My Good Things List

I really am trying to dig myself out of this grayness I’m stuck in right now. A tweet from Deanna Daughtry a couple days ago (“Despite the challenges & struggles we ALL face, life is beautiful. We should spend a lot more time thinking & talking about the good things.”) got me thinking about what is good in my life. It was a struggle to come up with ten things but I think with my depression being so heavy right now, listing ten things is pretty good. Thank you, Deanna, for getting me thinking.

My Good Things

1.      I have my own apartment. My apartment may be messy but there are four walls and a roof. The messiness is a byproduct of my depression. Hopefully, with time and my meds, this will get better.

2.      I have a heart and soul. I care about other people and help them. I believe in tikkun olam (Jewish belief about healing the world) although I could do more with this. I try not to gossip or speak ill of others (even if they have hurt me) but again, this is an area I could improve on.

3.      I have Joey and Bootsie, my baby kitties (who are actually 13 and 15 years old). They give me unconditional love and know when I’m down and comfort me.

4.      I am a cancer survivor for seven years. Not everyone who is diagnosed makes it to the survivor stage but I have. My father’s battle with cancer only lasted six months. He was not a survivor.

5.      I have a job that I love. I enjoy teaching my students even though they often think they don’t need my class. There are days, as with anything, which test me and when they do, I just remember June, July and half of August. :)

6.      I am creative. I work well with words and have the ability to create stories, both short fiction and novel length. I have been published and hopefully one day, will be able to call myself a full-time writer.

7.      I am Jewish. I live in a country where there is freedom of religion and I was able to choose to be Jewish. I may not be the most observant Jew but my heart is Jewish.

8.      I have three friends who are consistent in friendship. They care about me and remind me that I am a person. I would be a sad(der) sack without Tracy, Lisa, and Betsy.

9.      I have good self-awareness. Although this often leads to panic attacks and increases in depression, I at least know what my faults are and when the depression allows, I can improve myself.

10.  I have Daughtry. Their music is a constant for me and Chris and Deanna’s presence on Twitter gives me something to look forward to. I don’t care if that sounds weird; It works for me. I also have a ticket and VIP for their July 18^th concert. I have something to look forward to.

Dana