Payday

I get paid the last day of every month. (It's a university thing.) Today, when I looked at my paycheck, I realized the following things.

* I really like my job. I enjoy the work and the assignments.
* I get along well with my co-workers.
* My commute is good. No freeways and I get to drive past White Rock Lake and pretty neighborhoods.
* There are lots of great benefits, including free yoga, which I have been trying to take advantage of three days a week.
* I am making almost $600 more per month than my last job, after making the maximum contribution to retirement. (I couldn't afford to make contributions to retirement at my last position.)
* My talents are appreciated. No one acts defensive or threatened when I ask a question or make a suggestion (unlike a previous situation).
* I have a regular schedule and rarely have to stay late, which means I've been able to work out, make revisions on the novel, and cook dinner almost every night.
* Nate says he's happy to see me happy. I used to wake up every morning with a stomachache because the thought of going to work made me want to literally throw up.

I am very grateful for these changes.