Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it.
-Ellen Goodman (Found on my friend Audrey's blog.)

I like a quote that makes me go "huh, they're right..." or at least makes me stop and think for a minute. Our consumerism fuels itself. Want want want want want want want... I mean, there are definitely needs in there that we must find ways to meet, but the very core needs most of us have--food, water, shelter, love--don't demand the excess the majority of our society enjoys.

Also, after researching to see if the above quote was accurate, I found this one by the same columnist:

We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck... But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.
-Ellen Goodman

I remember learning somewhere (probably in Relief Society) that the root of all Christ-like love is gratitude. That's stayed with me, and when I'm feeling obstinate about someone or something, if I get myself to start thinking about what I'm grateful for in regards to that person or thing, I almost always feel my heart soften. Truly, I have a lot to be grateful for. Most Americans do.

So, as a random bonus, here are a few things I'm grateful for today:

  • Cody <3
  • Air conditioning
  • Trying out new restaurants
  • Computers
  • INTERNET! (I have friends if I have the internet!)
  • Truffle's muffled sleep barking
  • Finding new songs or artists to enjoy
  • Chocolate
  • Good lotion
  • Learning new things
  • Juan texting me weird pictures or things that make me laugh
  • People that plant too many squash/tomato/cucumber plants and want to give away the deliciousness
  • My family
  • Mazda3s...and driving them...
  • Getting to talk to Adneisha; she has this way of making me feel useful, important, and loved
  • My new mascara, it's awesome
So, friend/family member/person I haven't met, what are you grateful for today?