reflect on 5 things for which I am grateful

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!

Most of my close friends live overseas, and in the past few days a couple people have been in touch in unexpected but inspiring ways. This is perhaps the Universe’s way of responding to my call for a circle of friends here with a gentle reminder of just how awesome my closest friends are and a nudge to remember to say thanks for their love and friendship. I think too, it is a way of helping me to focus on the sort of people I would like to attract into my life here.

I am grateful for all my friends and the gifts of their friendship.

I am grateful for J who has an uncanny way of ‘getting me’ and letting me know when I need it the most.

I am grateful for S1 who saved me from myself many years ago and still brings in pithy, brilliant flashes of wit that are always on point.

I am grateful for K1’s energy and positive outlook that NEVER fail to inspire.

I am grateful for K2’s thoughtfulness.

I am grateful for my new friend S2 who challenges me almost weekly to be a better version of myself.

I am grateful for:
1. The flexibility of my freelancing schedule.
2. All the jobs/contracts that I felt burdened by this morning – jobs/contracts = income; income = options in my life.
3. My cousin P, who always makes me smile and reminds me I am loved, as she did today.
4. The beauty of a rainy, overcast day (though I am deeply saddened that as we get a little breeze and rain, our island neighbour to the north is being battered by Hurricane Ike).
5. Time spent with S.

1. Came through the latest tropical storm none worse for the wear.
2. The storm was ‘just a storm’ when it passed over us and not the dangerous ‘category three hurricane’ that it is now.
3. Date scheduled for father’s op – forward movement and progress at last!
4. Luscious late season mango from our tree
5. Little bro’s thoughtfulness.