Today, a Tuesday, has been AH-MAZING! I don't think I've ever been on such a high. And get this, it started at work of all places! Lol. So about 9 months ago I started a book club at work called Book club for Professionals geared around personal and professional development. I work for the most amazing organization in the world, U.S. Army where our purpose/goal is to win our nation's war. I work with some great individuals but on a day to day I notice so many not operating at their full capacity. Why, you ask? I honestly think so many have gotten in ruts that they haven't realized they were in and therefore remain unknowingly in those negative loops.

So I started this book club for us to read and dissect leadership and personal growth related books. We meet once a month on a Tuesday during lunchtime. So today, I arrived to only ONE member. The wonderful thing is that I didn't fret. I closed the door and her and I started on time. I had a lesson plan to guide the discussion and I did none of it. We literally feed into one another great stories and antidotes surrounding living a good life.

Well I won't bore you with all of the things we discussed but one thing I have to share. She talked about her miracles list she had within her notes on her phone. Miracle list? Yes, she says these are all the things she has witnessed to in her life and others. She carried the list around so when/if she has a bad day, she refers to list to get her spirits back up and focused on the goodness of God. So for me…I want to do just that, right here. It will always be a finger tap away for me to refer to as well as testimony in a sense of the things I've been blessed with. My goal is to stir within you these exact memories. We ALL have so much to be thankful for so go with me while I list in August, well ahead of turkey day:

1) I was born
2) And I'm still here
3) I am married to a great man of God that loves me.
4) I have 2 kids that I carried full term with minor complications.
5) I have knee pain but it's nothing serious that requires surgery.
6) My mental health and agility is incredible
7) My major health issue is allergies and sinus infections
8) I have all of my immediate family members accounted for.
9) I have a J.O.B.
10) I actually love my job.
11) I haven't been without a car for more than a week or two due to repairs.
12) I was hit by a drunk driver with my 9-month old son, and he was not injured.
13) My kids are 6 and 4 and active and healthy.
14) I'm sure a car missed hitting me and I never noticed.
15) Sydney Cunningham remains strong!
16) I finished college…3 times over.
17) I have a great relationship with my in-laws
18) Madison, my goddaughter, gives me a reason to smile despite the fact that her father, my cousin has passed away. 😔
19) I wear contacts and often suffer blurry vision but my eyes work.
20) I once drove a car at very high speed (well over 100) for several miles…no accident.
21) Daphne is in remission and she glows when she talks.
22) I had my kids after I got married. So that means my pre-marital sins didn't catch up with me.
23) I belong to a wonderful church family.
24) I've never had to make a decision between purchasing medicine or food.
25) My kids have never gone hungry.

Yall don't know when to shout!!! ~says someone's pastor

26) Life has never been so hard that I wanted out.
27) I have a good man!
28) Wake up daily to new mercies! Thank You Father!
29) I feel safe in my home.
30) Serve a sovereign God.
31) God doesn't need my help.
32) Woke up this morning.
33) Woke in my right mind.
34) Jesus is an awesome friend. We been cool since I was about 9 years old. My true BFF!
35) I have a lot of like-minded friends.
36) None of my prayers have gone unanswered. It's either yes, no, or not now go sit down.
37) I've traveled to places I've never imagined I'd be able to go.
38) No bill goes unpaid.
39) I have a nice house in a great neighborhood.
40) My kids participate in things I didn't have the opportunity to when I was their age.
41) I have funds saved for retirement.
42) Able to save a little for college for kids.
43) No car notes.
44) I'm not the smartest among my friends. (Moral: they challenge me to do better)
45) I've been on a temporary assignment most of this year and enjoying it.
46) My eldest friend, Ms Wanda, is 70 years old. I ❤️ her.
47) I can read and comprehend.
48) Have a discerning spirit.
49) I can vote.
Fifty) The fact that I'm still going!!!

Yeessss Father!

51) I have the functions of my limbs to exercise.
52) No body aches.
53) If He does nothing else, He has done enough!!!!
54) I had 2 successful c-sections.
55) I'm smart.
56) I can't run 3 miles anymore without stopping but I can run 2 miles comfortably.
57) My knees don't swell anymore.
58) I live in the greatest country.
59) My step father has always considered and treated me as his daughter since age 5.
60) My mom taught me one valuable lesson…how to stand on my own two feet.
61) I know my purpose.
62) Always wanted to teach at the collegiate level. My students call me Dr. Redmon.
63) My wedding day was better than I could've imagined.
64) I have no regrets.
65) I live in a free world.
66) Me and my husband have gone through the fire and come out unbothered.
67) Tears don't come often.
68) My daughter had a staph infection at age 2 and we got the right help on time.
69) I survived breastfeeding my daughter.
70) He healed my aunt from a terrible stroke.
71) I know the power of anointing oil.
72) I have mountain moving skills.
73) I've been in dangerous situations but never harmed.
74) Oh the stupid stuff I've done as a teenager and young adult.
75) I'm a daughter of a King.

When things get rough, I will come here and remind myself that my God is still in the blessing business. If I need to be reminded of the important things in life, I'll come here.

So my charge to you is to find a place and write down a list of things you are grateful for! Keep it near. Go to it whenever you need a boost of positivity or a boost of His love and His presence.

Thank you for your attention. Remember you are your own competition.

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