thankful...

marti-me-brenden

taken last sunday for our very thankful-not thanksgiving day but still had turkey-dinner :)

Gavone and Maximus

Gav reading one of his favorite books to his cousin Max

my life at 41 i have so many things i am truly thankful for.

1. thankful for my health (so thankful)
2. thankful for my boys (who i can count on for anything)
3. thankful for my grandson (who currently says "mema, i love you" out of the blue)
4. thankful for my family (yes we put the fun in dysFUNctional)
5. thankful for all my friends that feel like family (so that means if i ever needed a kidney you guys probably couldn't help on that one lol)
6. thankful for the strength i've been given genetically
7. thankful for the strength i have developed spiritually
8. thankful for the strength you can only get through the trial and error process
9. thankful for the little moments in life that make me smile
10. thankful for the moments that make me laugh hysterically
11. thankful for moments of vulnerability
12. thankful for even the sad moments of loss (because the space that is now empty was once filled with someone amazing).
13. thankful for my imagination which paints my world with vibrant colors and music
14. thankful for small acts of kindness leaving you with a warm heart
15. thankful for mean and selfish people who are examples to me of what not to be
16. thankful for flash lights and candles during the dark and twisty times
17. thankful for united fronts
18. thankful for the truth
19. thankful for time
20. thankful for long walks
21. thankful for long talks and heated discussions
22. thankful for wool socks
23. thankful for season changes
24. thankful for hand me down cloths
25. thankful for old habits
26. thankful for NEW habits
27. thankful for quiet moments
28. thankful for soft fuzzy blankets
29. thankful for comfort foods
30. thankful for the people who will answer my phone calls, no matter the hour
31. thankful for stranger's who still open the door for others
32. thankful for random smiles
33. thankful for short but meaningful conversations during the check out lines :)
34. thankful for a heart filled with hope
35. thankful for silly dreams
36. thankful for a job
37. thankful for good books
38. thankful for loud music to dance your frustrations away
39. thankful for traditions
40. thankful for a sense of humor that has seen me through many of hard times lol
41. thankful for another wonderful thanksgiving day :)

wishing everyone a full day of thanks :)

11-11-11, 11:11am

i woke up this morning to the bright light of the full moon shining through my window (3:30 am-yeah this time change has my internal clock jacked up).

i really wish we could just move the clocks 30 minutes and leave it there! ya know, split the difference (i think this is my middle child approach to fixing things lol).

2011 has been an amazing year, filled with all sorts of extremes. lots and lots of highs- lots and lots of lows. the universe has a way of keeping things balanced, although when your standing too close, the lows tend to be difficult to see past...

(at least it had been for me)

there has been many of years i thought i was doing good if i could just breathe, and keep my feet moving. it wasn't until recently direction was introduced.

it happened over a friendly conversation, and from that moment i remind myself -when you are struggling to move your feet, it may mean ya need to ask for directions! 

One would think breathing is easy... fill your lungs-empty your lungs [repeat]. the past several months i have been faithfully practicing yoga (i say practicing cause if you have ever done yoga thoughts of "how the hell am i supposed to bend like that?" fills your mind).

so i stopped worrying about technique and picked a starting point. with each new morning it becomes easier. listening to my body, adjusting, breathing... ah yes, i was talking about breathing! this is when i discovered i hold my breath (A LOT) and NOT just when practicing the ancient exercise. i realized i have difficulty letting go of the breaths i take. breathe in and breathe OUT. so simple yet so freakin' complicated. learning to exhale... i recently came across a saying and i have been using this as a mantra - Relax Breathe Surrender. I find that last word i struggled with the most. you don't really have a choice when the universe throws curve balls- sometimes you are not supposed to swing at them- sometimes your not supposed to try and catch them- you do need to watch for them so ya don't get smacked upside the head (but we all know they can come out of no where and do JUST that). i think with surrender-realizing everyone has struggles-ups-downs-battles-wars-problems-limitations. EVERYBODY. its what you do next. surrendering to the idea you have no freakin' control over what comes at ya- its what ya do with what comes, and your follow through, that's what influences the game. you also may need better gear-stronger helmet, heavier bat, a well oiled glove. remembering its a team sport. people are going to let you down, betray you, make mistakes... they will also be your rock, stand next to you, and help you along through this game called life.  

i'm thankful. thankful i can feel love. see love. hear love. smell love. taste love. this helps me give love. this date is a bit magical... after all "we are all one". on 10-10-10, on 09-09-09, and on 08-08-08 the universe coming together...

=) makes my heart smile (=