Tag: gratitude

One year ago

Watching you from the kitchen while I wait for the coffee to finish and I drop into a moment from a year ago.

One year ago I had very little direction, something I wasn’t used to. My future seemed very unclear. The job I had disappeared and I faced a lot of uncertainties. I applied and applied. I was consumed with searching for work. It was the first time in many, many years that I had nowhere to go and no where to be.

You pass by the window where I am sitting and I think about what triggered me to come to this moment and space. It is how I feel and see myself now. And of course the way you see me, the way you love me and the random kiss in line at the store.

One year ago I never thought the life I live now was even possible. I look at my picture and I am not even the same person I was then. I was unhappy and trying to figure it out.

With the reassurance from friends, long time and recent. I picked up and filled my days with work, the gym and what little life I held together. Not really living, but existing.

I know now more than ever that I am a survivor and I have strength that a few never gave me credit for.

There was a particular conversation where I was told, “I promise you something better will be on the other side of this”. Those words will stay with me for the rest of my days and I pass them on when I can.

So the other side of this was certainty, stability, a job I love, a man who I love more and more every day. A quiet, easy balance to life that I have never felt before.

Sometimes we stay up too late and sleep in

And sometimes we talk a lot or not at all, but there is always, always something to say or share

We drive to Boulder City for breakfast and it doesn’t work out

But we are so present, in everything

So when you stuck your head in the back door I had already dropped into the moment of gratitude for the life I have now and the life I have with you.

So this life is a better life than one year ago…

Always remember that whatever struggles you experience in your life something better will be on the other side of them ….


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Gratitude

For Saturdays like this….

Good coffee and conversation with you

My family, the vintage (because that sounds better) and the new

Our families together and apart

The new life we are building

Trips to Lowes and working in the yard twogether

Candles with oils, herbs and intentions burning in the kitchen

A full heart

Self-care, self-love and more healing

The people I work with and a job I love

Growth and change

Looking forward

Letting go

For a life well lived

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Broken people….

We talk about people who hurt people, sometimes…

I have been thinking a lot about broken people today. Left unhealed or unwilling to do self-work and practice self love, they continue to break others. I know many women and men who have been broken and have given up on the thought of finding someone they can love and will love them in return.

Before I really got to know my life partner, a young woman I know spoke powerful words to me. She said “you will meet someone someday who wont need you to fix them and they wont want to fix you”. Our conversation continued about fixing other people and about the broken continuing to break people. I often think about the men and women who treat each other poorly and my first thought is….”how would you feel if this was done to your child, family member or friend?”. So the partner cheats, would you want your son or daughter to experience the heartache of someone she loves treating him or her this way?

There are so many broken people in this world and they continue to break the innocent because in some warped sense they justify their actions. I have said it before and it just came to mind again, “If you wouldn’t like it or want it done to you, DON’T DO IT!”.

Acceptance….Risk….Happiness

Acceptance…….In order to accept others I think we need to truly accept ourselves, all of our darkness and all of our light. We need to look back at the past and take the lessons that have been presented and move forward with that knowledge. Every obstacle and triumph will teach you something if you are willing to look. Someone will treat you like you are irrelevant and unloved only to show you what you really deserve, someone will treat you like you are not intelligent because they are intimidated by your knowledge. Someone may hold you down until you have no choice but to come up for air, fighting for yourself. We are all human and all worthy of valuable, healthy relationships with people who appreciate us.

Risk….Without risk there will be no reward. Even though you have been hurt, betrayed or broken, however you want to define it, you must find the strength to move beyond it. Self-care. There was a time I painted, or created in some way, my steadfast method of self-care takes the form of writing. It always has and will always be where I find the medicine of life that heals me. Replenishes the layers that have been peeled away. There was a time I sat for hours tying Mala’s (prayer beads). Seems interesting now to realize I was healing while tying prayer beads, but for a time thats where I found peace. I think we need to find an outlet and in it we will find the inner peace that was interrupted by circumstances within and beyond our control. Once I felt like I had time to process and decompress from life’s little messes I was able to consider risking again. I made new friends, after losing trust in old ones, I dated again…after, well, just after. That was risk-taking again to me. Finding strength to trust others in the aftermath of so much pain.

Happiness……Finally. I have been presented with a tremendous amount of happiness. For the first time I really feel like I am living the life I deserve. I never really felt like I deserved good things, I am not sure why. I just felt like I didn’t. I have a lot of good now….just incredibly good. All the bad situations laid ground work and taught me important lessons. I really appreciate the sweetness of life. Unhealed people taught me how they can and will break you, because that is all they know. I think these lessons, however painful, are important. I have learned how to let go, how to risk, and how to trust again. I know how to love and I now know what it feels like to be loved for who I am.

Someday, if you experience broken people, you need to find the strength to try again after you have taken care of yourself. Meet your needs, put yourself first, discover who you are, and find inner peace. You will find them, your people, the ones who know what it feels like to be broken and who would never inflict the pain they have felt on another. You will find people who you can trust, who you can love and love in return, who wont hurt you. And most importantly, wont bleed on you.

Peace in your Saturday evening…..

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Someone once asked….

And someone once asked her what she wanted…

She wanted to sit in a coffee shop on a rainy afternoon and work on the book that she had written a million times in her mind. She wanted to feed her soul with the things she felt most connected to. Words.

Her friends painted and wrote, weaved and crafted treasures for little shops and big. They took pictures of objects and people who fed their souls. They healed their wounds by creating beautiful pieces and places in this life. They left their mark. Yes, she wanted to leave a mark in this life that had meaning.

What did she want? Peace, calm…steady, easy rhythm to life. Not a roller coaster and of ifs and maybes. She wanted certainty. She wanted rain, coffee shops and bookstores. Tea and rosemary, lavender and honey…random simplicities. Big coffee mugs and good people. She wants to listen and be heard, to lift people up and kneel down with…laugh, cry and live life with.

She learned about crows and eagles alone on a desolate road at 12:40 am on a Wednesday morning. She knew about darkness and diving into the depths of it and resurfacing with some clarity. She knew about sleeping and rising alone, and feeling connected and disconnected from life and people.

But it wasnt about what she knew, it was about what she wanted.

Love and happiness……pens and paper….paint and canvas.

Life.

Today she wanted life more than yesterday.

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My journey is my own

My journey is my own. The road I travel is the road I choose…whether it is full of bumps or smooth, it always has something to teach me.

I learn from people all the time…from every exchange there is something to take away. My friend taught me a while ago to “take what you need and leave the rest”. So I went away for a few days, got comfortable and uncomfortable in my own skin and learned a lot. I make my decisions and it is up to me to make myself and my happiness a priority. Sometimes quiet moments alone are exactly what the soul needs in order to heal and find comfort. Mmmmm comfort in your own presence…feels good to think about it. Going to sleep early and waking before dawn..these moments are good moments from my weekend.

My journey is my own and I AM responsible for my happiness.

I have a greater appreciation for people in my life. Even if I don’t see them for long periods and maybe if we don’t speak, if it’s a true connection, it remains. I am grateful for the experiences I had over the weekend and I am more driven than ever to achieve the second of two goals I set last year. So I set the intention and will start working on accomplishing that goal, we will see what comes next.

My journey is my own and I AM responsible for my happiness.

Stuff is stuff….and really not that important. When someone is more concerned with stuff than seeing or hearing from you, it speaks volumes. So that shows you your place in their life and where you stand. It’s up to you if you choose to settle for it. Almost all “stuff” (material items…not personal items) is replaceable. People are not. We need to appreciate those people before they fade from our lives, sometimes you can’t go back or pick up where you left off.

My journey is my own and I AM responsible for my happiness.

Change….I definitely believe that when you get uncomfortable and are forced to make a change it is for the best. I had to figure a few things out this weekend, on my own. It felt liberating and refreshing….”you are in control of your happiness”.

My journey is my own and I AM responsible for my happiness.

Friends….old and new. My friends….I have incredible, meaningful friendships that I treasure. We can long periods without seeing each other and sometimes without speaking to each other and we don’t miss a beat. People you can confide in, without hesitation, who dont judge you, are the best people. They listen with an open heart and advise if you are open to it. Childhood friends, new friends and old friends are good friends.

My journey is my own and I AM responsible for my happiness.

And then there is the realization that life is entirely too short. Five people have passed from November to January…..and things like this make you realize how truly precious life is. Life happens and life waits for no one…I have heard both of these various times over the years and they resonate with me now more than ever. Young, old, healthy and sick….and the moments can come and go that quickly. So what is important? Material stuff? The car you drive? The house? The clothes? Moments…..irreplaceable moments with people you love, these are important.. There is a lot more…but in the end, when the day is done and the sun sets its moments, easy, loving, quiet, even spectacular moments that feed us. Regrets…missed opportunities or risks we didn’t take…LIFE. WAITS. FOR. NO. ONE. Those are the words that come to mind. I wont wait any more ….more of everything.

My journey is my own and I AM responsible for my happiness. 

I lost a fair amount of this piece in the process of uploading it. The point is choose your own path, not the path others would like you to take or that benefits them. The people who you have meaningful connections with will meet you on your journey and encourage you. The rest will fall away. Make choices based on what makes you happy, cherish the people and moments in life…they happen once.

Always remember..your journey is your own ❤

Peace for your Monday night

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas again……

Christmas time….families, tradition, celebration and stress.

Today I can’t wait for January.

New year, new beginnings and new mind-set.

When we relate the holidays with stress and worry they tend to become less important. People aren’t always grateful for what they have or what they receive. Some have more than others and some gifts aren’t enough. Holidays are about more than gifts. To me they are about spending time with those who mean the most, sharing meals, laughing and loving each other. Easy, heartfelt, memorable moments.

I will probably touch a few nerves here, but here we go……

Holidays changed for me during my separation when a couple of members of my family went to my now ex husbands house. So spending that first year alone was a real eye opener and an awakening for me. I enjoyed my time with Buster and sitting on my couch  with my tree lit and candles burning. It was ok to be alone, no worries about what I got someone, if it would be enough or if you could see the gratefulness or lack of happiness in their eyes when they opened it. That is the meaning of Christmas???

I wonder what other people think about Christmas….are they financially struggling to meet all the expectations? Are they pulled in many directions? Are they alone or in a crowd of people? Are they enjoying the simple quiet pleasures of life? The moments that matter most….is there humble gratitude in their hearts for the things in this life that are important?

We, as people are a mess. We have lost so much…or maybe we never had it and that’s why for a lot it’s about the materialistic things they will receive. Ask the person who has lost someone, or hasn’t been spoken to or spoken to family in years what they would be grateful for if they could steal those times back? I bet it would be a lot different from anything that money could buy.

I am tired….and we are less than two weeks away.

Well I wish for everyone a holiday season, however you celebrate, with moments of happiness to tuck into your heart and carry with you for your time. Humble gratitude and clarity for who and what you have in your life.

And finally peace in your soul.

Heres looking forward to 2018 ❤

 

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Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

What do you take for granted? And what part of your life do you repeat with the same results?

I have been thinking about this a lot over the last few days. What do we take for granted? Or who? What are we repeating so that nothing changes?? What is stagnant in your life?

For me it’s probably the time we think we have with people in our lives. Things change and with these changes comes perspective. Life isn’t forever and we seem to let so much slip by us and only give it a thought when we lose someone close to us. It is sad that it takes something of such permanence to make us appreciate what or who we had. To make us think a little more clear and honor ourselves, those around us and this glorious thing called life. When a life, relationship or friend ceases to exist that’s when we realize the importance of it. It’s not only about life and death…but life and loss. And love.

You may think that your loved one, friend, partner..spouse or however you want to define what you have, will always be there without hesitation. People need to know they are loved, appreciated and cared for. If you let time slip by you may not have the opportunity to let them know. Small, simple gestures, I have learned and experienced are the greatest. Reaching out periodically, because true ties surpass time and space. I am blessed to have many people in my life that I can pick right back up with without hesitation.

I have observed people who wont take chances or make changes necessary to move forward or make their experience better. The lonely and heartbroken who wont take a chance simply because they don’t want the same experience to be repeated. I think that risk is in order for them. That heartbreak or bad experience came with some good, there was a road taken to get there and it couldn’t have all been bad. Or maybe you chose to ignore the red flags, I know I have, I am more than sure we all have. It is said that the Universe gives you what you are ready for. So it is given, placed perfectly in your path and you choose what?? Fight it and push forward continuing the same existence or you open the door and allow it in? Everyone experiences pain…but in the same, they experience great happiness as well.

So,

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

It. Will. Always. Stay. The. Same.

If. You. Don’t. Change. It.

Change is imminent. It comes right on time when we need it most. I think we are given what we are ready for. That it’s up to us to accept it and create something wonderful from it or at least take the risk to see whats possible.  I know personally I am always up for that risk. I will always love and forgive as much as I can. It doesn’t mean I need to continue or stay. It might even mean I love myself enough to take better care of me.  I have experienced people leaving too soon and not being able to say what I wanted too, friendships have ceased to exist or we outgrew each other and people have treated me shitty. I don’t return the favor because at some point in life, someone or some situations will give it right back to them. It’s not for us to be unkind or cruel because someone has treated us that way. Life will deal the hand accordingly, it’s better to be a bystander when this is the case, instead of a participant.

So this is life. Treat people the way you want to be treated and in return I hope what you give out is given back in great amounts.

Be kind. Be good. Be true. Be the best you that you can be.

Peace for your Tuesday night.

One more…..
What you take for granted…someone else is praying for ❤

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Gratitude

I have thought about a lot over the last few weeks and mostly today about what I am grateful for. The list is long and not all of it good. But I thought since its time to heal some wounds and resolve some issues….its time to write again.

I woke up less than happy this morning (Wednesday) …probably because I went to bed with a few things on my mind. Sometimes that happens. I am not one of those people who can lay down and fall instantly to sleep, unless I am exhausted, even then it takes time.

I am grateful for the lessons I have learned in this life so far. For knowing how to treat people and having manners when a lot of people don’t. For the sadness, happiness and anger I have experienced. And for my time alone. I am making it and I depend on….Oh! No one, except myself. It’s not a great thing but not a bad thing either. Sometimes alone is not so bad and some times the quiet is overwhelming.

My heart is grateful for the little man who you lived with me for almost 14 years and shared all my lessons with me. I miss him every day. I went to fill his bowl today and realized (again) he isn’t here any more. I want to go get him from where ever he is and bring him home. Talking about him is getting easier. His bed and treasures are still in the living room and I still long for his face in the window.

The young woman who sleeps down the hall from me most days. My daughter….I love her so much. I look at her in wonder and awe and hope in her heart of hearts she knows her Mama always has her no matter what. Crazy smart and strong. Thats my girl ❤

So I woke up less than happy this morning…for no particular reason. It’s funny how random strangers and good people in your life can change it all in matter of minutes. I had a few errands to run this morning and it unlocked the fullness of life for me. I appreciate the things I have and I am able to do. Sure, there are a few things in life I would like to have, not materialistically, but everything comes when it’s supposed too and when we are ready for it. I saw my friend this morning and her loving spirit and kind heart are always a reminder there are still good people in this world. She is one of those people who I met and felt like I always knew. She is an amazing woman. She gave me  birthday gifts, a beautiful throw and a new journal that says Blessed…but the card. I am such a card person. I take the time to make sure what I pick is heart-felt. Her card was perfect and heartfelt. Somehow I ended up in a conversation with a stranger. It started very general and included compliments. Isnt funny that some of the greatest compliments come when you aren’t feeling your best? It must be the Universe knowing that is when we need them the most. Then it turned to birthday wishes, astrological signs and easy conversation. The whole experience lightened my day.

I am grateful for….

People who arrive too late

Who stay too long

Who leave too early

and wait too long to say how they feel

For the ones who weren’t and aren’t nice and the ones who reach out with kind words that remind you who you are, where you have been and your strength. For smiles and words with random people, for ignorance from the familiar too. For the ones the who make you question your place and the ones who reassure you of it.

Blessed am I to have the experiences, the people and wisdom I have gained from all of it. These are just some of the things I am grateful for.

Peace for your Friday

and Gratitude of course ❤

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