Elisabeth came to my home on the web last week, and this week, I’m over at her house, virtually. 😉
She wrote up a whole interview on gratitude for me, and so her questions and my answers are over at her blog The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist.
This comfy-but-not-fashionable outfit is part of my interview 😉
Elisabeth always asks such interesting questions, so I think you will enjoy our collaboration over there!
Click here to read my interview on Elisabeth’s blog.
(which includes my thoughts about what color gratitude would be if we could visualize it. 😉 )
Selena
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
Ugh I have to click twice lol..
Andrea G / Midwest Andrea
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
You have such a lovely way of putting things, Kristen! I loved the line about having positive things in one hand and negative in the other, how both can exist at the same time. That's a nuanced take many people struggle with.
I know you have a lot on your plate finishing up school, but just throwing this out there as a book editor: I think you could author a fantastic, moving, and helpful memoir!
ErikaJS
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
@Kristen, Yes! I said something along those lines a while ago. Specifically, helping others to separate themselves from a bad marriage situation. It’s an enormous undertaking with many steps, of course, to leave a long term relationship. So many others could learn from how you managed it, the details, the unexpected surprises along the way. The book could then segue into the nursing school part of your life. I know I’ve been on tenterhooks as you’ve shown us that section of your days in the blog. Here, you would help those contemplating that career.
You have a depth of feeling, a wealth of hard-earned knowledge in both areas, and your writing is compelling. It would be a fabulous book!
Kristen
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
Aww, that is a nice compliment!
It is funny; a book feels like such an enormous undertaking, yet I've been writing five posts a week here since 2008. I have written the equivalent of quite a few books by now, probably. Ha.
I think I just have no idea how I'd structure or organize something like a book, which is why it's hard to fathom writing one!
Elisabeth
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
@Andrea G / Midwest Andrea, And please let me be a beta reader????!!!!
Kris S
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
I like what Kristen said about noticing being an important part of being grateful. About 18 months ago I decided that I was going to try to find three positive things in my life each day and write them down. And that was a struggle a lot of days to name three things no matter how tiny. But over time, I started to see more and more 'yays' than I had in the previous 7-8 years. It also helped me to see that happy things don't need to be huge. Seeing migratory birds flying overhead is a happy thing, having the day be not windy after several days of constant wind is a happy thing, finding a penny in a parking lot is a happy thing.
Elisabeth
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
@Kris S, It's so easy to go through life on autopilot, not really engaging with our environment or the people around us. It's a bit like we need to revert to our toddler perspective where everything is interesting and exciting. And as someone who lives in a very windy spot, it is such an absolute delight to have a day without wind! It makes all the difference, especially when it's cold outside.
Central Calif. Artist Jana
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
Kristen, thank you for introducing us to Elisabeth! I am enjoying her blog and getting to know her.
Central Calif. Artist Jana
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
@Elisabeth, aw shucks.
Elisabeth
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
@Central Calif. Artist Jana, I have so enjoyed getting to know you through your blog and through your comments and interaction on my blog. Your art makes me happy, so I'm grateful for that today :)
JD
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
That was a fun read, and what good questions!
I completely agree with holding the bad things in one hand and good in the other. It can be hard to find the good thing, but it's usually there somewhere if you look for it.
I enjoyed this! This is really priming the pump for Thankful Thursday.