Day 16: Zzzz

Today I am thankful for naptime. This may not be my most meaningful, or serious, or memorable thankful post, but If you aren't thankful for the little things, you'll miss the big things. 

After attempting, yet failing miserably, to pull an all nighter last night (I suck at being a college student, I can’t pull all nighters and function the next day to save my life), all I wanted to do today was go home and sleep. Which I did. I had the best nap ever.

Anyone who thinks they are too old for nap time clearly doesn't have a whole lot going on in their day.

Last year a presenter came to my sorority to talk to us about healthy college habits, and one of those habits was the idea of sleep debt. I swear, it’s a real theory, look it up. Anyway, it basically says that if you get less than 7 hours of sleep, you are in sleep debt. And you keep accumulating this ‘debt’ until you finally pass out and sleep for days in order to repay your 'debt' pretty much.

I absolutely think this is a real thing. Ask my parents, whenever I come home on breaks I have about a three day recovery period where all I do is sleep and I only leave my room for meals and to pee. This could all be avoided however, if we took on the siesta mentality. 

Whoever decided that naps after first grade were no longer socially acceptable, well, they suck. I vote we bring back naptime. A socially supported siesta every day would be phenomenal. We have enough debt in this world, we don't need sleep debt too. 

Thank god for naptime, best part of my day. 

Day 15: puppy love

Today I am thankful for Lucy. 

There is nothing in the world that cam make you feel more loved, needed, and appreciated than a dog. Every time I visit my parents, my adorable lab Lucy gets so excited to see me she races around in circles, cannot be still to save her life, and basically knocks me over to snuggle.

She quite often even pees herself from excitement.

No matter what kind of day you have, coming home to someone that is THAT EXCITED to see you, well it’s a pretty great feeling. There are few humans who react that way. And if they did, well, it would be weird.

But that kind of unconditional love is pretty amazing, and it can change your day. I think we can all learn from that. Loving unconditionally and showing those we love just how much we appreciate them, just like dogs do.

Don’t pee yourself of excitement please, but show your happiness. Show your love.

Let’s make a deal. Let’s be happy. Let’s forgive those who have hurt us. Let’s tell the people in our lives that we love them. And let’s show them that we love them by accepting them no matter what.

Just like dogs do.

Day 14: the golden rule

We have all heard this more times than we can ever remember.
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I would be a rich girl. And it's such common sense, it's basic human decency. It's the exact thing we teach our children, model for our youth, and expect from our adults. But I swear, there is still something so uplifting seeing it put into action. It brings tears to your eyes, and it just makes you believe a little more in the goodness of the world.
There is a video that was circulating around my Facebook news-feed. And as a procrastination tool, I clicked on it.
Trust me, it isn't one you want to miss.

http://www.viddler.com/embed/70d1d214/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=48017121&disablebranding=0

Today I am thankful for the standard that this coach held his team to; for the influence he has had on his players. We should all aspire to set such a high moral standard for ourselves.
It reminds me of a quote from OTH: "sometimes it's not about winning. Sometimes it's about healing."

I am thankful for the support of the fans.

I am so thankful for those instilled the golden rule in #22.

And I am thankful for him, for reminding us all of the ability to do good deeds.

Day 13: Thank god for elastic waistbands

Today I am thankful for sweatpants and ice cream. Today instead of being productive, at all, I instead went with Liz and Ty to get ice cream and watch the Bachelor. Yes, so cliché. BUT SO GOOD.

You know you’re jealous.

Two days ago I wrote about remembering that I am young and that I need to live my life. It’s so true. And I am trying to do more of that. So maybe I stayed up too late and watch a trashy tv show. Maybe I didn't do my homework. That isn't the point. The point is I am spending time with good friends and not worrying or stressing about school or the future or anything serious. I’m letting myself just be.

This past year I've done a lot of growing and learning, and I think (or I hope) that I've finally learned the art of letting go, at least somewhat. The art of simply being happy in the moment, regardless of what the future brings.

And I am so thankful for that this lesson condones eating DQ and watching the bachelor in sweatpants with good friends.

I repeat: SO GOOD.    

Day 12: change your words

I checked my email this morning, just like I do every other day. In my inbox was an email from my mom with the subject "smile :)" with a link to two youtube videos she thought I would enjoy.

I loved them both, but one especially got to me, to say the least. I'm not sure if it was in the way that was intended, but regardless, it is this moment of clarity that I am thankful for today.  

If you so choose, click on the link below.

**** Change your words ****

His excuse is blindness. But what is ours? 

We have the ability to see.
But do we?



The second video she sent is also amazing.
Enjoy.
Say what you will  

Day 11: GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED

Today I am thankful for Saturdays filled with roomie dates, criminal minds, and good friends. I woke up and felt like I was getting sick, and I really just wanted to lie in bed all day. But typical Thuy-vy style, she drug me out of bed for some retail therapy and overall roommate bonding. She refused to accept no as an answer. This attitude carried on into the evening.

As much as I drag my feet when she forces me to put on real pants, I must say I love her for it. Tonight I am spending quality time with good friends, and not much is better than that. Sometimes I get too caught up in the adult part of my life that consists of school, grad school applications, and internships that I forget that I am still a 21 year old college student. I am thankful that I have good friends that remind me to be young and live my life.

Levi and Thuy-vy, this one is for you.

You two are the greatest friends a girl could ask for. 

Day 10: quiet moments

Today I am thankful for lazy afternoons. I don’t get many of those, so when I do it’s a rare treat. I went home, had some not-so-healthy snacks and watched Friday Night Lights. I worked on some homework, but none of it is due until next week so there was no stress attached to it. It was a wonderful feeling, to be able to have an afternoon where I wasn't working, or rushing to finish a project. To have a night where I go to sleep early, a night where I sip tea and listen to great music, and just be.

I still have many things to do, but it was refreshing to have a moment of ‘me’ time.  I’ll get back on the grind tomorrow, but today was about healing. There is a quiet strength to being alone, especially when it’s your choice. Parties and going out and hanging out with friends, it’s all wonderful, but sometimes you just need some time off to recharge, ya know?   

I am thankful for those peaceful afternoons, those quiet moments of introspection.

They’re good for the soul.