Today was hard.

I was able to list of ten things I resent today, so very easily. So now, I'm going to list ten things I'm grateful for, to remind myself of how blessed I really am.

1. My roommates

I have wonderful, wonderful roommates, that love me to pieces. They accept me for who I am, what I look like in the mornings, and how I act after a long, terrible day at work. They love me, and keep loving me. I could not ask for a better support system at the end of the day.

2. The Bunker

I suppose not the physical building, but definitely the people there. I feel accepted and loved by at least SOMEONE every time I go there. I smile more, I laugh louder, I enjoy life a little bit better when I'm there. So very nice to have a healthy and strengthening stress relief at the end of the week.

3. My hair

Call me vain and I'll smack your face off. I love my hair, it makes me so happy. That's why I'm so terrified of the idea of having to give it up. I don't want to not be a redhead. I love the feeling of security I have when I hide behind my hair. It's comforting and soothing and safe. And there are not many things left in life for me right now that are safe.

4. My friends

Blanket item, I know. But I honestly have the greatest group of friends in the world. I wouldn't trade them for the world. The support and comfort they give, even without realizing it. I'm so easy to cheer up. 'We will love the crap out of you.' 'Well I don't hate you.' 'That would make you Jesus.' Simple little things that remind me I'm loved, not hated, and no one cares if I don't have my life together.

5. Food

Shay just bought juice boxes, apple sauce, and cucumbers. In addition to the Ritz crackers, 3% milk, and green Kool Aid hanging out in our kitchen, I'm thankful and grateful for the ability to eat. Some days it's hard, but it's getting better.

6. Jonny's Java

SUCH a small thing. But seriously. Any time, ANY time I go there, I leave slightly more cheered up than when I left. It doesn't matter if I get a beverage or not, I am cheered up by any one who works there. Because the guys are win, and the girls hang out with the win guys and are, therefore, win by association.

7. Kids that make me want to have kids

There were two in the store today. They were two of the cutest kids I've ever seen in my life. And they weren't bratty or obnoxious or loud or irritating. They were cute and funny and sweet and polite and cute. Oops, I said cute twice. They were ADORABLE. Nuff said. Also, I get to go see Makaya tonight, who's cuter than like, twenty buttons.

8. Attractive men that dress well

Sorry if you were wanting deep and meaningful. A man that dresses well makes me smile, and then if he's attractive on top of it? Just makes my day. And I'm not even talking like, stereotypical attractive, well dressed men either. There's something to be said about a guy who can rock a suit, yes. But interesting jewelry or quirky shoes or skinny jeans can be attractive on a guy too. A guy who knows what he wants to dress like, and dresses like it, is very, very appealing.

9. Rest

I am always thankful, at the end of the day, for rest. Not necessarily sleep, just the ability to stop doing things and just exist. I always take a few moments out of every day to just ... be.

10. A free country!

I am a woman. And in some countries in the world, that means I would have no rights. But in this country, not only can I vote, have a job, and choose my own husband, I have the freedom of speech. I can dye my hair WHATEVER colors I'd like. I can get piercings and tattoos if I feel like it. I can go to school, I can work in almost any job a man can work in if I want to, and I can be a strong, independent human being if I want to.

That took MUCH longer than my list of things I resent. I have to work on being more positive, this negativity is really not productive. So that's my prayer for today - that we as a people would learn to turn our hearts towards positivity, and build each other up, instead of being negative and hurting others. This IS the only 2011 we're ever going to get - why would we waste it being miserable? This make this the best year we can possibly make it, so we can look back on it and be proud of what we've accomplished.

Freedom for Egypt!

xme