Thanks for All the Giving

I think that today's title has a double meaning in that we are duty bound to give thanks, but also to thank people for all their giving. Otherwise, the point would be lost. Although we may thank God for our lives and our material possessions, I think that the most important things we can be thankful for are the people around us.
I am thankful for the 3 hour conversations I have with my father at any old time. I am thankful to be able to see my boyfriend 3,000 miles away through MSN messenger. I am thankful for the connections that I made over the period of three days without internet or cell phone at SOCLR. I am thankful for the people who are helping me reach my potential, giving me constructive criticism, and cheering me along the way.
I am thankful for anyone who is there to listen to me. I am thankful for all the people who trust me enough to give me their stories and open their hearts to me. And I am thankful for Allah and his mercy and wisdom, that guide me daily.

As many have said before me today, take pause and realize what you're thankful for this Thanksgiving - relationships, events, items, and whatever else you are most enjoying in your life at this moment. Happy Thanksgiving.

P.S.
The internet is back! And I'm thankful for that, too!

Nexistentialism

I wrote most of this post this morning [during English class, yes, I don't care if that is incriminating] so the only thing I am going to say other than that is that I must must MUST finish my personal stuff tomorrow morning - we have school, then Speak rehearsal and then an open rehearsal for A Midsummer Night's Dream and so I won't get home till probably 9pm. Wooh...
And, as well, I am kind of embarrassed to say that I haven't been able to do as much photography in the past 2 days so I have only the stuff that I took yesterday [dramatized above] and might have to use that tomorrow. It's sad, but at least I got to be photographic heavily for the two days before! Anyway, on to the post.

As I sat with my dad at the breakfast table, he trading stocks and I shooting emails out into the wild, I was reminded of the philosophy I decided to adopt a while ago: existentialism.
But in an edited way, you know? I believe in God and I believe in the works of man, but I have decided that... none of it really matters.
The world is futile, effort as well. All has been preordained in my opinion; God is the ultimate judge.
When I was so apathetic, in the years where depression hit hardest, this gave me some purpose. Ironic, right? No purpose to make purpose.
Right now I feel I should think to that again. Breathe in, breathe out. And maybe all this stress will melt into purpose. I will make myself healthy, I will hold myself accountable.
After all, if life has no purpose, why not make the best of it?

Check out some more posts featuring my photography.

What God Has Given Me

I believe I should count what I have received in my life. If I am not satisfied, I have been spoiled too long.
- I am thankful for my family, being alive and healthy.
- I am thankful to live in this country, with a house, provided for.
- I am thankful for my cats, who understand my mood swings.
- I am thankful for my best friends, Kita and Heathy and Chels and Ka-chan, who have been there for me when needed and even when not.
- I am thankful that I get to learn, have the chances.
- I am thankful for my health, my eyesight, and my nearly perfect teeth.
- I am thankful for my passion, the need to write, the opportunity to do so.
- I am thankful for the ability to read and understand.
- I am thankful for my emotions, which range far and wide, from love to tristesse.
- I am thankful for music.
- I am thankful for being able to watch the seasons change.
- I am thankful for being 17 and not dead and gone.
- I am thankful that I can work with my hands, knit, craft.
- I am thankful that my body is warm.
- I am thankful that I can breathe, in and out.
- I am thankful to take yoga, and the venture to unlock myself.
- I am thankful for knowing, for watching the news, for learning the world.
- I am thankful to be introspective; a little girl masquerading in her mother's shoes.
- I am thankful to be able to think about the future.
- I am thankful for photographs, memory books, and the visions of the mind's eye.
- I am thankful for being able to love.