The Anxious Therapist

I’m thankful for the mini van my parents made me drive my senior year in high school because it makes me appreciate the car I drive now (haha!). I’m thankful FOR a car to drive, gas in my tank, and hearing my favorite song come on in the radio.

I’m thankful for the season in my life when my bank account has less than 3 digits. It made me appreciate hot, running water, a bed to sleep in at night, clothes on my back, a roof over my head, and food in my belly… and the fact that I even had a bank account.

I’m thankful for every fork in the road, every wrong turn I thought I’d made, and the realization that those lead me exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m thankful for the people in my life who’ve hurt me. They’ve shown me to appreciate the ones who’ve loved me. I’m thankful for my rock bottom, for those times when I didn’t think I could pick myself back up and keep moving on, and for those nights I cried myself to sleep. I wouldn’t know how strong I really am without having known such weakness.

I’m thankful for my calling and having the opportunity to live my dream of being a therapist, and eventually a doctor, so that I can help others. (I’m even thankful for the debt I incurred going to law school because it made me realize what wasn’t my calling!) I’m thankful for a job teaching kids who make me laugh everytime I’m with them, teach me more about patience than I’ll ever need to know, and inspire me on a daily basis.

I’m thankful for a man who’s never left my side and taught me more lessons about myself than I ever thought possible. I’m thankful for parents who love me through my faults, love unconditionally, and teach me about life. I’m thankful for friends who listen to me–really listen–and don’t judge me for my flaws. I’m thankful for my fur babies who only know love and make me smile everyday.

And I’m thankful for a God who found me at my worst. I love my life He’s designed for me and I’m thankful for the realization that this life is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever known.

“Be thankful for what you have and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – O