reflect on 5 things for which I am grateful

1. Today has been elastic and time has epxanded to meet my needs.

2. The rain is washing the plants and trees – everthing outside my window is a shade of riotous, delicious, tropical green!

3. The rain has dampened the traffic noise to a swooshing splash.

4. Progress on project C. Slow but steady.

5. Leftovers.

1. A new friend – who is really an old soul connection.

2. The connecting power of 43T.

3. Respite from the relentless heat.

4. Angels in human form who swoop in when needed most.

5. Old friends and new ways of connecting.

1. Letting go of a fear. The things we fear are often bigger in our minds than in reality.

2. Courage to look a new challenge squarely in the eye.

3. Remembering that it is okay for old friendships to fade and not to mourn what was.

4. Otaheite apple season.

5. Pet dog J’s improving health.

1. My new view from my desk.

2. The next door neighbour’s mango tree which is blossoming in the most symetrical manner and reminding me just how perfect nature can be.

3. Using my old desk once more, which is like being reunited with a trusted friend.

4. The lesson that life is trying to teach me, that I am not quite getting but am trying to understand.

5. Grace, which is new every day.

One of the ways in which I am truly and almost ridiculously blessed is in my friendships and after a night out with an old friend and a new one I am feeling grateful for:

1. Old friends who remind me of who I am.

2. New friends and the gifts they bring, including and especially the ones that are challenging and encouraging me to pay attention to negelected interests/parts of my soul.

3. Being able to move to a new way of being with a newish friend, who I hope will eventually be an old friend but had we not managed to find a different path we could have become former friends.

4. My husband-friend.

5. My oldest (longest standing) friend C, whose generosity of spirit knows no bounds and my dear friend M, whose determination inspires me and who gave me a most beautiful and precious gift in my God-daughter.

1. Life. In the past two weeks I’ve had so much news of death, not of my own family members or of close friends, but of friends and family members of close friends. And as the news of these deaths came fast and furious I was reminded, and remmber still, to say thank you for life – mine and that of the people I love and care about.

2. Lifting fog. For the first time in a few weeks I feel okay. The fatigue is ebbing and I feel at peace. Am scared that this peace of mind, body and soul might be tenuous, but am riding the wave and enjoying the sensation for as long as it lasts.

3. Learning to let go.

4. Long overdue trip to the beach this weekend.

5. Lavender.

1. The restorative and strengthening qualities of yoga.

2. The unbidden kindesses of friends.

3. Lessons in negotiation and self-control from colleagues.

4. Bursts of sunshine on these rainy, rainy days.

5. Remembering what peace there is in silence.

I am revelling in:
1. Cooler days and release from the summer’s heat;
2. Cooler nights that make going to sleep easier;
3. Softer light from the sun that makes everything seem like new;
4. Bridsong, and an especially rousing dawn chorus this morning; and
5. The realisation that though subtle, these changes in nature are very much there and are noticeable, how arrogant of me then not to accept and celebrate my small and subtle changes rather than be impatient and frustrated and consumed by a desire for a “more better life now”!

I got the published version of a document I worked on today and even as I looked back and remembered the absolute agony of writing it, I was able to feel good about what I had produced.

I kept smelling guavas today and then A. gave me a bag full in the evening.

The guavas were accompanied by a sprig of something fragrant – myrtle maybe? Now it weaves its scent around my workspace. At unexpected but welcome intervals its releases a burst of fragrance, just to remind that it is there.

Dinner with S.

Play with my four-month old nephew.

1. Yesterday’s dragonfly escort that kept me company for several minutes (though not many yards of road) as I sat in morning traffic. A small reminder of beauty and transformation in what could have otherwise been a frustrating experience. She is with me still.

2. This morning’s early stillness and cool breeze that was particularly calming.

3. Increasing strength and flexibility from my exercise routine. After neglecting my body for almost a year it feels really good to be getting strong again.

4. The disappearance of a few aches and pains – likely linked to 3 above.

5. Bergamot!