365 Days of Grace - Day 1 of 365

With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world.
- Dalai Lama

So lately I've been feeling empowered. No particular reason really but I'm just "in a really good place right now". (*Sorry for the use of an annoying cliche phrase*) I was in cycle/circuit class on Wed night and had an epiphany of sorts. I just couldn't believe that I was enjoying being tortured for one solid hour by getting on and off a spin bike to lift weights. I couldn't believe that I am excited to study for the LSAT and go back to school, or that I couldn't wait to go to work the next day and close the lease negotiation that I was working on. It is just weird! I am so grateful for every day and every moment! (I know this is getting ridiculous...I promise I'm almost done...)

Along with my fitness schedule, my reading schedule, my singing schedule, my dates with Tim schedule and my TV watching schedule...I decided that although I enjoy running around with my iPhone filled with lists and schedules I want to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n and savor the flavor (to use another cliche) of my life. Live in the moment (last one I promise) if you will. But often when we start listing what we are grateful for it usually ends up being a monologue about how great we are individually...see paragraph above ;). This time will be different.

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I stumbled upon some bloggers I read posting Day whatever of 365 Days of Grace and looked in to what it was. As you know I have an affinity for list making, so what better way to fulfill #32 and be a little more optimistic about life in general. I will strive to NOT make a list about myself. So join in or not... a little optimism and gracious perspective never hurt anyone...

1. Oscar nominations

2. Netflix on xBox to watch Oscar nominated movies

3. coffee and peanut butter power bars

4. productive department meetings

5. friends that you can be honest with

NaBloPoMo - Day 26 - Thanks!

Although Thanksgiving is tomorrow having family in town this week has had me thinking of the things I'm thankful for this year. So much has happened in the last year. I almost feel like it is New Years and I'm looking back. I still have one more month to make memories for 2008. But here is my annotated list of thankfulnesses. I'm going to get pacific here because thanking friends and family in a blanket statement is lame and doesn't waste enough time when writing posts at work at 3:30pm the day before Thanksgiving.

I'm thankful for...
1. Being an American - tomorrow is just Thursday ever where else in the world
2. Tim - he's the bestest husband I know and he puts up with my crazy. I'm thankful for the fact that we agree that communication is the most important thing in our relationship and that we can overcome anything if we keep that in mind.
3. Sara - with out her I wouldn't love my job as much or have been inspired to go to law school or have someone to give great suggestions to about anything and every thing
4. Amy - she is cute and funny...but really she needs no explanation because our love can not be explained...(*awkward pregnant pause*)
5. My parents - I'm so thankful for their love and support of every endeavor that I may decide to obsess about for what ever duration whether it be a second or years. I'm thankful for the love that they show each other and the openness they have about their relationship. No matter what dysfunctions they may think they have, their marriage is one that proves that love conquers all and give me an example to live up to.
6. My seesters, Elise and Monica. I miss them every single day. Although we didn't get along great growing up...now they are my best friends. Living in three different states really made me realize how much I need them. A compromise must be made about the livable distance at some point. I'm so excited for Elise to live in OK again so we can make some more memories together and I'm so excited for Monica to be living her dream of studying in another country in Jan. Although I will miss her terribly now that I've discovered the glory that is Skype I won't be so heartsick for her goofy face.
7. My health. A little over a year ago I was 20 lbs over weight with a bad knee. Tomorrow I will run in my first 5K. I'm so thankful and proud of myself for putting my health as a priority and I finally feel good. Getting healthy turned out to have many more than just physical benefits. The self confidence is almost overwhelming. Getting healthy has improved my physical appearance, my relationships, my career, and my spirituality.
And finally...
8. I'm thankful for being alive. It sounds silly, but really. Being alive, living in the moment, the world is such a wonderful place with wonderful people and I don't want to miss anything. I savor every moment good and bad. It makes me who I am.

Habe Dank.

NaBloPoMo - Day 12 and some #32

After a day filled with boredom, broken furnaces, meetings, hunger, and blisters on my heals I walked in the front door and Tim reminded me that he isn't deaf.

I cook 6 days a week. I use a lot of spices. When we moved into our new place this summer I established a spice shelf - one 8"x8" shelf in a cabinet and now I'm at 3 shelves of that size and some random spice jars in the pantry. I'm always looking for the Italian spices or something and I'm always complaining out loud "I can't find anything!...here is the Rosemary, and the Paprika, and the the Marjoram...where are the dang Italian spices?!?". Today I slugged into the front door at 5:30pm, after nixing the idea of attending my Wednesday night spin class, and went to deposit my lunch containers in the kitchen. I look around and see a beautiful shiny new stainless steel spice rack with refillable glass containers. I am dumbfounded...of course...where did this come from? Is it from the maintenance guy who came to spray for bugs today? Did I buy it during a black out retail therapy session? No, on his way to work Tim saw that Linens and Things is having a going out of business sale and went there at lunch and bought me a spice rack, for 30% off! I love this man and his secret listening skills. Either he loves me a lot and is showing appreciation of my cooking or he is tired of me whining about lost spices... I choose to believe the latter.

#32 - Show gratitude daily

Although #32 – Show gratitude daily – isn’t something to “accomplish” I am feeling very gratuitous lately. Not for any particular reason. Nothing fabulous or awful has happened. I am just happy. Satisfied really. Gratuitous. I have wonderful friends who put just as much effort as I do into maintaining a fulfilling and functional relationship. My friendship/marriage is the best it has ever been. I have a wonderful family who supports me what ever I decide to do. I love my job. I just feel great.

I think part of this “awakening” – if you will – has to do with the book “The Power of Now” that I recently finished as part of my August Self Improvement. I think about the message and lessons in this book daily. I feel like I FINALLY get it. It really helped me decipher my true feelings about faith, spirituality, religion, and controlling my mind in my every day life. It is both all about me and all about my relationship with others. Energy. I have control of the energy I project. I have control of the energy I choose to let into my life. The people I hang out with. I won’t judge people for their energy, but if it doesn’t fit into my field I’ll move on.
Forgiveness is key. Immediate forgiveness. Of self, of others, of situations that I do not control and of those I do control but didn’t think through very well.

I’m grateful for my mom for recommending this book. I’m grateful for Tim for putting up with all of the “lectures to myself” that he listens to. I’m grateful for my friends and family for loving me for who I am (even if I’m really really bad at calling people back). I love you all.

Thank you.