Sunday, November 17, 2013

Day 17 of the Think Thankfully 30 Day Gratitude Challenge

I have often seen the quote floating around Facebook and always when I Google images on being thankful, I'm thankful for all the difficult people in my life, because they have shown me exactly who I do not want to be. I was not 100% sure that I really liked that quote until today.

I was thinking about some of the difficult people I have crossed paths with in my 40 years of life. I have been fortunate to not really have crossed a lot of difficult people. As I sit here and try to write, it is very hard to come up with more than just three.

First, I am thankful for a certain elementary school teacher who made my life hell that school year. I always said, if and when I become a teacher, I did NOT want to be like her. I wrote papers in my education classes in college about her and how she taught me what NOT to do or be like in my own classroom. That year of school was miserable and I can still remember the classroom setup, her voice, and how unfairly she treated students. Not only did I have issues with her, but I truly credit her for my little brother's complete dislike of school because she was even worse to him. So, thank you Mrs. (Insert teacher name here) for helping me become an awesome teacher simply because I did not want to be like you!!!!

Second, I am thankful for a certain boy who entered my life, walked away from his responsibilities, and showed me just what I didn't want to be like in my child's life. My 17th year of life was a tough one. I can't totally blame (insert name here) because it takes two....but I learned that I NEVER wanted to be someone who walked away from their problems or responsibilities. I learned I never wanted to wash my hands of errors in judgement and just act as if they didn't happen or exist. So, thank you (insert name here) for helping me become an awesome mother, because I had to be mom and dad to an amazingly beautiful and talented and caring and intelligent girl who entered my life almost 23 years ago!!!!

And lastly, I am thankful for a certain person who showed me exactly what kind of friend I never wanted to be. From this person, I learned the importance of reaching out to those you call a friend, making compromises, and appreciating the friends you do have. I learned that friendship is NOT a one way street and if you call someone a friend, you have to show it and not just say it. Phone calls, text messages, invitations to go out, and just a little thinking of you message have to be sent as well as received. So, thank you (insert name here) for helping me to become an even better friend to those who appreciate my friendship. You helped open my eyes to what toxic friendships are all about and helped me to eliminate those exact friendships that brought me down! 

On this Day 17, I am thankful for those difficult people who were once a part of my life, because I have become exactly who I want to be by not following your example!!!!!

Think Thankfully!!!

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