5 Things
I spend a lot of my energy looking forward and anticipating upcoming events, deadlines, and issues. That’s what I’m paid to do in my job, and right now (in the midst of finals, yay) it’s all about juggling and negotiating my time in the next week. Usually I keep my head up and keep my nose to the proverbial grindstone by thinking about fun things coming up: a trip to Miami, a trip to LA, a trip to Sarasota… but right now, I’m trying to force myself to be a little bit more present and appreciate the here and now.
I read a lot of blogs and one of them, Cupcakes and Cashmere, is a living/cooking/style focused one that I check into regularly. Like me, she updates just about daily, and every Friday she posts a list of 5 things that she is currently grateful for. I thought that I would borrow a page from her and do a similar post, and as I’ve been gathering my “things” over the past week or so, I’ve realized just how forward-focused I am. It’s been educational, thought-provoking, and has made me so much more appreciative of every day beautiful moments. I’ve been more inclined to stop and smell the roses~!
So, here are 5 little things that have been making me smile this past week:
…That even when it’s dreary, rainy, and miserable outside, I still love my city… and every time I turn the corner onto my tree-lined block of non-skyscraper Manhattan, I am transported to a more whimsical time and place. [If this looks vaguely familiar-- I live on the same block as Symphony Space, where USPDF is hosted]
…That I am finally beginning to master the fine art of making an omelette in a stainless-steel skillet. You wouldn’t believe how many eggs you have to go through to figure out how to keep the damn things from sticking to the pan.
…That summer shoes in a neat rainbow of neutrals stand at the ready for a non-rainy, maybe-not-quite-warm-enough-but-I’ll-wear-them-anyway day: the epitome of optimism.
…Wearing soft sheepskin lined moccasins while I sit at my desk at work. It’s like giving my feet a hug all day long! Especially since the men in my office seem to all have some kind of desire to keep the place at 40 degrees all day long.
…Really clever industrial design in my new, awesome thermos. Spillproof, thanks to a tiny little latch, and a spring-loaded button that makes the top pop open. With more springs built into the hinge so that even when I tip it upside down, the lid stays propped open so I don’t hit my face on it. And, it keeps my tea piping hot, even when it’s open and ready for drinking, for 7 hours.
And a bonus, because she makes me happy every day:
…a dog who makes me laugh, every day, with her personality, love, and obsession with all things starchy carbohydrate– white rice is a particular weakness of hers.
I really enjoyed this little project and hope you did too! Remember to be grateful for all the small things that make your life what it is. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true– you only have one, and being happy is a choice, and a matter of perspective. What have YOU been smiling about lately?
Tomorrow’s post: Tuesday Tunes…
Hi Amy – great post and thank you for sharing! I do gratitude “work” every morning to get centered and start the day off right . At the end of the day, I use my gratitude rock (from the book The Magic) to reflect on the one thing that happened that day for which I am most grateful to finish my day. : )
Five Things:
1) With both parents in their 80′s I feel very grateful that I have had the blessing and joy of having them in my life for all of these many wonderful years.
2) Same for my siblings – all over 50 yrs old now, I adore them and couldn’t have a better family if I had picked them out myself (although some believe we do just that before we get here).
3) I feel grateful for all of my friends. There was a time here in LI I felt depressed and didn’t know anyone. I have met so many great people through dance and it means a lot to me to spend time with each and every on of my friends and share moments – that’s what life is about after all.
4) I feel grateful for my life experiences growing up – even the difficult ones. Financial difficulties taught me to appreciate all that I have now – as I am also grateful that I get to have a new experience of prosperity. Mistakes have shaped who I am – it is all about soul’s growth as well after all.
5) I feel grateful to be blessed with a healthy body that has supported me in doing all of these physical endeavors I love so much and for every single breath that I take each day.
Love this post : ) It made me think of a book you might be interested in called “Be Here Now” By Baba Ram Dass. It helps keep thing in perspective. Here are a few things that make me smile and remind me to be here now:
1. The sky. It’s hard to remember to look up in our busy world. I love to take a walk in the country where all you see is blue (or stars) and try to understand where we are in relation to, well, everything.
2. My man. Every day we have together is precious. I can honestly say I NEVER take him for granted : )
3. Family. We are a tightknit unit so it’s unlikely to forget about them : )
4. Earth. Again, it’s so easy to forget that we are essentially flying through space on a chunk of rock…whoa. Keep doin your thing, Earth.
5. Life. It really is beautiful!
I wish I knew you personally, because you seem like a really glorious person. Your blogs brighten my days…and I look forward to being 5/7ths as bad ass as you are on a pole. (even though I’m currently rocking the 2/7ths i am now).
Also, i would like to know what kind of thermos that is because I kinda squee’d a little bit when I read about it.
1) Kitties.
2) My family.
3) Vegan marshmallows. (and, specifically Sara from Sweet & Sara)
4) pole dancing. (It has changed mine and my mother’s lives in so many wonderful ways)
5) Acceptance and love hiding all around you where you don’t expect it.
1. Friends who are nothing but supportive and tell me I can do ANYTHING!
2. My family for buying me the most practical gifts! (My mom got me a Swiffer for my birthday and I was too excited!)
3. My health, both mental and physical.
4. My kitty for being cuddly when I need it most.
5. Exclamation marks. They make everything more exciting!