thankful Archives - Listen to Lena

This is my very favourite time of year. On the cusp of a new beginning; a chance to pause and reflect on the past little while. The memories made; new friendships, old habits, the same old slippers and robe. But I rarely spend too much time thinking about the past – even a year as awesome as 2012 – because I’m always too excited for the road that lies ahead.

And here we are… Another Year… Another Chance.

Another chance to say I love you.
Another chance to forgive and move on.
Another chance to lose five pounds.
Another chance to learn to love yourself just the way you are.
Another chance to try something new.
Another chance to try for a baby.
Another chance to swallow your pride.
Another chance to phone a friend.
Another chance to tuck them in bed.
Another chance to let her go.

Another chance to believe.

Another chance to eat dessert first.
Another chance to give to the poor.
Another chance to smile at a stranger.
Another chance to mend a broken heart.
Another chance to set a goal.

Another chance to walk away from the situation.

Another chance to say what’s on your mind.
Another chance to do something that scares you.
Another chance to see a movie on opening night.
Another chance to ask for help.
Another chance to block his phone number.
Another chance to hold someone’s hand.
Another chance to window shop in a neighbourhood you can’t afford.

Another chance to wish upon a star.

Another chance to admit you were wrong.
Another chance to hug your parents.
Another chance to paint your fingernails electric blue.
Another chance to book that overdue vacation.
Another chance to live your life without regret.
Another chance to pay it forward.

Another chance to be the very best person you can be.

Happy New Year! What will you do in 2013?

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, I’ve started chatting with Ryder about the holiday and what it represents.

(Believe it or not, 4-year-olds grasp the concept of Thanksgiving very easily if we simply substitute “thankful” for “likes a lot”. Of course, coming from Ryder, one can expect cars, vacuums and gummy bears to be on that list.)

I decided that I too wanted to make a list of the things I am thankful for; but let’s be honest, you can likely guess the contents: my beautiful boys, my wonderful extended family, health, happiness… yes, it’s all terribly predictable.

And so I began thinking about the little things I’m thankful for. You know, the small stuff that in the end, somehow made a huge difference. Sometimes I laughed; often, I cried; but for the most part, I am thankful.

Inner Beauty.

I am thankful that I was never a conventionally pretty or popular girl. Being ignored for most of my high school life was likely the greatest gift ever. For when other 15-year-old girls simply had to toss their hair or flirtatiously giggle, I had to be funny, witty and interesting. Yes, I was the forgettable girl with the great personality – the one the boys didn’t want to be set up with. At the time, I spent countless nights wondering how I could make myself more popular, more trendy and definitely more pretty. But in the end, the fact that I had to depend on my wit and charm – not my looks – allowed me to develop my inner beauty. Later, when I finally blossomed, not only was I a looker – I was charismatic and likable, too.

A Charitable Cause.

I am thankful for my first boyfriend. He was a cute, popular boy and for some reason, decided to pluck me out of social obscurity. One day, huddled behind the high school portables, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I thought I’d combust with happiness! We ended up “dating” for 2 months – a lifetime when you’re 16 years old. To this day, I still don’t know if I was a “She’s All That”-esque charitable cause (certainly no on else could figure out the attraction – not even my friends!) but I’ll forever be thankful that he spent a small portion of his life making me feel so special. The confidence that ensued helped me keep my head held high when other boys rejected me (sadly, my social life did not pick up after that brief stint – see Inner Beauty)….

Another Year…. Another Chance.

I Am Thankful.