List 5 things I am thankful for everyday

Today I’m grateful for:

• My friends passing their exams – hurray!
• My lovely neighbour who always makes me feel I have someone watching out for me
• My wild garden – it’s overgrown but I love it! There’s so much beauty there.
• That the roof didn’t blow off last night even though it sounded like it would! I did hear that the roof blew off an apartment block elsewhere in my county though – hope the residents are ok.
• The people here who remind me how much love and goodness there is in the world. It makes me feel better to see people reaching out to try to help each other.

• Well today is just lovely and special because it’s Getmygrooveback’s birthday! I’m grateful she’s having a lovely day – she deserves it! I’m thankful she was born so the world gets the benefit of her unique combination of wit, talent, beauty and kindness.
• For the luxury of watching an old episode of Dynasty while the rain lashes on the window! It’s so funny watching old stuff like this and it’s undemanding entertainment. A big pot of tea and a fleece blanket completes my cosy comfort.
• For making some small progress on my Buddhist path. I’ve found some great resources that are helping me get to the heart of what’s important to me.
• Escaping the terrible flooding that has affected some parts of the country.
• Being able to freecycle some more stuff to a very lovely person. He saved some money, I freed up some more space without having to put more stuff in landfill and I met a lovely person into the bargain. Symbiosis in action!

19th
1. Started my new job, meh, at least it’s an income.
2. A better work environment than last time.
3. Random encounters and interesting conversations.
4. Listening to my intuition.
5. A good book recommendation

20th
1. More income.
2. Actually doing work and being productive.
3. Two hours at the gym.
4. My favourite bodycombat instructor – so much energy!
5. A beer and girl talk

21st
1. Even more income – 9.5 hours worth.
2. Friendly coworkers.
3. Free candy.
4. Fun chats.
5. The feeling of falling, the excitement and the uncertainty.

16th
1. A train ride
2. A good interview
3. A phone call from L
4. A clean room
5. Finally feeling like I can relax

17th
1. Visiting an English speaking doctor! So much easier than struggling with gestures and broken Japanese.
2. Another interview
3. Delicious beer
4. Great company
5. Falling asleep in someone’s arms

18th
1. A job
2. Lounging
3. Haruki Murakami, almost finished Wind-Up Bird
4. Movies
5. Coffee

My brain is a little sleepy still but let’s see what it can come up with!

• Enjoying some meditation sessions without judging myself. Sometimes I’m too hung up on whether I’m doing it right or wrong but just recently I seem to be accepting it for what it is and just going with the flow.
• Having a roof over my head. The weather is wild and stormy and my heart goes out to all the homeless people. I’m so lucky.
• Getting on better with my sister. It makes life so much easier.
• Good news that my friend’s Dad came through a small operation ok and is coming home from hospital.
• Waking up at a reasonable hour. I don’t like waking up late, even at the weekends, as I feel the day is half-over. So I’m enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning with a pot of tea – lovely!

Hurray it’s Friday! I’m thankful for:

• Great podcasts from Audiodharma.org. I love listening to them while I’m doing other stuff like cooking, cleaning or when I’m on the bus; I just hope some of that wisdom is sinking in!
• Feeling my creative juices are flowing – alas, I’m too busy to indulge right now but I’m happy to feel inspired again!
• Ice-skating. I’m pretty rubbish but it’s such fun!
• A massive cooking session and enjoying the fruits of it later.
• The wonderful feeling I get from giving – makes me feel joyful and connected to others

This list is so overdue that I should be adding hundreds of things but lets get started with 5! :-)

• Being back on 43 Things. I’m so looking forward to catching up.
• Learning a new recipe today
• Being so cosy inside. It sounds like there’s a fierce storm blowing outside and it’s so nice listening to it from the comfort of under a rug.
• Feeling happy
• Realising I have more than I need

1. A nice walk by the water.
2. A drive.
3. Sweet messages.
4. Just a breather from life in general.
5. Found some stuff to take back to the apartment.

1. Set up an interview
2. A beautiful warm fall day
3. A free train ticket. Sometimes just getting out of the city makes a huge difference.
4. A night with the folks.
5. Seeing my dog again.

My family
My health
My friends
My belief in God
Coffee