list (at least) 100 ways that I know there is a loving god/goddess/force operating in my life.

100. all this love that I’m feeling
99. surprise packages
98. whales, and being overwhelmed at seeing them
97. beaches early in the morning
96. arriving safely at the airport
95. things going better than I expected
94. surprise hugs
93. a nice, warm bath/shower
92. the birds singing outside in the morning
91. shooting stars
90. the stars twinkling at night
89. happening upon unexpectedly great movies
88. sunny, breezy days
87. my dog keeping a watchful eye on me
86. knowing that there are people out there who care for me

85. finding new bands/singers to love
84. otros aires
83. hearing Glen Phillips’ voice
82. seeing my dog get that happy face whenever I pet him
81. being cheered on my goals, entries and comments here on 43T
80. overhearing remarks from people around me that suddenly make me laugh
79. cool breezes exactly when I’m feeling hot
78. the sun shining into my bedroom at noon, lighting it up
77. friendly smiles from strangers
76. uni sushi
75. hot tamales!
74. cinnamon imperials!
73. jelly bellies!
72. 100% good days
71. good problems
70. happy accidents
69. having dreams come true
68. when a very long wait is finally over
67. shoes that fit my feet like a glove
66. good movies
65. finding stuff (usually money) in my jeans pocket after sticking my hand in, thinking that it’s empty
64. that good feeling I get after I exercise
63. dreams
62. being inspired by other people
61. oranges
60. finding things shortly before I even anticipate that I need them
59. waking up in the morning in a cheerful mood
58. tulips
57. that surprise perfect cup of coffee
56. other people writing exactly what I feel and/or want to say
55. having a good laugh with a friend or family member
54. watching a movie with my brother
53. my sister popping up on IM at the most unexpected times
52. my mom giving me encouragement even though it’s only through e-mail
51. my dad giving me a hug when I’m down
50. reconnecting with good friends whom I haven’t seen in ages and seeing that our friendship hasn’t changed one bit
49. books that speak to me
48. hearing a song I’ve never heard before that cheers me up
47. moonlight
46. sunshine
45. my dog always knowing when something’s up
44. surprise gifts from my aunt
43. unexpectedly finding the way out
42. things that end badly turning out to be blessings in disguise
41. sudden peace of mind in the midst of total chaos

40. people changing their mind for no apparent reason and suddenly supporting or helping me with that I need to do
39. what I once thought was impossible suddenly happening
38. good news out of the blue
37. strength from out of nowhere helping me to go on
36. sadness, because it reminds me that I was created with a heart
35. breathing, because it reminds me that I’m alive and still okay
34. support from unusual sources
33. long, meandering conversations that get to a point I needed to hear for so long
32. surprise projects from the most unexpected sources
31. surprise phone calls
30. friends who love me unconditionally, we’re already siblings
29. friends who pick me up when I’m being hormonally challenged
28. forwarded e-mails that come at the right time
27. that sudden second wind just when you think you’re already done
26. pets who know when you’re feeling bad
25. hugs from the most unexpected people
24. long, interesting conversations with friends
23. free coffee
22. good advice from strangers
21. other people’s understanding

It’s odd how it was so easy to write down things that make me happy and it takes so much thought to actually do this one. I should open my eyes and be more aware of the little miracles that happen to me on a daily basis.

20. people showing up for some unknown reason and telling me exactly what I need to hear
19. the sun breaking through the clouds when I’m feeling sad
18. suddenly having enough money to buy something that I need exactly when I think that I can’t afford to buy anything
17. finding something that I was looking for right when I need it
16. the end of waiting for something to arrive
15. thinking about how much I’d like to have something, and suddenly have someone give it to me (or give me something better) out of the blue
14. waking up in the morning
13. having an almost instant connection with someone I’ve just recently met
12. finding a partner in crime in the most unexpected place
11. seeing opportunities that weren’t there before suddenly open up

I haven’t written anything for this goal in quite a while, so I guess I’ll several things at one go from now on.

10. friends whom I haven’t seen in ages suddenly popping up exactly when I need a friend to lean on

9. finding a phrase, a sentence or a paragraph in something I’m reading that sounds like an answer to a problem or to a particular thing I’m mulling over

8. going to the kitchen starving for a midnight snack when I’m working long hours and finding something to eat that’s still warm and seemingly newly-cooked

7. people going out of their way to make me happy

6. hearing an unexpected favorite song on the radio when I’m down or exactly when I’m in a really good mood and celebrating something

5. my dog, who makes me feel loved whenever I feel as if the entire world is up against me

4. real friends – they’re there to cheer me up when I’m down, they really are concerned about me, they take care of me when I can’t take care of myself, and they’re there in all sorts of weather. I’m especially grateful for those whom I never exptected to stick around but are still there against all odds.

3. family – who else would be stuck with me and can do nothing about it? Seriously, though, they’re the ones on whom I can truly depend on, and the ones who’ll be there through thick and thin.

Sunrises remind me that there is something or someone greater than me that runs the universe. It reminds me that no matter what happens, I’ll always have a new day ahead to look forward to, a new day for making amends, for new beginnings, for more hope; that there is someone out there giving me another chance to do things right.

^{pretty sunrise picture from this site}

There is something about the unexpected kindness I recieve from people whom I don’t know-especially when I need it most-that makes me feel so acutely that there is indeed someone out there looking out for me. I always receive what I need, whether I think I need it or not, and it’s always a great surprise.

(Thanks for the invite, RuthG!)

^sarai.net