Daily: Reflect on at least 5 things for which I'm grateful (Happiness Manifesto #2)

I am grateful for my friend who invited my daughter and I to accompany her and her daughter to New York City tomorrow. Isadora is so terribly excited to be going and I am so looking forward to a wonderful time with the four of us.

That when my car broke down tonight (yet again) just as I was pulling in front of my Mother’s house. I can leave it there until I can get someone to come and look at it.

That my Mother let me borrow her car.

The people who have put in a good word about me for the job I am trying to get.

Being able to help several people today.

Being able to borrow an alarm clock so I can get up in time to start our trip.

A wonderful, snuggly bedtime tonight with Isadora and Tristan. We have had cranky temper tantrums for too many nights in a row, it is so nice to be back to enjoying eachother at bedtime.

The brilliant sunshine yesterday, so bright I wished I hadn’t left home without my sunglasses. A very rare treat during this usually gray and gloomy time of year.

My sister’s help yesterday when I was trying on clothes. Sometimes an honest opinion can be the best gift.

Isadora’s generosity yesterday.

Being recommended for a job that I think I could be very good at even if I don’t exactly match the official criteria. It is nice to be recognized for my ability and potential.

Very interesting discussions with Isadora. Her depth of understanding and openmindedness amaze me.

I am grateful that I was able to see the strange weather today from inside my cozy home. It was the first time in my life that I witnessed lightning and thunder during a snow storm.

My sister’s boyfriend and my Brother-in-law fixed my car today and it was very minor.

Interesting conversation shared over a great micro brew beer with the guys after they fixed my car.

A nice long nap.

Not having anything that was terribly urgent on my to-do list today.

I am grateful that my car broke down in a place I could safely leave it overnight, that it was within walking distance home and that the weather was fair while the kids and I walked. Actually it was a rather pleasant walk.

That my Sister’s boyfriend is willing and able to come take a look at the car tomorrow to fix it.

The wonderful meal, company and conversation my kids and I shared with my friend and her daughters last night. I love talking to her, we can share things we are passionate about and discuss our thoughts with eachother in a non-judgemental and open way even though our beliefs in some ways are very different. I am very grateful for our friendship.

Time and space to devote to my thoughts today.

The long phone call with my sister today. She is always there for me to try my ideas out and talking them over with her usually leads to even better ideas.

The feeling that everything is perfect, even the seemingly imperfect moments.

I am grateful for the long chain of events which has lead to my finding a project which I am devoting myself to passionatly. The road to this point has been difficult and sometimes painful but it is precisely those painful experiences which have given me the perspective and compassion to do this work. I truly feel that this is my calling, what I am here on this earth to do. When I get a bit more planning and footwork done I will be adding this porject to my goals list.

The people I have encountered in the past year. The talents, strengths and expertise that I will need to draw on to make my big project a reality are all around me and available in the form of the new people I have met along the way.

The beautiful dreams I have been having, full of hope.

The feeling of lightness that has surrounded me all day. So very welcome after months of stress and strain.

Being able to look around and see the progress I have made in all areas of my life. I still have more work to do but it is nice to be at the point where I can see the difference.

I am so grateful to my friend who let me borrow her camera so I could get pictures for my grant application portfolio.

A wonderful day with a friend and her daughters.

Being waited on by the guy at the post office that I was a bit short with a few weeks ago. It gave me a chance to apologize.

That my artist resume is finished and I am pleased with the results.

Sunshine pouring through my windows this morning, it really does lift my mood. Maybe I’m solar powered?

Seeing a full rainbow the other day. Not a very common site in January around here.

That my Aunt came through surgery ok and is home recouperating.

I am grateful for the exquisite weather we have had the past two days, so warm and full of sunshine. A very nice temporary reprieve from the cold and gray of winter.

The conversation I had with Isadora about death last night. The subject is unpleasantly close at hand after we visited my Grandfather in the nursing home yesterday. When it is time for him to pass from this life it will be hard but I think Isadora will be better able to cope after our long talk.

A day spent at the playground with our friends. The kids played for hours and I was able to enjoy a wonderful conversation.

I am grateful that our furnace will be repaired tomorrow and that it really isn’t very cold tonight.

That mom invited the kids to spend the night tonight. It will be so much easier to get out of the house in time tomorrow if I only have myself to get ready. Although I do miss them already.

That everything always works out eventually.

Beautiful moments of clarity.

Friendship that can withstand even the roughest of times.

Finding more puzzle pieces of my life.

My children’s forgiveness when I haven’t acted as my best self.

I have been reflecting on how much I have, focusing on all the things that are in my life instead of looking for lack. I am such a rich person!
I am grateful for:
*The lovely apartment I live in with my children.
*A car to use.
*Handy brothers-in-law who come to my aid and fix my car when something breaks down.
*My Mother who has always tried to support me in the things I do.
*My sisters, who keep me company, keep me inspired and keep me laughing.
*My two incredible and beautiful children. Unfortunately I don’t show them enough everyday how special they are to me, I need to work on this.
*Moments of peaceful clarity, when Truth comes shining through.
*When I am following my path and staying true to course the Universe provides all that I need to continue forward on my journey.
*Friends both near and far who are dear to my heart.
*The festivities at my home tonight filled with family, friends, laughter, good food and thoughtful gifts.
*All of my wonderful Grandparents who have always been there for me.

I am very grateful that my Mom came and rescued us when I ran out of gas yesterday. It would have been a very long and cold walk home.

Snow. Snow outside and spending the day in my jammies inside.

That Tristan is old enough now to go outside and play with Isadora while I get some work done.

Homemade cookies and peanut butter fudge delivered to my door tonight.

An all too brief but very sweet snuggle with Tristan.