing but drive me towards better things. My mother says I’m “like a cat” – always landing on my feet no matter the situation.
- Being from a sailing family – what a joy to be out on the water. I suppose more in general, that I’m “outdoorsy” and am surrounded by people with similar interests – it would be such a bummer to sit around inside all the time.
- That I have not yet been in a serious bike or car crash (major knock on wood).
- My camp family and having been a camp counselor – those summers and experiences really helped to shape my life.
- That my life’s dreams are all starting to come together!
- Books and the fact that I’m a reader.
- Every time I’m called “mini” or “tiny” – it sure beats the crap out of being told I’m an inspiration because I still race well as a ‘bigger athlete’ (that really stunk, by the way).
- Yoga – it’s wonderful for the mind and body, thank goodness I can do it!
- My Tempurpedic bed – grateful every time I get in it.
- All of my sponsors through MP Multisport: Brooks, Discover Massage, Provelo, Training Peaks, and Sport About.
- For my faith and the strength and guidance it has provided me with.
- The opportunity of each new day!
What a wonderful life and family I have to give thanks for!
References:
#18. I miss you. Don't be silly Bai, I mean coffee, not you :). I hope I get to see you when I'm home. I miss thee.
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