Loving this GIST LIST...

I must say that I was always AMAZED at reading Steffany's GIST last year. The way she worded things seemed to put me right there with her and made me smile. I soon realized that I was looking for more and more good things in my life each day. I didn't want to steal her thunder, so I decided that come the New Year, I would start my own GIST LIST.
I've been doing it for 34 days now and I'm actually addicted to it. I have always been an optimistic person, always. I was never one to find the bad in every day life, people would come to me to hear good things about a situation. That's just me, always has been, always will be. This GIST LIST only asks for 5 items, on most days I could seriously go on and on. Don't get me wrong, I have stressful, "bad" days, but I can't and won't let them get me down. If I let all those things get me down, my kids would suffer and I NEVER want that to happen. Everyone has issues that pop up in life, it's natural. I have a hubby that has to travel for work, but I'm thankful that he has a job and that I can be home with and for my kids. My kids fight, but I'm thankful that they have each other and the fighting never out weighs the laughter. I don't have a good relationship with some family members, but I do have GREAT relationships with others. I have two dogs that constantly have to go out and get muddy feet, but they are here to protect me and keep me safe. I've lost contact some friends throughout years, but I've reconnected with some and have found more friends. I lost a very important neighbor, but I was TRULY blessed to have known him as long as I did. I have to look at the positives and this list helps me see that even more clearly. Throughout the day I catch myself thinking "Oh, that has to go on my GIST LIST". I smile more, I try to relax a bit more and take in the world around me. My friend Traci said it best today "Doing the GIST makes me feel lighter." and she's absolutely right. I give thanks to God every night for all that He has blessed me with and doing the GIST is just another way of showing my gratitude for the smaller things.