What Surprises You?

A lovely soul (Hannah Marcotti) posted this question on her amazing website a few days ago and I have been rolling it around in my brain for the past few days, slowly working it (probably over-thinking it) out:

What Surprises You?

The love that S and N continue to show me, even though they are growing up

How touchy my sensitive heart is on certain subjects...

How close my dad and I have become in the past year.
*this one needs a bit of back story. My dad and I have always been close. I'm his first born and he would do anything for my baby sister and I. We have always known we are so incredibly loved. Our relationship has always been one where he felt the need to protect, almost a stereotypical Father/Daughter relationship. Now while that need is still very much there (and still very much appreciated on my part), this year we have become friends. I have to tell you, he is one of the most delightful people I know. Somehow I won the jackpot, because he truly is amazing...

How much I am enjoying the people I work with

How much hurt I will let myself endure before I finally say enough. 
 ( must work on this...)

How often the friends I have become close to in the past few years say "I Love You"
 (so very grateful for this...)

At how vulnerable (in a good way) and connected I can feel in the company of some ah-mazing women in an e-course that I am taking

How much travel to a new city (or a re-visit to my favorite city) makes me come alive

What surprises you? I'd really love to know...

Wishing you a life full of great surprises

-S

My Gratitude List

following my conversation with my dear friend last week, i did as she asked. i kept a journal with me to write down everything i have to be grateful for and everything that made me joyful. now, while i don't think i got everything down, i definitely got her point... i have so much in my life that brings me joy, happiness and fulfillment. just because i am not at the same places all my other friends are does not mean my life is not going in the right direction. there is no plan, no formula to follow. just embrace the journey and enjoy...

here is a sample of my list (i won't post the entire thing, it's 8 pages long ... i am incredibly blessed)

things that i am grateful for:

a roof over my head / a bed to curl up in every night / a kind-hearted, soulful man who tells me every day how lucky he is to be my father / a bright and shiny mother who never stops making me laugh / a sassy glamazon of a sister / a best friend with a heart of pure gold/ an aunt who accepts me for exactly who i am / two beautiful boys who make me feel so incredibly special and blessed to be their big cousin / my creative spirit / three very special women i work with that make every day a joy/the opportunity to take photographs of my beautiful friends and family members/the two years spent with a group of the most passionate and creative theatre artists, who also became a second family to me/my mentor and the blessings and lessons he continues to bring into my life

" For today and it's blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude"
- Anonymous

Good Morning 2011

I woke up this morning happy, and with a feeling that anything could happen ... anything is possible.

Now don't get me wrong, I normally wake up happy and grateful that I get to spend another day on this planet full of possibility, but there was just something special about this morning.

It's 2011, and I have a feeling it is going to be a really great year ... in fact that is my goal for this year!

I believe in making your own luck, and creating what you most need to find. This year, for me, will be focused on doing just that.

In 2011 I will:
1. focus on photography and learning more about something that gives me great joy
2. find more time to work on my personal scrapbook/journal
3. take the ecourse by the lovely Boho Girl, Denise Andrade
4. focus more on my blog and learning more and more about blogging itself
5. gather inspiration from other bloggers and spend some time absorbing their knowledge
6. visit my beloved New York City again (not so much theatre this time ... more wandering)
7. focus on becoming healthy and learning what works for me and my body
8. Start an Etsy shop to sell some of my prints (stay tuned for more info!)
9. go on photography adventures at least once a month with a dear friend
10. make time for more hooping, atleast 3 times a week for half an hour!

Hoping your 2011 is happy and healthly!

Much Love!