Something that I think I take for granted sometimes is my health. Anytime you turn on the TV or listen to the news, there are always new studies sharing a link between cancer and anything else. I never realized it until recently how blessed I am that I come from a healthy family with no major health risks, and to be able to partake in the joys of life. It wasn't until my last year of college that I started becoming active and living a healthy lifestyle. It's pretty ironic. When I should've been guzzling beer and eating late night fast food I was making fresh dinners and running with my roommates.
Exercise is so important to me. If I don't get my exercise in, I go crazy. Trust me, just ask the husband. It is my "me" time, where I push myself, let the thoughts of the day unravel, and overcome stress. Exercise makes me happy and focused. It clears out all of the clutter inside my head. My runs are not only productive for me physically but mentally. They let me work through everything swirling around in my head.
Just the thought that I can run outside, be active, and breathe in all of the beautiful surroundings is amazing. I'm truly thankful!
Trying to blog for 30 days is a challenge. And even though this was my challenge, it keeps me motivated. It's not just blogging for 30 days, it's being thankful for 30 days. As my day goes on every action and activity makes me realize how truly blessed I am.
This post should've been the first since it is the most important. Today I am thankful for my Savior. I have been thinking and meditating a lot on this song:
We sang this song in church a couple of weeks ago. The simplicity and repetitiveness truly caught my attention. "You make beautiful things out of us." As I thinking about it I realize that I don't always remember that I am a beautiful thing. It is so easy to beat myself up for what I did wrong or neglected to do, for having a bad attitude to not reading my bible enough. Then I think back to this song. It shows God's mercy and grace. God created me and you! He made us beautiful in His sight. It is far too easy to think about everything I am doing wrong in this flesh of mine. In Christ, I am renewed and forgiven.
Each day is a blessing from Him. I am thankful because HE has taught me what it means to be thankful. God has saved me, loved me, inspired me, and moved me.
One of my favorite passages is in Romans where Paul shares about God's everlasting love: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, not angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 37-39
Isn't is so beautiful? The God who made the heavens and earth made you and I, and this marvelous and beautiful truth overfills my heart with joy!
Today I'm thankful for a pretty random thing...Pumpkins! I know, I'm a nerd, but I just can't get enough of them. One of my cooking goals was to make chili and serve it in pumpkin bowls. What can I say? I love pumpkins, and the creative side to cooking.
Well, I got one other friend on board with me and this dinner warmed our tummies on Halloween night!
Black Bean and Butternut Squash Chili in Pumpkin Bowls
I'm thankful for pumpkins which inspired my cooking creation. But, I'm also thankful for my love of cooking. It wasn't until I moved away to college that I fell in love with cooking and eating right. I think that is the opposite of what is supposed to happen!?! I love my love to cook, try new recipes, and not settle for my usual recipes. It keeps things alive! When I think of cooking I'm reminded of why I am ME. Everyone has their own interests. Through this whole blogging endeavor I have learned how unique and different we all are. There are those out there that are so very talented and share their wealth of knowledge. In the midst of staying true to myself and not wishing I was or am someone else, cooking reminds me of why I am ME and why I love ME!
