Day 26! ABCs of Gratitude: Zeal

Happy Thanksgiving! We've made it to the motherload of days of gratitude and our final letter in the ABCs of Gratitude. For 'Z', I am grateful for 'Zeal' and those who have it.

Defined by Google as "great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective", zeal is an awesome word and one that I hope we can all use more of--about ourselves and those around us--in the year to come. 

But don't let the grandeur of the word fool you. I've worked with a number of non-profits who share the same zeal I have for a variety of topics; and I have tired myself trying to show my zeal through grand gestures and dedicating more time than I have. I would raise my hand for anything and everything and, before I knew it, I was burnt out and felt like I was failing multiple parties. In recent months, however, I have found that zeal is not about the size of your gesture, it's about the amount of heart you put into it. It may sound crazy, but I have learned to be content with just spending a couple hours with a group per month. There are plenty of other ways I could get involved, but I know that bringing all of me to those few hours is better than dragging half of me to cover a handful of things.

What do you have a zeal for? Is there a small way you could put that into practice each month?

Thank you for joining me on this 26-day journey! 

Day 25, ABCs of Gratitude: Yams...

We're almost at the end of our ABCs of Gratitude! Today, I am grateful for 'Yams'.

Well, or so I thought.

As it turns out, the 'Yam' in America is a misnomer. This explains why there is confusion around the difference between a sweet potato and a yam--because in America, the sweet potato is incorrectly called a yam!

I found a great story by Zoë François from her blog,'Zoë Bakes', that explains the history and differences of the sweet potato and yam. If you care to find the real truth, check it out here: http://zoebakes.com/2008/11/21/the-sweet-potato-vs-yam-debate-on-nprs-weekend-america/

Or, you can be like me and enjoy yams--err-sweet potatoes tomorrow in all their buttery and marshmellowy goodness!

Day 24, ABCs of Gratitude: Xylophone

If you have a better thing than 'Xylophone', I applaud you! I do not, but I am by no means grateful for this instrument by default. I am grateful for the xylophone as well as the percussion side of music as a whole. I'm no music expert (anyone who has heard me "sing" can attest to that) but after admiring my brothers' percussion skills (I even tried to follow in their footsteps when I was in middle school) I have a fond appreciation and gratitude for the drummers and percussionists in the world.

Many people think that percussion is just banging on drums, but it's much more than that. The percussionists usually get the least amount of credit and have the most cumbersome of equipment. But what seems like background drumming is actually a critical role. The percussionist can play both the subtle leader--keeping the entire band on the same tempo, or a striking exclamation--with a timely crash of a cymbal or jolly cowbell (which we all know we could use more of...am I right Will Ferrell fans?).

Another great thing about the xylophone and percussionists? They usually don't take themselves too seriously like those lead singers do. Take this rendition of "All I Want for Christmas is You", for example. The setting is playful, but that adorable rainbow xylophone really brings it home!

Ok, the kids are pretty cute, too.

Day 23, ABCs of Gratitude: Water

Wow, day 23! Not gonna lie, I've had some ups and downs in my life throughout the past three weeks, but proactively practicing gratitude has really kept me stable and grounded throughout all of it. Today, we're sharing what we are grateful for that starts with the letter 'W' and I am grateful for 'Water'.

I. Love. Water. For as long as I can remember, I have been a total water baby and felt at home in the swift and weightless element of water. It is the source of many life forms (I think that is why astronauts and space fans alike were so excited about finding water on Mars?) and keeps our bodies functioning as they should.

Water is also an element that I have so much respect for. Bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans all have a very calming effect on me and there are few things that re-center me like a trip to the beach.

The Enchanted River, Philippines

The reason I have so much respect for water, is because those same calming bodies of water can also be powerful forces of devastation. Tsunamis, floods, and crushing waves have crushed towns and wiped away the lives of many. Most recently, typhoon Haiyan ripped through the Philippines and have left many abandoned, hungry, or dead. The country is still hurting and, as we show gratitude for what we have in our lives, I think it is important to share our own blessings with those who need some extra help. There are a number of ways to help, but here is a consolidated list courtesy of the New York Times.

Thank you for visiting! Tomorrow is a challenging one but I'm determined to have something for you! No little 'X' is going to shake me from these tracks!

Dia 22, ABCs de Gracias: Vino

Dia 22 y estoy compartiendo una cosa por que soy graciosa que empieza con la letra 'V'. Y soy graciosa por 'vino'. Mmmmmnomnomnom.

Vino, especialmente por los meses mas frios, es una bebida que toma para relajarme. El Cabernet Sauvignon es mi tipo de vino favorito. No hay algo tan fantastico como disfrutiendo en una copa de vino despues de una dia larga en el trabajo o con amigos en una noche de invierno.

Day 22 and I am sharing something that I am grateful for that begins with the letter 'V'. And I am gracious for 'Vino'. MMmmmmmnonomnomnom.

Wine, especially during the colder months, is something I drink to unwind. My favorite type of wine is Cabernet Sauvignon. There is nothing as fantastic as enjoying a glass of wine after a long day at work or with a group of friends on a winter night.

Day 21, ABCs of Gratitude: Underdogs

Back on track and welcoming Day 21 with open arms! Good to be back.

Today I am grateful for 'Underdogs'. These unlikely victors have been the subject of many remarkable stories for thousands of years. They usually make me cry tears of happiness and, most importantly, they remind me that advantages in opponents are not always what they seem.

I recently finished reading Malcolm Gladwell's book, "David and Goliath". He was inspired to write the book after he found out that everything he had perceived about the biblical story was actually completely wrong.

The chapters of the book touch on various ways in which an advantage can be a disadvantage; and more poignantly times when disadvantages--if managed in the right way--can be advantageous. The key takeaway for me was that the term 'Underdog' and its perceived disadvantages are just that, a perception. A viewpoint. Often from a third-party outsider. As it turns out, being an underdog is not about struggling to combat with the same strengths of your foe in hopes of leveling the playing field. Doing this will only amount to a mediocre version of the other person's clear advantage. Instead, focus on the God-given strengths you have and build upon them. When you embrace these talents and run with them, you may just find that those very strengths will throw your Goliath off-guard and bring him tumbling down.

The term underdog is often used in sports. And I can't help but think that, when it comes to sports, the most memorable winning teams require a fairly long track record of wins and championships to be memorable (especially amongst people that aren't direct fans of that team). In fact, if they falter even a bit, people tend to disregard them and remember them for the fall rather than the climb.

Underdogs, however, only need one upset to write a story that people will revisit for years to come.

So today I am writing about underdogs because not only do they dare me to have faith in the improbable; they teach me to focus on the good things in my life, not just the shortcomings.

And, I know it's not until next week but....GO BEAVS!! Civil War 2013 is yours!

Day 20, ABCs of Gratitude: A Public Apology to 'S'

Some of you may have been a little confused yesterday--and rightfully so! After a week of little sleep and lots to do, I completely skipped over the letter 'S' on our ABCs of Gratitude train! I feel pretty stupid, but as someone who loves words and writing, I mostly feel bad for the letter 'S'! I know what it's like to be passed over, so here is an apology poem for that 'S'pecial letter that has taught me a lesson to not take myself too 'S'eriously ;)

An Apology Poem for 'S'

Eighteen days it was
That you thought you'd wait
But a slip of my memory

Pushed out your date

The word that I'm thinking of
You are the first letter
"Sorry" is how I feel
No less, no better

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride
You're my next guess in Hangman
After vowels
And before 'Y'

Without you, 'S'
There would be no 'S'weet
There would be no 'S'mile
No 'S'ocks for our feet

When I'm not so 'S'leep-deprived
I'm actually quite 'S'mart!
Please forgive me, dear 'S'
This comes from my heart.