Pumpkin pie, a little turkey, some cranberry relish, sugary sweet potatoes with perfectly toasted marshmallows … Did you know that Thanksgiving is not just a holiday that should be celebrated yearly? Every day is a great day to give thanks. And not just the big things either, but the small, everyday things we take for granted.

Food for thought: Imagine if what you took for granted yesterday, you didn’t have today? 

It’s been 2.5 weeks since my winter mountaineering adventure turned almost winter mountaineering death adventure. I thankfully survived, but my feet and hands suffered first degree frost bite. In fact, just now am I able to actually type and it doesn’t hurt. I still can’t run. Walking isn’t as painful and my skin is peeling like a snake shedding it’s skin. My toes are still numb and the feeling is slowly returning. I say slowly because they tested my feeling by having me close my eyes and say certain words if I felt “sharp” or “dull” pain. I felt neither. When I opened my eyes, guess what I saw? A pair of scissors. Yeah, so that should describe the extent of my injuries.

The first few days after the adventure I was reminded just how much I took my hands – fingers particularly – and feet for granted. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I touched, hurt. From touching the covers on my bed to getting out of bed to opening doors to holding a water bottle or cup of warm water with chia seeds to turning the faucet on – it even hurt to eat! I had no idea how much I took for granted on a second-by-second basis. I am always reminded how much I am thankful for on a daily basis, but this experience really gave me a deeper perspective. Besides my feet and hands, I was also thankful to still be alive. (If you didn’t read the story, go do so by reading this.)

As I started being thankful for the use of my fingertips, I realized how many other little things that help my life that I take granted. Like running water. Do you know how much you use running water? Washing clothes, dishes, shower, flushing the toilet, your coffee, cooking, baking. Water is something most of us not living in a Third World country, take for granted.

When we are verbally thankful, it gives us a sense of happiness and joy. Being thankful is good for the soul! So on this Thursday, what are you thankful for? The little things that make your everyday life enjoyable. Be grateful and acknowledge them.

Food for thought: Are you taking something for granted that you might regret if you didn’t have tomorrow?

Have a happy thankful Thursday!

peace, sweat, love: life

photo credit: TheCulinaryGeek

It’s that time of year when everyone eats and drinks. And travels. And complains about family. Or the drive. Or the green bean casserole. And special for 2010  we can add groping to the list. Thanks TSA!

And then, like a thief in the darkness of night, we randomly mention what we are thankful for. WTH? You just got done complaining and griping. Are you really thankful? Or were you peer pressured into being thankful? Be thankful because you want to be. Be happy. Be loving. Gosh, this sounds like a Valentine’s Day post!

And be thankful from your heart. Be grateful YEAR round. Not just turkey and pumpkin pie week. Although it serves as a good reminder to count our blessings.

Here is a radical idea. Yes, I amaze myself with brilliant ideas. Kidding. Write down what you are thankful for. Put it in a special spot (don’t forget where!) Then in February when you want to be at a beach sipping a margarita but are snowbound, pull it out. Read it. Are you still thankful? Or are you just thankful because it was the thing to do way back when? Remember, thankfulness is not a season, it’s a lifestyle.

What are you grateful for? Reply to this post! Then in a few months we’ll re-read them. Cool?

Now go be nice to those around you (yes, including the TSA). And don’t eat the whole pie!

Photo by: Patrick Hoesly

Announcing with excitement!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

At 8:45 am

The arrival of the 20, 000 post was written

@sarahstanley is thrilled that you are a part of her journey called life

Please send any congratulatory wishes, running gear, music, spa treatments, chocolate,  or other goodies her way.

Reflection:

Wow. I can’t believe that I have actually written 20, 000 thoughts. Some have been while I was training. Or while running 50 or 100 miles. There have been quotes. Race recaps. Friendly banter between new friends. Moments of feeling good. Times when I was feeling the pain of running 100 miles. Other posts have been feelings. Inspiration. Encouragement. Motivation. My real life in real time.

Thank you for reading them. Thank you being here. Thank you for being a part of my little world.

And, I would be remiss not to thank dear Twitter. Thank you for allowing me to share my life with so many people. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this. So thank you.

T0 20k more and beyond!

xoxo

Sarah:)

Today I would like to feature a thought. And that thought is “friends”.

We all have friends in our lives. Some may have more then others, but the number doesn’t matter. Its the relationship that does.

Thought #1) are the friends in your life positive or negative?

Thought #2) what kind of friend are you?

Thought #3) are you a friend only to receive something in return or because you care about them?

I don’t know your answers, but these thoughts are some good reminders to think about. Sometimes we get so caught up in having “friends” but not really having a relationship that says “hey, I care about you” or “how are you, I mean HOW ARE you REALLY?” Or “what’s going on in your life?”

Its the quality of a friendship that counts, not the quantity.

I am very blessed & extremely grateful & thankful to have many true friends in my life. However, I want to thank two dear friends in particular that came to my rescue this week.

It is because they cared about me that they reached out to me & genuinely wanted to make sure everything was ok. That my friends (no pun intended) is what a friend is all about! Thank you to C & M!!!! I am honored to have you a part of my life.

Photo by notsogoodphotography