FUZE: Week 39

     At the end of Cost week, knowing we were moving into Thanks week I made a one page list of all the things that bug me.  I was a bit shocked at how easily I got through that page.  Just for fun and in the spirit of honesty and transparency, here is my list…

Annoyances

Cancer.  Child abuse.  Domestic violence.  Rape.  Neglect.  Hunger.  Poverty.  Ungratefulness.  Pride.  Arrogance.  Ignorance.  Judgmental people.  Lack of tolerance.  Unwillingness to learn.  Know-it-alls. Hidden agendas.  Broken promises.  Unfulfilled expectations.  Stinginess.  Fear.  Boring artist’s talks.  Boring lectures.  Ill prepared presentations.  Self-centeredness.  Tardiness.  Missed deadlines.  Running out of shampoo before conditioner.  Shaving my legs.  Razor burn.  Being alone on holidays.   Spoiled milk.  Presumptuous people.  Goodbyes.  Lies.  Change.  The lone broken cracker left in the box.   Dust bunnies.  Inconsiderate smokers.  Addiction.  Suicide.  Weddings.  Cake with too much frosting.  Waxy chocolate.  Paintings under glass.  Gallery fees.  Fake people.  Forced vulnerability.  Shoes that pinch.  Sweat stains.  Hate.  Homelessness.  Short shorts.  Noisy neighbors.  Noisy housemates.  Alarm clocks.  Drunkenness.  Swearing.  Sexism. Euthanasia.  Abortion.  Disrespect.  Music snobs.  Crowded pubs.  Uncomfortable chairs.  Country music.  Rap.  Apathy.  Stupidity.  Blaming culture for bad attitudes and actions. Buying toilet paper and tampons.  The cereal dust in the bottom of the box.  Trying on jeans.  Packing.  Chipped nails.  Pantyhose.  Broken sunglasses.  Crowded trains.  Bad elevator courtesy.  People who talk loudly on cell phones in public.  False piety.  Strapless bras.  Heavy backpacks.  Asking for help.  Asking for money.  Needing money.  Showing up underdressed.  Forgetting things.  Paranoia.  Whales.  Sharks.  Being out of control.  Other control freaks.  Always being far away from someone.  Being left behind.  Shin splints.  Bruised fruit.  Gray roots.  Getting lost.  Whining.  Pushover parents.  Undisciplined children.  Long lines.  Hairy legs.  Superficiality.  Insecurity.  Barbies.  Carrying groceries home.  Difficult locks.  Sticky keys.  Inconsistency.  The song “Happy Birthday.”  Double standards.  Mustaches.  The unknown.  Weak coffee.  Bitter tea.  Bragging over sin.  Bad habits.  Breaking habits.  Cheap paintbrushes.  Stereotypes.  Politics.  Cliché clothing.  Vegans.  Paying more for organic food.  Coddling.  Late buses.  Bad public art.  Clothes on dogs.  Matching outfits.  Failed blue tack.  Tattoos drawn with sharpie.  People who say, “tats” rather than tattoos.  The word moist.  Washing getting rained on.  Dead batteries.  All lids and no Tupperware containers.  Broken umbrellas.   Sunburns.  Blisters.  Gossip.  Entitlement.  Complacency.   Pride.  Clogged drains.  Cards with too many words.  Bad art.  Blame shifting.  Being ignored.  Pity.  Being set up.  Dating.  The dentist.  False accusations.  Getting left out.  Receiving obligatory invites.  Jealousy.  Manipulation.  Dry skin.  Oily hair.  Failure.  Waiting.  Having to rely on others for your need to be met.  Low quality paper.  Sticky lip-gloss.  Racism.  Bad customer service.  Overly sensitiveness.  Migraines.  Warm beer.  Unclear expectations.  Excuses.  Complainers.  Gossip.  Canceled appointments.  Going to the doctors.  Calling things vintage when they’re just old.  Oatmeal colored clothing.  Melted crayons.  Being called crafty.  Torn contact lenses.  Yard work.  Paying for health insurance.  Stubbornness.  Cockroaches.  Humidity.  Cheap glue.  Dirty feet. Uncomfortable silences.  Weak handshakes.  Soaps that smell like food.  Confusion.  Being short.  Car trouble.   Socks with sandals.  Elitism.   Lame pick-up lines.  Religious speak.  Folding laundry.  Picky eaters. 

     I know what you’re thinking… “Great way to start Thanks week Shannon!”  That exercise was done to set up a contrast for this list, one page of things I’m thankful for.  Here’s that list…

Thankfulness’

Family.  Hope.  Coffee.  Art.  Art Galleries.  Reese’s Pieces.  Shade.  Free bus rides.  Tattoos.   Aloe Vera gel.  Sunscreen.  Prayer and financial supporters.  Grace.  Redemption.  Paul’s letters.  Cross references.  Beauty.  Skype.  iTunes.  Free wifi.  Brunch.  Sharing brunch with friends.  Eggs Benedict.  Air conditioning.  Fans.  Heaters.  Creativity.  Messy studios.  Good critiques.  Art magazines.  Naps.  Bubble baths.  Mani/pedis.  Baristas that remember your order.  Sales clerks that remember your name.  High heels.  Routine.  Soft beds.  Tinny roses.  Big sunflowers.  Donuts.  Maps.  Google.  Generosity.  Champagne.  Hot showers.  Red toenails.  Nieces.  Nephews.  In flight movies.  Latex free Band-Aids.  Midol.  Homecomings.  Long talks with old friends.  Sleepovers.  Snuggling.  Family game nights.  Might-as-well-be-family.  Humility.  Honesty.  Proximity to the people I want.  Margaritas and guacamole.  Personal space.  Friends to be quiet with.  Knitting.  Clean sheets.  Spell check.  Yoga.  Dancing.  Sparkles.  Wax.  X-Acto knives.  Sleeping in.  Lazy mornings.  Friendly bus drivers.  Eyelash curlers.  Care packages.  Good graffiti.  Power point.  Prayer.  Scented candles.  Cool weather.  Rain.  People who “get it.”  People who support you even though they don’t “get it.”  Secondary colors.  Nibbly platters.  Belief.  Stories.  Materials.  Meaning in objects.  The stones that cry out.  Accents.  Sisters.  Pretend sisters.  People that it’s hard to say goodbye to.  Multitasking.  Listening and good listeners.  Train rides.  Surprises.  Comfort food.  Butter.  Adventures.  Discovery.  Overlapping of ideas.  Good paint.  Reusable shopping bags.  Lilies in the bush.  Fresh herbs.  Fabric softener.  Long afternoon teas.  Girly china teacups.  Girl time.  Daddy dates.  Whoppers.  Nicknames.  Driving with the windows down.  Facebook messages.  Spas.  Learning.  Teachers.  Crossing things off the to-do list.  Clever kids.  Hugs.  Cotton thermal blankets.  Baby animals.  Kind sarcasm.  Inside jokes.  Being home alone.  Picking people up at the airport.  Wondering aimlessly.  Being read to.  Day dreaming.  Podcasts.  Back rubs.  Stupid TV.  Couch time.  Days off.  Peacemakers.  Wind.  Mentors.  Scientist and mathematicians and knowing that I don’t have to be either.  Internet banking.  Home cooked meals.  Bravery.  Kindness of strangers.  Intricateness of our bodies.  Hair dye.  Ancestry.  History.  Dinner parties.  Guests.  Babies with milk breath.  Humor.  Play.  Patterns.  Swinging.  Common grace.  Literacy.   Letters of reference.  Unsuspected opportunities.  Collaboration.  Being appreciated for who we are and what we can offer.  Freckles.  Laughter.  Freedom.  Feminism. Femininity.  Audio books.  Narnia.  Imagination.  Church.  Kitsch.  Art history.  Paisley.   Resolution.  Family recopies.  Tradition.  Pajamas.  Wine tastings.  Being amazed.  Old family snap shots, even if it’s not my family.  Gifts for no reason.  Thunderstorms.  Analogies.  Metaphors.  Happy accidents.  Parades.  New journals and sketchbooks.  Filled journals and sketchbooks.  Postcards.  New pens.  Post-it notes.  Travel mugs.  Turkish delight.  Dreams.  Family trees.  Sweet-tea.  Cartoons.  Sale racks.  Warm homemade bread.  Art books with lots of pictures.  Authenticity.  Unlimited text messaging.  Irony.  Stamps in passports.  Big earrings.  The Bauhaus.  Hand sanitizer.  Raw edges on wood and fabric.  Honest compliments.  Spontaneity.  Tweezers.  Road trips.  Unsolicited encouragement.  Ladybugs.  Courtesy.  Graphs.  Factoids.  Love. 

      Why go through this exercise?  To remember that in the midst of extraordinarily costly things, and mountains of things that get under my skin, there in much to be thankful for.  Often it’s the little, everyday things that I’m thankful for.  Choosing to take notice of the things that make me thankful somehow makes the annoyances more tolerable and the cost seem not to great.