Soulful Sunday: Seven Things I'm Grateful For (Volume 5)
Today I am grateful for…
(1) …my health. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and the most I’ve had to deal with health wise are my seasonal allergies and anxiety. My daughter and I are home for the most part. Our only exceptions are grocery store trips and the occasional thrift store shopping spree.This won’t last forever so I’m just taking this opportunity to practice patience.
(2)…for my sisters. My older sister has been my voice of reason these last few months. Wait. Let’s be real. She’s always been my voice of reason. Usually I can handle business with no issues, but like I said above, I’ve been hella anxious because of what’s going on in the world. A lot of the times I know the decision that needs to be made. But sometimes it’s comforting to have a little validation from someone looking from the outside in because they tend to be more rational.
My younger sister speaks to my creative side. She’s like my personal hype man when it comes to things such my personal blog, my e-commerce store, etc. I often feel like I’m too boring to be sharing my life but she’s constantly reminding that not everyone gravitates to the glamorous influencers. Sometimes people want to hear about what’s going on with regular folks like myself. When it comes to Understated Clothing, she inspires me to just get started with what I have because you can only get better through experience.
(3)…my job. Even though I’m currently side eyeing my school district, I know they are doing the best that they can. We’ve never lived through something like COVID-19 so it’s hard for them to have a precise plan in place. And remember I work in education so the constant under funding as a whole, the overcrowding of classrooms and plethora of red tape doesn’t help the matter either.
(4)…my budgeting spreadsheet. I currently use Google Sheets because sometimes I need to access my spreadsheet while I’m out and about. I still remember the first time I created one. It was the summer of 2017. I was pregnant and in the middle of the divorce process. Since then I’ve committed to sitting down with my money every two weeks and having some honest conversations with myself. I’ve paid off more than $11,000 in medical debt, purchased my first home, a new car and so much more. This isn’t me bragging but instead me showing that short-term sacrifices can bring about long-term joys.
(5)…my daughter. Probably the best thing to happen for me personally during this pandemic is the shift in dynamics of my relationship with my daughter. Pre-Covid I was in a routine of work, mommy duties, sleep, work, mommy duties…you get the picture. Don’t get me wrong. Back then I did enjoy being a mother but it was more so like another responsibility to me.
When Florida went under Stay-at-Home orders I got the chance to see my toddler as a human being, a (tiny) person with her thoughts, likes and dislikes. I shifted from seeing her as “someone I have to take care of” to “someone I get to experience life with.” I’m so grateful to watch her grow these last few months.
Oh and the way in which she keeps adapting to the changes of life due the coronavirus is just amazing. My two-year old has never complained about having to wear masks in public. She went from seeing her other family members on a daily basis to now understanding that we have to FaceTime loved ones for the time being. She’s my constant reminder that happiness simply comes from accepting what is.
(6)…my new…friend??? We ain’t dating. There’s no flirting or sexual talk either. I asked God a few months ago for a guy to be in my life that I could just talk to or text when I need that attention from the opposite sex.
Just recently I got just that but of course in a way I wouldn’t have expected. But each day I’m learning more about how God, manifestation and the Law of Attraction works. You ask, then receive “it” and then let the rest of the details be figured out by Him. I’m to focus on the “what” and He is to focus on the “how.”
But more about the guy? It’s just platonic conversations about life, navigating our 30’s, parenting, and our careers in education. Hey. He may end up being bat shit crazy and on my blocked list lol! But for now I am grateful to have someone to talk to.
(7)…my new teaching position. If you didn’t know, this summer I transitioned from my four year stint at the middle school to teaching at a nearby high school. I was nervous about the change especially once the world turned upside down, but yet again God continues to show me that He is working everything out for my good.
At my new high school, we’re on block schedule which mean there are four class periods a day (one of which is my planning) so I only have to repeat myself three times a day instead of 6 times like I did at the middle school (no block schedule). I am also no longer teaching Geometry which I am over the moon about. Instead I teach my favorite, Algebra I, with one class of Liberal Arts I Math which is a slowed down version of Algebra I.
My new principal is very understanding and motivating which in this field means the world to a teacher. The school is less than 10 minutes away from my home which will save me time in terms of commuting when campuses reopen.
(In my Future voice) Life is good!