Snippets of SnapDragon

Because who doesn’t want to feel appreciated?

. . .

I read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project several years ago, during an extremely challenging year of teaching high school English. It was exactly what a burned-out, weary soul like me needed at the time. And, it’s pretty remarkable how many times I think of it; there were so many profoundly-simple truths within its pages.

So this weekend, as I loaded our dishwasher for the gazillionth time, I thought about Gretchen Rubin and her gold-star theory. I’m majorly paraphrasing here, but basically she said that we all tend to keep track of how much we accomplish during each day, and it always feels like so much more than it is. Everything we do—from basic hygiene, to house work, to our jobs, to errands—it does feel like a lot just to survive in this world. And it can be frustrating when it feels like we’re unappreciated. It can feel like a slap in the face when the day asks us for even one more thing.

. . .

Now, don’t get me wrong. I know I’m appreciated by my husband. (And in a very rudimentary way, our two toddlers.) They are sweet. And, of course, they do so much for me. (Well, okay. My husband obviously does more than the kids. But you get my point.)

I also very much try to be a good friend. I try to be a good daughter, sister, and even granddaughter. I mean, why wouldn’t I, right?

I almost feel like it takes more energy to be a dick in this world than it takes to be a pleasant human being.

What am I getting at? I guess it’s this:

Life can be a lot sometimes. Each and every one of us has obligations, fears, tasks, and unmet goals.

We might have annoying neighbors, insensitive siblings, or incompetent bosses. We might have unexplained migraines or outrageous credit card debt. We might, dear god, have all of the above, and more.

We have all experienced stress and fatigue. It is, after all, the human way—or, at least—it’s the American way.

. . .

So whenever I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and under-appreciated, I’m just going to thank myself, yo.

Thank you, SnapDragon, for having dozens of clean washcloths at the ready.

Thank you, SnapDragon, for returning your library books on time.

Thanks Snap, for remembering birthdays. For responding to text messages. For not driving drunk. For voting.

Thanks for continuing to recycle, despite research showing it’s mostly a waste of fucking time.

Thank you for smiling at people, only to be met with looks of indifference.

Thank you, SnapDragon, for being a decent person in this seemingly cruel, consumer-driven world.

Thanks for doing the basics.

And thanks for not giving up.

. . .

SnapDragon is a writer who feels like a self-righteous butthole when she posts thoughts like this. (shrugs)

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