As we wrapup this year I want to share a few things I’m grateful for—which frankly are evergreen topics for me. This list isn’t even close to exhaustive, but it’s fun to share.
I’ll be off from writing—unless something strikes my fancy—until January 2, so this will be a slight pause on things. Hoping you all have a fantastic time going into the holidays that are, and that will be.
So, let’s get to it.
1. Writing
I’m thankful for writing, and for the fantastic readers who have followed along, reached out, and helped inspire me with feedback loops. Thank you. Writing helps me to think, and it’s partially why you’ll see a lot of topics bouncing around on here. It’s also partially why I’ve not had a desire to niche down yet into a specific topic.
Whether writing fiction or blog posts, I love the act of sitting down and putting thoughts to page. Because of my style of writing I don’t really plan things out ahead of time, but rather love to dive into a topic that’s either been on my mind for a while, or comes to me as the words leave my fingertips.
Writing over the years has helped me find my voice, and helped me feel more comfortable with my words. This is something I hope to continually improve for the rest of my life.
2. Reading
I learned to read at a later age. I was homeschooled and my mom wanted to hold off teaching me until I was eight. Up till that point she’d read stories to us most nights, and I learned to love hearing stories. As soon as I could read I jumped in with a healthy appetite. I poured through every book I could find, eager to learn the secrets inside.
Not long after I found a book with all of Mark Twain’s published writings. I poured through it, often holding a flashlight up under my blankets to keep reading at night.
I’ve had a lifelong love of reading, but more importantly, of absorbing stories; whether in audio format or in written form.
I’m thankful to my mom for that, for encouraging that love.
Now, years later, I do much of my long form “reading” on audio, switching between fiction and non-fiction every few months to keep things exciting. Because of this I carry AirPods on me at all times.
One thing that has stood out to me for a while, and I share wherever I can, is that reading doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s not homework, it’s fun.
If I’m not feeling a book I’ll pause it and put it down, and switch to another. While I tend to be frugal in general, this is one area where I don’t mind buying books quite often. I’ll give just about any topic a try.
Now, I say I can put the book down at anytime, but that’s almost a trick; I do actually read through to the end often. I finish a lot of the books I start, but I’ll always start more than I’ll finish; and that’s ok.
Some people feel the need to be completionist. I don’t believe that’s wrong at all, it works for some and if it’s working keep at it. But I’ve run across a lot of people who say they need to finish a book that they start, and the end result is they just stopped reading.
That is a tragedy.
For one close friend I encouraged them to just start any books and stop the moment they were bored. For them it worked beautifully. Coming out fo college they felt burned out from so much mandatory reading. To turn back to reading purely for the love of it reawakened the joy of reading for its own sake.
3. Running
I love running. I’ve been hooked ever since my (now) father-in-law suggested we go on a 2 mile run back in 2007. Prior to that I’d tried it, but because of some childhood illnesses felt I was unsuited to the activity. While I don’t know that I could ever be a sprinter, going out on long slow jogs has become one of my favorite activities in life.
My last marathon was a decade ago, but that doesn’t stop me from lacing up several times a week and going on 30-60 minute runs.
Because much of my career has involved sitting in a chair I’m thankful for the short bursts where I can get out and just disappear onto a trail or road and enjoy the opening up of my world, the expanse of seeing beauty around me, and of course more time listening to books.
Hopefully my body holds up and I can continue this until I’m in my 80s. For my last marathon I crossed the finish line with a woman in her 80s. She was starting to slow down, only doing a marathon a year. That inspires me.
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I thought this list would go elsewhere. I could say so much of the people I love and care for, of my friends and family, of my community. I’m thankful for so many and I hope all have a wonderful end of year.