Gratitude notes for May 2019

On my morning run, I bumped into someone I know who was on her way to teach a pilates class. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, and we crossed paths at a totally random intersection in the city which wasn’t on my normal route. I enjoyed running into her, no matter how brief.

I visited our new office for the first time, greeted by a bunch of people who can be so warm and welcoming. It was nice to simply decide to visit and then to actually do it, last-minute. It also happened to be a really nice office, too!

I bumped into a buddy at the gym this morning. I was laughing at his latest stories almost more than I was lifting. He’s got a lot going well for him in his life right now. I’m really happy for him, and I’m happy I got to know him by total coincidence a few months back.

Somebody at work reached out to me at a time that I really needed it. I didn’t realize I’d needed it until the opporunity came up, and I’m really thankful they took the initative to do that. It meant a lot to me.

The team went bowling tonight. I was yelling like I usually do at drinking events. I’m really grateful for several of the conversations and the general comradery of the group. It really shone tonight.

During summers growing up, it’d be really hot outside and the air was thick with smells from the woods. I’d come inside and have a strong memory of what it’s like in the house with the windows open and the warm breeze feeling good. I felt that today for a moment. It brought me back to young summers.

I’m very lucky for the family I have. I really enjoy talking with my parents at this stage of my life. I feel like I have a lot more in common with them now and I have fulfilling relationships with each of them. I couldn’t have even imagined that our relationships would be like this ten or fifteen years ago. I’m very, very fortunate.

I did my regular long Sunday jog today. I couldn’t do that jog even 3–5 months ago. My legs would fail and I’d have to take an Uber home. Now I’m fine. I’m healthy. I’m so thankful that I still have my physicality and and I’m able to continue taking advantage of this condition. One day, soon, it’ll be gone.

I really enjoyed breakfast this morning. I had a really good conversation with somebody I hadn’t seen in a while. I’m lucky I get to have conversations with people like that in my regular life.

I’m cutting down on clutter! I just tore down a computer I’ve had for nearly a decade and haven’t used much recently. Feels good to consolidate the things I have down to the things I get value from.

I’m very grateful for my health. I’m thankful I’m not coming down with illnesses and that I’m still able to use my body to its fullest potential. Eventually, it’ll hurt just to chew and turn my head, and it’ll be too much effort to even stand up properly. Until that happens, I’m thankful that I have all that today.

There aren’t many pedestrians on my morning jog route, usually. Today, a girl on a regular, non-motorized scooter was riding just ahead of me to work. So I chased her and kept up with her. And she was moving. It felt great. It’s been long enough since I’d run at the beach or around other people that I’d sort of forgotten the kick I get from feeling like part of the “herd” on my jogs.

I had a very productive pair-programming session at work today that left me feeling really good. It was clear to both of us what needed to be done, and we just went and did it. It was fun. I’d totally do it again.

I’m grateful for the amount of control I have over my own time. I got a lot done today, both at home and at work, and I attribute that to my freedom to choose how my time is best spent. Sure, there are ways I can achieve more freedom, but I could also find myself in a war zone against my will or seized by terrors or tragedies that would steal my time and attention away from me. I’m very lucky for the freedom I have.

I passed a teenager in a neighborhood I drove through today. He was hunched next to a car that was covered in post-it notes that spelled out “Prom?”. He looked like he was waiting for his date to come and discover it. It’s so sweet that people go through the trouble to surprise each other in (hopefully) exciting ways.

We all dressed as one of my co-workers today. It was an easy buy-in and people generally seemed to enjoy it. I’m lucky I work somewhere that a culture like this can exist.

I’m thankful for all the little interactions I have with others throughout my day that I’m at risk of taking for granted. It’s that bit of connectedness with people who fill various roles in my life who, together, make it feel whole.