posted
Seriously. I just finished talking to a friend I haven't heard from in almost a year; he's got three kids and has adopted two more from Kenya, found God, and is playing in a Christian metal band. We spent an hour talking about how Mac users are kind of like Orthodox Jews, and made plans to get together the day after GenCon.
We got back today from visiting my wife's family. Her sister got married a few weeks ago to a paramedic and firefighter who looks almost exactly like Tom Cruise, and she's worried about paying back her heavy college debt now that she's graduated and trying to find a job with a degree in social justice.
Before she went to bed, my daughter ran up to me and hugged my knee and said, "Daddy, come down here." So I dropped to one knee myself, and she hugged my neck and whispered into my ear, "I love you."
And now I'm lying here next to my wife, who's breathing softly and rhythmically in her sleep. And if I start getting into how incredibly, insanely lucky I am to have her, I'm not going to be able to stop.
So it occurs to me that, despite all the hassles and concerns of everyday living -- the bills, the pointy-headed bosses, the in-laws, the stressors and concerns -- I love my life. I love being alive. I love this freakin' planet and most of the people on it.
I spend a lot of time complaining and grumbling about the little things, mainly the ones I can't really fix or do anything about. Here's hoping that the next time I feel the urge, I can remember posting something like this.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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posted
Please do post something like this as much as you can. I love to read it and I'm happy for you. You have a great life and the sense to recognize it. Those are indeed wonderful things. Posts: 6415 | Registered: Jul 2000
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You reminded me how much happiness there is to be found in the little things, and in the acheivements and joys of others, as well.
Posts: 3516 | Registered: Sep 2002
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quote:how Mac users are kind of like Orthodox Jews
I don't have a Mac, so I have to ask. Do Macs only work 6 out of 7 days of the week?
Anyway, thanks for the sweet post. I knew it. I just knew it. You really are a marshmallow underneath that gruff exterior.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Your life is actually a televised life-immersion contest, a la "The Truman Show," and the In-Laws and bosses were actually sent in a while ago as a desperate attempt to try to cool down your intense winning streak.
Much to my consternation (I've been betting against you in Las Vegas) -- they have failed.
Posts: 15421 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Congrats Tom, it's good for me to hear people being happy than just complaining for a change. Your post made me happy on the inside.
Posts: 980 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Wow, that just made me smile so much it brought tears to my eyes! You know what? I have a great life too and you've reminded me that I need to talk about that more, rather than complaining. Thanks.
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Lol, I think it was pinned because it was TOM that made the thread.
But hey, I'm very glad for you, and it makes me happy when I see other people really living a life they want to live. Keep up the spirit!
Posts: 879 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Tom, I agree. Life is good. An' it may be hard at times, but the good things in life should always be appreciated.
Posts: 2208 | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
I opened this thinking that since it was pinned, it must have some great news in it or important announcement, like perhaps that Christy is pregnant again. So now, even though its a lovely post, I feel kind of disappointed.
But in the spirit of Tom's post, I love my life too. NOt only do I have a great husband (also a firefighter/paramedic but not one who looks like Tom Cruise - for which I'm grateful as I don't think Tom is all that attractive) and wonderful kids but I was able to register for college and get the schedule I wanted. If you knew how hard it was to get the schedule you wanted and how much luck was involved in that, you'd be impressed.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Huh. See, I also expected it to be that sort of announcement, but found myself happier that it wasn't. It's easy to feel blessed (Pardon the term, Tom) when something important is happening in our lives, and much rarer to see someone speak about the everyday stuff in such an appreciative way. If stickying it means people will read it who wouldn't have otherwise, I'm glad it's stickied. It's a great reminder of how wonderful the normal parts of life can be.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
It's odd that the A.P.G.B.'s thread shot to 3 pages while this one has yet to turn one. At first I found it awkward that this post was given the treatment of a birth or engagement announcement. But I was just reading that Time article on happiness (click on smiley lower right of page) and then came to check on a thread here, and saw "A bird shat on me" and saw how many of the other thread titles are somewhat whiney.
So I'd just like to say I think this is a great post, Tom. The article doesn't go into it, but Seligman's research shows that how you think about what you can't control contributes to your mood.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
I just got back from a war zone. I am extremely happpy to live in a peaceful, nonviolent country. God has given me so much to be thankful for. I love my life.
Posts: 1594 | Registered: Apr 2006
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to you, Tom.
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