Day 6

Today I'm thankful for:

Afternoon naps with my cats
Perfect fall days
Perfect fall day runs
My nifty key chain that makes taking individual keys on and off extremely easy

Day 5

Today I am thankful for:

Being ahead of schedule
Taking time out to watch The Wonder Years on Instant Netflix
When things go as planned

Days 3 & 4

Forgot yesterday again. Alas, it takes 30 days to make a habit. Or is it 28?

Yesterday:
Productivity
Accomplishing my running goals
Good sushi

Today:
Sleeping in
Salted caramel hot chocolate
Avoiding buyer's remorse
The lack of traffic on Sunday mornings

Day 2

I forgot yesterday! Busy, busy, busy.

I'm thankful for:

having things to do at my internship.
meeting new and interesting people.
friendly bus drivers.

The 14 days of Thanksgiving

For the next 2 weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I will post a list of things I am thankful for that are of particular relevance for that day. I am stressed out about not having enough time or money, and hope this will make me feel better.

Today I am thankful for:

Catching the bus just in time (twice!)
Having ample outerwear options
The occasional packet of Nutter Butters
People who aren't afraid to disagree with someone just because the latter someone seems to have more authority

Ta-da.

Social work pessimism.

I often get frustrated with the idea that anything is achievable with hard work. I understand this thinking has diminished a bit with the recession because people understand that bad circumstances can befall any of us, and it's not due to individual failure. However there is still the presumption that each of us has the power to change our own circumstances. We need to set goals and never give up. Look at all those people born into poverty who are now lawmakers and educators. The Colin Powell argument. This is a hard thing to argue against, because it really does sound logical. Just keep at it and eventually it will come your way. If it doesn't, you didn't try hard enough. Many people who think this are well-meaning - teachers trying to instill hope in their students, activists trying to inspire a community.

Unfortunately, they're wrong.

And this is the best quote I've found to summarize it (and believe me, as a social work student I've read a lot on this.

"It is a false hope informed by privilege and rooted in the optimism of the spectator who needs not suffer—a “let them eat cake” utterance that reveals a fundamental incomprehension of suffering."

Not to say the sufferers or the people trying to help empower them should give up. But there are other things that need to be changed before we can assume that all people have the same chances for success. This country is as far from equality as it gets.

A Christmas card teaser.