The fireworks were a few weeks ago but I am still enjoying the sense of thankfulness that came to mind among the flashbangs and mosquito swatting. Thinking about freedom and such, I reminded myself that sometimes it’s enough just to be happy in a moment. It was a nice break from the worldly negativity that never seems to go away, and grateful people are the happiest and most emotionally healthy, right?
So I thought about it and was happy in that moment that so many people in this great country are able to spend money just to watch it burn, albeit high in the sky in pretty colors.
Then, as it normally does when I’m pondering, my Poppy side took over and I thought… how thankful is every bouncer and bartender in the nation to realize that for the next year or so, they don’t really have to do math when checking IDs. Everyone born in 19-anything can come on in and have a drink.
Let’s talk about how happy I am for dopamine. How great is it that our brains actually reward us every time we achieve even the smallest goal in life? My ex used to call me a “relief junkie” and it’s wonderful to know that while he meant it as an insult, there is a scientific reason I look so forward to making my deadlines every month or paying off my credit cards (again). I’m just addicted to accomplishing goals and thus, a dopamine junkie be I.
I’m also grateful that I was today years old when I found out the chainsaw was invented for childbirth. Nice that no one in the modern age needs to know that. My friend Nate (who is 12—why would HE need to know that?) shared that bit of trivia and, turns out, it was a 1780s hand-crank medical device and not the world’s worst horror movie. Still… I’m ever more grateful for modern medicine.
I’m super thankful for that last knuckle on our pinky fingers. Each is perfectly formed—and located in just the right spot—to make a little shelf for cell phones so we can hold them and text with the same hand.
Having just come back from a long road trip, I’m also grateful (again) to live in Texas. We drove though beautiful country and lovely little towns for days and, while I envied their lush greenery (from plenty of rain), I realized we totally live in a prosperous little bubble in this state. In other states, the answer to what is this pandemic recession thing of which I hear on the news was evident in empty streets, dark businesses, and diners we got off the highway to stop in but were not open, or were only offering delivery—sights I’m just not accustomed to here. Sad to see, but I guess those are the folks who are packing up moving here. Go Texas!
I’m grateful that people in Hollywood didn’t forget how to make a blockbuster movie in the past couple of years when no one went to the theaters. Even though there are infinite ‘artsy’ flicks we’re supposed to say we like, movie makers haven’t given up on dinosaurs, fighter pilots, and superheroes that completely consume us while we shovel in the popcorn and never take our eyes off the screen. Ready for “Harry Potter and Indiana Jones & That Time We All Had Fun at the Movies” anyone?
Fire. We just built a fire pit in the backyard and I am grateful anew for this most basic element of the universe. Sitting in a popup chair in the quiet, with nary a device, I seem to be able to stare at the flames for an endless amount of time without being bored. I love the comfort, the heat, and the very primal sense of time travel to when people were content to do no more than look up at the stars and talk until they had to get up and hunt down breakfast. Then I remember to be grateful I don’t have to stalk a McMuffin before eating it.
Also today, I’m happy someone posted a TikTok about brown noise being helpful for focus and sleep to my ADHD brain. I’d never even heard of it a week ago but I am suddenly able to do things like write this column in less than four hours—without thinking about food, checking my email, or procrastinating with more TikToks. Even my prayer time is more meaningful because I turn on the brown noise app and my attention lasts way beyond, “Heavenly Father, I thank… look, a bird!” Seriously, if you haven’t tried it, find an app (use headphones).
So, since I made my deadline early, I’m going celebrate with a hit of dopamine from vacuuming up all the dog hair in my living room (again). Hey, it’s a goal, even if it’s replicated daily, so it counts.