I really have to tap deep within my gratitude bank to find the thankfulness. Between the results of the election and the shit-show that will be taking place over the next four years and possibly beyond, it's so difficult to be grateful. (By the way, like you, I don't participate in those 30-day gratitude challenges. They give me a headache.) News diet is helping, but I can't completely protect myself from the news.
I am so grateful for art. It has been my salvation. For example, yesterday, I was exceedingly depressed and didn't want to work on one of my landscape paintings. But I forced myself to sit down at the canvas and start. Three hours later, I was jubilant. That's what art does to me. I need to create more often.
Of course, above everything, I am grateful to be alive. While I still feel the psychological effects of cancer, I'm so lucky, really, to have a great support system and to be living. I am grateful for my wonderful daughter. She is a true gift.
There are likely a lot of people struggling in the gratitude department this year. Hence, this piece. Of course, we can feel grateful and ungrateful at the same time. Cherie's comment sums it up nicely. I feel a lot like her. Staying on my news diet has been really helpful. I am protecting myself by limiting who, what, and how much I watch. Joe and Mika made it easier. I used to watch their first hour or so every day. Not anymore. Their visit to Mar-a-Lago seems like a really bad decision. I feel betrayed - maybe that's too strong a word, but maybe not.
Like you, I am grateful to be alive too. Cancer fallout never goes away, but that's the way it is with most trauma. I'm glad you have a good support system, as do I. And you have your art, which benefits not only you, but your fans as well.
You have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too. Heading to the North Shore/Lake Superior - a place that never fails to heal, rejuvenate, and inspire.
Thank you for sharing and as always, for your support. I appreciate you.
I struggle with remembering to stop each day and think of what I’m grateful for. I know I have so much. But when I remember, it does help me look at the world differently. There have been times in my life when I didn’t feel gratitude- when I was in major depression and dealing with a cascade of losses in a short period of time. I don’t pass judgment on anyone who for some reason doesn’t feel there are beams of sunshine warming them. There is often too much of that toxic positivity floating around out there. Life is hard. Anyone who pretends it isn’t is lying to themselves. Sometimes people just need a kind word or a hug without feeling the pressure to give something in return.
Taking time every day to think about what you're grateful for is a worthwhile exercise, for sure. Like you, I don't do the best job putting that into practice. I read on Stephanie Raffelock's Substack the other day that every morning before she gets out of bed she says, thank you. I really like that and plan to do it. Such a simple thing to do that might set a tone for the day - or at least for the first few minutes.
You are such a kind person for never passing judgment, and yeah, you know my feelings on toxic positivity. Yuck. A kind word, a hug, or even just a smile can make such a difference. Thank you for that reminder.
Happy Thanksgiving, Alene. Thank you for your ongoing support. I appreciate you.
I received two cancer diagnosis this year, and everyone tells me I should be grateful they were found as both were without symptoms and totally unexpected. And I am, in a way. But it’s hard to feel grateful for a gift you didn’t want. If anything, I feel incredibly ignorant for not previously understanding what women with breast and ovarian cancer are going through - especially OC.
I'm sorry you've been diagnosed not once, but twice. It's completely understandable that you are struggling a bit with the whole gratitude thing. You're dealing with a lot, so be gentle with yourself. And don't beat yourself up for not understanding before your own diagnosis what women diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or any sort of cancer go through. It's a hard thing to grapple with.
I hope you're doing alright. May your holiday season be one that brings you peace and love. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts. I appreciate you.
I love your comment. It sums up how I feel at certain points in the day anyway. But as I wrote in my article, this is okay. Whatever you're feeling is valid. Give yourself grace as there's nothing to prove.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts - they resonate! I'm glad our paths have crossed here on Substack. I appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Nancy,
I really have to tap deep within my gratitude bank to find the thankfulness. Between the results of the election and the shit-show that will be taking place over the next four years and possibly beyond, it's so difficult to be grateful. (By the way, like you, I don't participate in those 30-day gratitude challenges. They give me a headache.) News diet is helping, but I can't completely protect myself from the news.
I am so grateful for art. It has been my salvation. For example, yesterday, I was exceedingly depressed and didn't want to work on one of my landscape paintings. But I forced myself to sit down at the canvas and start. Three hours later, I was jubilant. That's what art does to me. I need to create more often.
Of course, above everything, I am grateful to be alive. While I still feel the psychological effects of cancer, I'm so lucky, really, to have a great support system and to be living. I am grateful for my wonderful daughter. She is a true gift.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Nancy!
Hi Beth,
There are likely a lot of people struggling in the gratitude department this year. Hence, this piece. Of course, we can feel grateful and ungrateful at the same time. Cherie's comment sums it up nicely. I feel a lot like her. Staying on my news diet has been really helpful. I am protecting myself by limiting who, what, and how much I watch. Joe and Mika made it easier. I used to watch their first hour or so every day. Not anymore. Their visit to Mar-a-Lago seems like a really bad decision. I feel betrayed - maybe that's too strong a word, but maybe not.
Like you, I am grateful to be alive too. Cancer fallout never goes away, but that's the way it is with most trauma. I'm glad you have a good support system, as do I. And you have your art, which benefits not only you, but your fans as well.
You have a wonderful Thanksgiving, too. Heading to the North Shore/Lake Superior - a place that never fails to heal, rejuvenate, and inspire.
Thank you for sharing and as always, for your support. I appreciate you.
I struggle with remembering to stop each day and think of what I’m grateful for. I know I have so much. But when I remember, it does help me look at the world differently. There have been times in my life when I didn’t feel gratitude- when I was in major depression and dealing with a cascade of losses in a short period of time. I don’t pass judgment on anyone who for some reason doesn’t feel there are beams of sunshine warming them. There is often too much of that toxic positivity floating around out there. Life is hard. Anyone who pretends it isn’t is lying to themselves. Sometimes people just need a kind word or a hug without feeling the pressure to give something in return.
Hi Alene,
Taking time every day to think about what you're grateful for is a worthwhile exercise, for sure. Like you, I don't do the best job putting that into practice. I read on Stephanie Raffelock's Substack the other day that every morning before she gets out of bed she says, thank you. I really like that and plan to do it. Such a simple thing to do that might set a tone for the day - or at least for the first few minutes.
You are such a kind person for never passing judgment, and yeah, you know my feelings on toxic positivity. Yuck. A kind word, a hug, or even just a smile can make such a difference. Thank you for that reminder.
Happy Thanksgiving, Alene. Thank you for your ongoing support. I appreciate you.
I received two cancer diagnosis this year, and everyone tells me I should be grateful they were found as both were without symptoms and totally unexpected. And I am, in a way. But it’s hard to feel grateful for a gift you didn’t want. If anything, I feel incredibly ignorant for not previously understanding what women with breast and ovarian cancer are going through - especially OC.
Hi Colleen,
I'm sorry you've been diagnosed not once, but twice. It's completely understandable that you are struggling a bit with the whole gratitude thing. You're dealing with a lot, so be gentle with yourself. And don't beat yourself up for not understanding before your own diagnosis what women diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or any sort of cancer go through. It's a hard thing to grapple with.
I hope you're doing alright. May your holiday season be one that brings you peace and love. Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts. I appreciate you.
Precisely! Struggling to feel grateful and guilty because I have so much to be grateful for. Thanks Nancy!
Hi Cherie,
I love your comment. It sums up how I feel at certain points in the day anyway. But as I wrote in my article, this is okay. Whatever you're feeling is valid. Give yourself grace as there's nothing to prove.
Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts - they resonate! I'm glad our paths have crossed here on Substack. I appreciate you. Happy Thanksgiving!
All the same to you, Nancy!