“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty
. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13
This day of Thanksgiving, I am posted up in
a bulky leather chair, adorned in baggy sweats & a roomy
southern tide t-shirt that allows for the promised post-meal swell, barefoot, and secure,
cozied up & content...surrounded by my family. Of course, dad &
Whitney (the business man & the worn out college kid...coming off the high of 24/7 partying & all that
Greek life entails) are passed out...while mom browses the
Internet for stocking
stuffers (the best Christmas shopping happens online...there is no guilt there because you never really have to whip out your credit card..you simply punch 'buy it now' and the bank account drains quietly),
4 faithful pets doze sleepily nearby & the sloshing sounds of the pool waterfall sneak through the sliding glass doors, contributing to the white noise that burgeons the laziness of this day.
I don't consider myself a theological-deep-thinker, I prefer to drift along observing but in content moments like this...it is refreshing to stop & acknowledge the serenity that lingers in the still moments where nothing out of the ordinary or extravagant is taking place.
I didn't participate in the Turkey trot, and I forgot to watch the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade...mom forgot to put the rolls in the oven so the 'traditional' thanksgiving table spread was missing one key component but it did not disrupt the flow of the day because sometimes It's okay to stray from familiarity. Stressing over the little things corrupts an otherwise peaceful flow... (
I'm not going to go into the whole "good-energy-flow jargon...no worries). My sweet boyfriend continually reminds me not to "worry" about the things I cannot change or about the things that don't affect me directly (I am an estrogen machine..I can't help it)...I usually act annoyed that he is 'bossing' me but ultimately, I am thankful for his sincere desire to teach me to relax and soak up the 'happy' in the little things.
This is one of those sunny moments of pure
unadulterated satisfaction.
Today everyone accross the country is acknowledging what they are thankful for...
Traditionally on this day, everyone around the table is genuinely thankful for "faith, family, friends, success, freedom, employment, & good food."
Imagine what would happen if we recognized what we were thankful for on a regular basis?
Acknowledge the little 'happy' things... everyday. It adds a little
gusto to the monotony that directs the day.
To my little sister, & anyone else speding through the college experience..be thankful when you find a decent parking space, or a parking space at all, enjoy classes where you make friends, celebrate professors who don't use broken english, embrace the learning experience because it teaches you to focus outside of yourself, love your friends whole hearedly, don't waste your time chasing boys who have bad intentions, get involved with organizations, try out for clubs and teams, work out & don't be lazy (you'll never get that metabolism speed back ever again), drink up but don't black out (you'll want to keep your memories in tact), go to ALL the football games & support your team no matter how well they perform, and don't forget to call home... your parents are paying for your life. Lay out, go out & stay out late, sleep in, eat out, work out, & have a blast.
Once you're on the other side & out of college.. you'll be given a degree that sentences you to the world of employment...while a paycheck is a wonderful thing that grants the freedom to have the things you want... it doesn't provide the same satisfaction that laying by the pool with your girlfriends on a week-day afternoon allows.
Be thankful for the little things everyday, like sweatpants, mimosas, a quality margarita, a supportive family, good pets, bubble wrap, a comfortable bra, sexy shoes that hurt like hell, kind text messages, sweet friends, a faithful boyfriend, cute socks, warm days, pedicures, Starbucks, short check out lines at Publix, not getting pulled over, when someone lets you over in traffic, bars that don't charge cover, the cool side of the pillow, clean sheets, new shampoo, walking into a public bathroom stall that doesn't have pee on the seat, car washes, weekends, holding hands, and driving with the windows down, and great sales! (there's more of course...just start paying attention).
Be thankful, be kind, enjoy life <3
Merry Christmas Time from Kippy & Pippa!
