Blessings in 2011

I've felt like my first few posts have been more negative than positive. So, I thought I should post something positive. What could be more positive than listing my blessings from last year?

1) My divorce was finalized in February of 2011.

2) I completed my first year of college with mostly A's.

3) I received a job offer for the summer which helped replace the child support I wasn't receiving.

4) I received a full-ride scholarship to a private university here. The scholarship is good for 5 years and enables me to be a full-time student and NOT have to work.

5) I got a car after not having one for 6 months.

6) My little brother got married and I gained a really cool sister.

7) I began receiving child support again through child support recovery.

8) I completed my first semester at university with all A's and B's.

9) The kids and I moved into our own place.

10) I not only survived in 2011...I THRIVED!

These aren't necessarily in the order that they happened. But its amazing to look back and see what a great year I really had. Its so easy to focus on the negative (a lot of really crappy things happened last year too) but...I think I'll have a better frame of mind if I focus on the good stuff.

Just For Today

I read this in Dear Abby a couple of weeks ago. I think its from AA or something similar. But I found that it really applied to me so decided I'd share it here.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.

I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

Just for today, I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully -- if only for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take the responsibility for my own actions.

Each one of these just seem so simple. And yet, if I practice these every day...I think I'll be so much closer to being the person I want to be.