Saturday, May 14, 2011

My Gratitude List


following my conversation with my dear friend last week, i did as she asked. i kept a journal with me to write down everything i have to be grateful for and everything that made me joyful. now, while i don't think i got everything down, i definitely got her point... i have so much in my life that brings me joy, happiness and fulfillment. just because i am not at the same places all my other friends are does not mean my life is not going in the right direction. there is no plan, no formula to follow. just embrace the journey and enjoy...

here is a sample of my list (i won't post the entire thing, it's 8 pages long ... i am incredibly blessed)

things that i am grateful for:

a roof over my head / a bed to curl up in every night / a kind-hearted, soulful man who tells me every day how lucky he is to be my father / a bright and shiny mother who never stops making me laugh / a sassy glamazon of a sister / a best friend with a heart of pure gold/ an aunt who accepts me for exactly who i am / two beautiful boys who make me feel so incredibly special and blessed to be their big cousin / my creative spirit / three very special women i work with that make every day a joy/the opportunity to take photographs of my beautiful friends and family members/the two years spent with a group of the most passionate and creative theatre artists, who also became a second family to me/my mentor and the blessings and lessons he continues to bring into my life

" For today and it's blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude"
- Anonymous

Sunday, May 1, 2011

stuck*




I've been stuck lately. stuck in a bit of mess that I just can't seem to work myself out of. I was out for coffee with a dear friend (df) this afternoon, and our conversation went like this;

"df: baby, what's wrong with you lately?

me: nothing, why?


df: that light is gone... that sparkly light you always have in your eyes, it's gone. what's wrong?

me: i just feel stuck is all. i keep digging and digging, searching for something or a way to be unstuck... ( the tears start flowing)

df: what is it that you're searching for?

me: I don't know... my life maybe. something to call my own. someone to love, and someone who loves me back... all around me, people are getting married, they're having babies, they're living these great lives... and me... stuck
. (talking through rivers of tears now)

df: baby, you listen to me ... you have a great life and so much to be thankful for. you are so very blessed, and don't you ever forget it. you have friends and family that love you. do me a favor. go home and write a list of everything that you are grateful for, and don't leave a single thing out. keep that list with you for a week and every time you feel joy and something makes your day even a tiny pinch better, you write it down. by the end of the week, you'll see..."

so here i am with a blank page in my journal and a pen, and I will keep it with me for a week to write everything down. my dear friend, you and your friendship are the first thing on my list...