Thanksgiving Blog 2011

Last year, my thanksgiving blog was a giant list of all the things I felt thankful for. The listed "thankful items" were things, people, places, and ideas that pretty much defined who I was and what I cared about at that time. Reading through the 2010 blog, all of those things still ring true. But in the past year, a lot has changed. Life isn't quite as simple as it was. But the list of things I am thankful for has definitely grown...not only in size but in depth.

I'm thankful for...

Being a citizen of the United States of America. I know this sounds cliche, but every now and then I really just take a moment to pause and reflect on the fact that I am one lucky girl to be born and raised here in the USA. I've never wanted for anything in my entire life. I am spoiled positively rotten. I am extremely blessed to live in a country that is abundant in everything I would ever need, amazing opportunities to achieve greatness, and the freedom to live my life as I please. It's an incredible thing.

My education. Since last Thanksgiving, I earned my Bachelor's Degree. I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here (because I feel like I bring up school and my graduation a lot), but gosh darn it I can't help but praise every Saint in heaven for the fact that I am an educated individual. And adding to it, my education is exactly where I want it to be. I majored in two arts that have my heart and soul wrapped up in them. Even while I wait for job opportunities, it's such a comfort to know that my education is molded into the exact shape I wanted it to be when I started school.

My family. They have done a brave thing and lifted up a black sheep. They are all, and I mean ALL, scientifically and rationally minded people. There are really no other "artists" in my family. Sure, there are a few who can play an instrument or draw very well or sing beautifully, but none of them attempted to pursue the arts in the fashion that I have. But have they even blinked an eye at my decision to do so? No. They have always fully supported me in all of my endeavors. I know what a huge blessing that is. They are the legs I stand on. I love them.

My MSA 12 family. My three best friends in the whole world. The girls who became the sisters I never had. The girls who put up with my dramatics for 4 years. The girls who were never afraid to admit that they were human. The most wonderful people in the world. I love them. And I pray we will always have each other.

My theatre family. After four years of seeing each other at our best and our worst, we all came out alive. We made each other better. We inspired each other. We were a team. And as time went on, we became a family. I am a better artist because of them. I love them. May we grace stages together again someday. It was just too fun to never happen again.

Art. All of it. Everywhere. The whole kit'n'kaboodle. The beauty of art is that it never ends. May it endure and live on always. May traditions like opera and ballet never die. May the children of the current generation understand that auto-tuned actresses singing against a computerized drum beat does not qualify as music. And grinding is not dancing. But whether I love it or hate it, or whether you love it or hate it, may art in all forms live on.

Tomorrow's promise. This is a repeat from last year's list. But I still think about this one almost every day. Having a rough day? Feeling unsure? Can't shake the doubts? Guess what..this too shall pass. And tomorrow life can change. In fact, life can change right now, in this moment. My point is that the future holds so much potential for greatness. Don't dread it. Expand it. Make it yours. What have you got to lose? It's your life. Hello. Yay.

Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for a God who knows my needs far better than I ever could or ever will. He leads me to places I would never dare go. He directs me away from places I'm desperate to go. But at the end of the day, it's all in his crazy/amazing plan to make my life a life worth living. Sometimes I go kicking and screaming, but He drags me on, bless Him. Excellent example..He knows that my patience, stamina, and sanity needs some muscle. So He put me to work in a restaurant. Oh, the tricks up His sleeve never cease to amaze me... But seriously, I'm thankful for a God who knows me and loves me anyway. I'm thankful for His mercy. Without it, I'm nothing.

May we all remember to be thankful and count our blessings every day of the year. I pray that your Thanksgiving was filled with love, food, and humbleness.

((Oh and Charleston, Diet Mt Dew, Zebo, bagels and cream cheese, bug comic, Cake Boss, Extreme Couponing, Glee, Applebee's, and S.S.M. Whew. Glad I got that off my chest.))