50 things

Let’s face it. This election season has been ugly and trying and nauseating and any-other-yukky-word-you-really-want-to-insert-here. Woe to our teens and ‘tweeners’ who are studying American government for the first time. (And I’m sure our respected teachers are letting them know this is in no way the norm…)

Due then to the current, undesired challenge of being seemingly far harder to focus on what’s good and true and right, I thought it might be more uplifting to intentionally redirect our focus.

Thus… 50 things I’m thankful this election season…

1. Friends
2. Family
3. The fall changing of the leaves
4. The Intramuralist & our diverse audience
5. Authentic, deep communication
6. Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling”
7. “Saturday Night Live”
8. Clinton and Trump singing “Now I’ve Had the Time of My Life”
9. Great candidates’ faces for caricatures
10. The fact that this election season will actually come to an end
11. The ability to be in touch with friends via Facebook
12. Friends who refuse to rant and rave
13. Friends who DO rant and rave — but know the beauty of grace, apology, and forgiveness
14. God’s mercy
15. America the Beautiful
16. Disneyland
17. The Cubs in the playoffs
18. The NFL and fantasy football (even though my fantasy team stinks)
19. Common ground
20. Technology
21. The fact that my kids keep in touch via that technology
22. Respectful dialogue
23. Differing opinion
24. Banter that leads to growth
25. The fact that I’m not alone in people who can’t stand pumpkin
26. Charlie Brown
27. The first Christmas/Hanukkah/holiday TV ad (seen on Tuesday)
28. Oooooh… that new show: “Designated Survivor”
29. College football
30. A new coach
31. Cooler temperatures
32. Cooler tempers
33. Unbiased news
34. Being able to discern unbiased news
35. RealClearPolitics.com
36. Listening without judgment
37. Friends who would never trump (LOL) political position over relationship
38. Getting to the bottom line
39. Solution
40. Walking my dog
41. Puppy posts
42. Funky hair hidden under helmets
43. Avocado toast
44. “In God We Trust”
45. The meaning behind the Statue of Liberty
46. Individual liberty
47. The high school girls’ soccer team doing great
48. My special needs son’s weekly cooking show
49. Being willing and humble enough to still grow as an adult
50. And… regardless of what happens on November 8th, regardless of what anyone says, there will be a peaceful transfer of power on January 20th.

Desiring to always encourage a focus on what’s good and true and right… regardless of the season.

Respectfully…
AR