Mission Gratitude

I have to admit, I've been putting off ending this blog. The one year mark passed days ago, but this blog has become a part of me over the last 365 days. Now, there are 365 entries here, each saying thank you for something or someone that has impacted my life in the past year. This project has been a powerful constant during the most eventful and life changing year for me so far. I cannot even begin to reflect on everything that has happened since March 1, 2010 that will forever make me a stronger, more passionate person.

Since I have redirected my thoughts to be gratitude-driven, I have not had a single day where pain, anger, or sadness has taken precedence over wholeness, love, and joy. Things this year have by no means been easy and there have been more tears and hurt than any other time in my life. But the blessings outnumber these sorrows tenfold and I go to bed each night with thanksgiving on my heart. Even in the hard times, I am grateful for the lessons I have learned and for the way I have grown from them. I will never be the same, and for that the words "thank you" will never be enough.

In gratitude.

Duplicates

I just realized that I have celebrated with gratitude "rest" twice in the past year with this blog. This realization is an invitation to myself to find more times of rest, especially these days when my hours are full. I am remembering that repeated thank yous are just as important as finding new things to be thankful for.

Those Who Make Sacrifices for Me

I do not like others to do things for me. I rarely ask for help and would rather be doing for others than having others do for me. But, in recent days, I have found myself overbooked and unable to get everything done without the help of others rearranging their schedules to incorporate mine into their lives. I cannot believe how blessed I am for what these people are doing. The sacrifices may seems small to them, but they are immensely helpful and are making big differences.

Thank you.

Completion

It's hard to believe, but so many things are coming to an end.

I'm grateful for what they've meant to my life. And, I'm grateful for what I will continue to learn from these experiences as I reflect on them in the future.

Thank you.

Andrea Gibson

For her words, for her message, for working with me so graciously, for so many things.

Just listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=untGVUfVGdo

Thank you for all your beauty, Andrea.

Growth

I have seen myself growing in the past year at a phenomenal rate. I am excited to see where the next year will be taking me and what lies ahead.

Thanks.

Passion

I have known my deepest passion since I was 2-years-old begging my mom to sign me up for dance classes. I haven't stopped dancing since, but I have discovered many additional passions along the way. My life is guided and fulfilled by them.

Tonight, hearing our new Dorian girls talk about their deepest passions, I was filled with pride. I am already so impressed by these women and I'm looking forward to how their passions will guide them in their life in the sorority. I am proud to call them ours.

Thank you.

Criticism

I admit, that though I may take it gracefully on the outside, inside my head I am less than thrilled to be criticized. Yet, I know that there is a reason for it, and it will push me to work harder and be better. It will force me to explore and to go to places and limits I had not yet attempted.

I am grateful for all the advice and criticism you can throw my way.

Safe Space

Unrestricted conversation in an open and safe environment is a blessing that so few get to experience. Even on this campus (perhaps, especially on this campus) it is rare. I am blessed to be able to be in an environment that is so accepting of all variations of love and all people.

You are beautiful, incredible, perfectly made, passionate people and I am blessed to know you.

All Those Birthday Wishes

Nothing can make you feel loved and appreciated like having a facebook account on your birthday. I am genuinely grateful for each and every wall post, text message, e-mail, phone call, and greeting I received today. All of you are cherished parts of my life.

Thank you for being on this crazy journey with me.

Working Ahead

I almost never get a chance to work ahead on things. It's nice to know I can relax a little during this special and eventful week.

Thanks, ice storm, for giving me a needed day off.

Smooth Meetings

Short, sweet, to the point. That's how all meeting should be.

Thanks.

Spring Cleaning

It feels nice to have a clean living space.

Thanks.

NME

New Member Education is a difficult, but essential part of sorority life. Each year during NME my love of the sorority is reignited. As we get to know our new girls and teach them all the important things that Dorian stands for, it's impossible not to think about all of the joy it has brought to my life over the last 4 years. It has forced me to grow into the person I am today and I would not be nearly as strong without it. When I think back to what I was like during my freshman year, I can see significant growth in myself. So much of that growth is because of my sorority and I can't wait for our 22 new girls to have these same experiences over their next few years at Hope.

Thanks.

When George Comes Home

He may be dumb and run away, but that crazy cat always comes home and I'm always grateful when he does.

Thanks, George.

Girls Inc.

This internship has opened my eyes and heart to passions I didn't know I had. Their motto of "Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold" has become ingrained in who I am and what I want to do with my future. I have learned so much and am continuing to learn new things each day.

Thank you.

Detours

Things don't always go as planned, but you will always reach the necessary destination, and for that I am extremely thankful.

Full Body Massage

Thanks for the wonderful gift, mom.

=)

Reassurance

It's hard to know for sure as a student if you're making the right choices for your future. But this weekend I was reassured that everything I am reaching for is exactly what I'm meant to be reaching for. I am skilled, I am ready, I am blessed with a gift.

Thanks.

Silliness

It's nice to just let loose and have some fun, especially after a stressful week.

Smooth Drives Home

No flat tires, no alternators going out, no minor wrecks, no snow drifted roads, no gas leaks on the highway.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

Anticipating a Break

I love the countdown to a break. Heavy loads feel lighter when you know you'll be resting the next day.

Thanks.

Fans

It's encouraging to look up in the crowd and see faces of people you know are there just for you and to hear them yelling your name.

Thanks, fans.

Things Working Out

Things have to work out. There is no other option. They may fall apart first, but they will work out in the end. Always.

Thanks.

Falling Behind

Falling behind on certain work is just a reminder that maybe there are other things that are more important at that time. Do the things that matter first, the things that help others and reach beyond yourself, everything else will get done when it can.

Thanks for the reminder.

The Superbowl

Though I've never really been a football fan, I do enjoy how the Superbowl brings our entire country together on that one Sunday night each year. I'm fascinated by all of the lights and glamour that goes into this sporting event and the way it makes every apathetic fan into a die hard one. And the commercials are pretty fun too.

Thanks.

Rest

For both your physical and mental health, rest is important. It is a rare and treasured thing these days.

Thanks.

Work Ethic

I am always glad to do work. Even if the work is tedious or boring, I enjoy staying busy and getting things done. I am grateful for this work ethic as I am about to graduate college and will be faced with finding a real job soon.

Thanks.

House Bonding

Nothing like hours of shoveling snow to bring you closer together.

Thanks.

Multi-tasking

I've been in such a state of go go go for the past few weeks, that I've forgotten how to do less than 2 things at a time. Even on my "down time," if I dare call it that, I've learned to balance several things at once. I like to think it makes me more efficient. But even if it doesn't, I'm grateful for all the things on my plate right now that keep me constantly juggling.

Thanks.

Today's March

Today a large group of students of all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientations gathered together on campus to show our support for each other. Chanting "we are one," we made it known that we will not stand for discrimination against our peers, friends, and classmates. We are all one people in God's eyes, and we demand to be treated as such in the eyes of our administration, with policies in place that support this ideal.

Thank you.

We are one and we are ready.

Being Thanked

I try to spend as much time as possible in thanksgiving for the people and things around me that fill my life with blessings. It is nice to be thanked in return, especially for this.

Thank you. You have no idea how much it means to me to finally hear those words.

Saying What You've Needed to Say

It's a relief to finally ask the questions I've had for these couple of years and to get things off my chest. This is the end of a very long healing process. The wounds are closing for good now.

Thank you so much.

80's Workouts

Was there a time in fashion and fitness more ridiculous than the 80's?

Thanks for all the good laughs.

Meaningful Discussions

I am so grateful to have friends in my life with whom I can discuss real, deep, and important topics, even if we don't always agree.

Thanks.

Catalysts

Yesterday Hope College finally reached its tipping point. Several hate crimes and acts of discrimination have been happening on campus, especially in the last year and a half, and they have been brushed under the rug... until now. This newest act of hatred affects more students and has been made more public than those before and now people are talking. Talking is good, educating is good, but it's time for us to do something. This anger and frustration, and even the fear need to be channeled toward positive and lasting change on this campus. While I don't approve of what happened in any way, I am grateful for the conversations it has started. This is the catalyst we've been needing, let's use it to create a home at Hope that is safe and accepting of ALL people.

Thank you so much.

Public Mess Ups

If you can survive embarrassing yourself in front of a crowd of hundreds, you can do a lot of things. And, there's a big burst of confidence that comes with pulling off our performance even after a way less than perfect start.

Thanks. Good work, team.

Impromptu Dinner Dates

Surprise! Today just got way more awesome.

Thanks.

Regular Days

With weeks this busy, it's nice to have a not-quite-as-hectic regular day to start things off.

Thanks.

Rush

It's all starting... the incredibly involved, though enjoyable, experience of determining who will make up the new class of Kappa Beta Phi. I'm thankful for the break in the regular schedule of my weeks, the opportunity to meet new people that will soon be my sisters and will bless my life, and all the crazy fun activities that come along with the process.

Thanks.

My Supporters

I truly appreciate looking out into the audience while I'm performing and seeing a sea of friends cheering me on.

Thank you thank you thank you.

This Picture

This day was so good.

Hope College and the Dorian sorority has brought so much into my life through these women. In less than six months we will be reunited to send Kirsten off as a married woman. I am honored to be able to stand at the wedding with all of these women by my side.

Thank you.

Brothers

I don't have any brothers by birth, but I have been blessed with many men in my life who I can count on to protect me, stick up for me, or tease me.

Thanks.

StumbleUpon

This website has brought me to more useful, interesting, and funny articles, pictures, and videos than I ever expected. I am grateful to have stumbled upon it.

Thanks.

Short Homework Assignments

You're productive and it doesn't take all day.

Thanks, profs.

Coffee Dates

They're the perfect way to get to know someone better or to catch up with an old friend.

Thanks.

The Gathering

I'm always amazed by the number of students who come to worship together, by choice, each Sunday night. It is powerful that so many 18-22-year-olds find importance in spending their Sunday nights together in communion and praise.

Thanks.

People Who Shovel Their Sidewalks

You are the absolute best!

Thanks.

Greek Life

After our Greek Retreat tonight, it is clear that the general consensus is that Greek is good. Despite the oftentimes negative stereotypes that sororities and fraternities face, those in the organizations can agree that a lot of positive comes out of the Greek community. I know my college career would not have been the joy that it has been without KBPhi. In fact, I highly doubt I would have remained at this institution for four years if I didn't have the Dorian Sorority as a strong source of support.

Thanks.

Sore Muscles

I know I worked hard and my body is going to change and benefit from this process.

Thanks, muscles. It'll get easier... promise.

Leadership Opportunities

It's good to know that I am trusted, seen as competent, and pull some weight in the workplace. I am grateful for the chance to use my skills to guide others.

Thanks.

The Last First Day of School

Today I started my last first day of undergrad. Within a few months I will have a college degree. It can be overwhelming somedays, but I cannot express how grateful I am for this education. A very small percentage of people, especially women, worldwide, are granted with the educational opportunities I have had and will continue to have.

Thank you.

Choreography

I firmly believe that I was born with an innate desire to dance. While creating choreography can often be a tedious task for me, I am thankful for the chance to create and for the courage to put my work out for an audience, with all their varied opinions and critiques, to see.

Thanks.

Heating

Living in Michigan in the winter, right off of the lake, is cold. Today our heater broke and we sat in our house in winter coats. I am so thankful to say that it is up working again, thanks to a late night visit from the landlord with some tools and some skills. It is truly a rare blessing to live in a home that is heated while snow falls outside. We so often forget that there are many who do not have such a luxury. I pray that those without homes can find a heated place to sleep tonight and throughout the rest of the frigid winter months.

Thank you.

Deciding Factors

Decision making is hard for someone as indecisive as myself. It's a blessing when something comes up that is cut and dry and points you in the right direction.

Thanks.

Getting Organized

I'm one step closer to being ready to take on the semester.

Thanks.

Feeling Needed

I am grateful for the times when I know that I am needed, that I have something to offer. I am grateful to know that out of all of the people around, I was asked to help. It is such a good feeling to be able to give, to share, to assist.

Thanks.

Realizations

"Aha moments," when things suddenly start to make sense, are rare, but wonderful and should not be brushed aside.

Thanks.

Prayer Partners

At my home church we are partnered as children with adults in the church for whom we are to pray. I have been blessed with some wonderful women as my prayer partners and role models over the years. I continue to keep all of them in my thoughts and prayers even years later and I know that I will always have them praying for me and lifting me up when I need them. It's wonderful to know that I have a silent support system at all times.

Thanks so much.

"Wicked"

Such a powerful show with truly talented performers.

Thanks.

Performances

I am always grateful to be asked to share my talent. It is especially powerful to be able to share it with many people I care so deeply about and to use it to glorify God.

Thank you.

New Year's Day

Has anyone ever been disappointed with a chance for a fresh start?

I'm not. I am ever grateful for the new beginning of the new year.

Thanks for the good times, 2010. Let's make 2o11 the best year yet.

New Year's Eve

A time to reflect on the year that's ending, catch up with friends, and get ready to greet the new year as it comes.

Thanks.

Day Trips

Today we went to Lexington to spend some time with family. It was the perfect mini-vacation.

Thanks.