30 Days – Day 30: Self

Yesterday, a friend of mine who is a parenting coach wrote on social media about her child’s assignment before Thanksgiving where she was to write about what she was thankful for – but about what traits in herself she was thankful for.  So instead of writing that she was thankful for her house or siblings or food on the table,  she was to say things like “I am thankful I am a fast runner – or I am thankful I’m smart or I am thankful I am a good artist.”  The friend was like “I’m all for boosting self-esteem but who exactly do you thank for being a fast runner, for example?”  She’s a devout Christian, so this question led to her examining the celebration of faith at Thanksgiving.

I guess that is how I feel about this theme – self (except the faith part).

I am grateful for self….?

So I took a photo of myself taking a photo and am calling it good.

Why?

The word “Self” is defined as:

a person’s essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action

Given that definition, I am grateful I am a leader and not a follower. I am grateful I figured out that being me vs trying to follow a crowd leads to more happiness.  I am grateful for not being a sheep, but more the wolf.

Yes, my cynicism is getting the better of me, but while I could thank myself for that – it is life and the people in it that have helped me learn who I want to be and who I am.  They are my teachers – my friends – my family both blood and chosen – my coworkers through the years – the kinksters – people who read this and interact with me online …..it’s pretty much everyone including those who aren’t nice to me.

So I guess that is the answer – to be grateful for self is to be grateful to all those who have contributed both directly and indirectly to my evolution of self.

It only makes sense then that the photo is a reflection of me taking a photo of me. Because we are all a reflection of that around us –


This is my last day for this challenge.  I’ve honestly enjoyed the hell out of being forced to get out and take photos based on a theme.  While I do take a shitload of photos, I don’t get out enough sometimes or I get stuck in a rut.  I cannot find a December themed challenge that isn’t way too fucking cheesy.  So, I may make up my own.  Already have some ideas too.

What do you think?

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