Reading magazines used to be un-enjoyable to me. If I "read" a magazine it would be for the ads, pictures, catchy headlines and I would even make a point to read from the back to the front. I guess this was just another minor form of rebellion, even though I have no idea who I was rebelling against. I began working for a magazine when I moved to Gulf Shores and fell in love with the stories. Soon I began to dream of seeing my stories in magazines. Now, I read and even subscribe to some magazines, but you better believe they are full of subjects I want to learn about, not gossip and famous trash.
I have been assigned the duty at work to read through our industry magazines and learn more about the Incentive Travel industry. There is something to be said about the person who makes a point to stop and read the half page article written by the magazine editor. I am not really sure what there is to be said about that person, but most people move right past it to the headliners. Maybe it says they are observant. Anyway, I am one of those people. As I am trying to educate myself on incentive travel and the up and downs of the economy, the editor of One+ Magazine reminded me of what we really need to be focusing on right now - Thanksgiving.
Every year I try to think of what I have been complaining about all year and turn it into a positive. Now let us be real here for a minute, most of my complaints are just me being a spoiled brat so most of them are not really all that negative to begin with. After reading One+ this morning I realized I had not yet processed my thankfulness. So, lucky you, here we go:
I am thankful for…
1. Cramming a three bedroom home into my high school bedroom – it means I have parents supporting me, and I did not have to move from couch to couch when I lost my job.
2. For Avery screaming at a pitch that can break glass when I leave the room – it means she knows me, loves me and misses me.
3. Never having enough time in my day to get everything accomplished – this means I have a purpose in my life and I am proactive in making things happen.
4. Having someone I really love not speaking to me – it means he still has emotion towards me.
5. Waking up at 5:15 am – it means I have a job, a meaningful life and I am definitely not bored.
6. Alabama having a good season this year (I am an Auburn grad and fan) – because it has given my weakening grandmother something to look forward to and gloat about.
Some of these are hard to remember each and every day, but at least I am trying. I may still sound cynical on a daily basis, but sometimes you just have to understand it is more sarcasm than cynicism. Overall, I really do not have anything to complain about, but alas, I still do. So, maybe this New Year's Resolution will be to cut it all out. Now that may be hard seeing as how most of my humor comes from complaining, but we will see how it all plays out. I am sure I will have a few complaints left to express.
