Expressing gratitude regularly is something I’ve focussed on over the last few years. Moreso than previously, when I tended to focus on the negative.
Gratitude.
Gratitude has helped me change my thinking from glass half empty to glass half full (or full to the brim and spilling over!).
It has helped me to see through the darkness of my depression to focus on the good.
Expressing gratitude has also helped me to appreciate what I have and who is in my life.
Music
A few weeks ago, I lost all the music on my iPhone because I mistakenly ticked a box when synching.
It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t corrupted my external hard drive a few weeks before that and lost all of my music and a lifetime’s worth of digital photos…
Turning a shitty situation around, I’ve used it as an opportunity to delve into new music. However, ashamedly my favourite songs at the moment are from Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars (oh – and the new Foo Fighters album, of course!). What has happened to me?! I’m the grungy, alternative rock chick. Man, I’ve changed!
Some of the people I have known for a long time may be screwing their noses up at me as they read this or spitting out their coffee, but to be honest, I don’t care. I’m no longer the alternative snob I was (and I’m not saying any of you are), it’s just that I don’t care anymore what genre it is, what the song is, or who the artist is (unless we’re talking about Kanye…DON’T get me started on that man!). As far as I’m concerned, as long as the music makes my soul sing, I’m happy! I’d happily even splurge for a Backstreet Boys ticket if I could afford to!
Long-lasting friendships
With the arrival of my new book, Path to Wellness, I’ve used it as an opportunity to reconnect with old friends by attempting to hand-deliver some of them.
Last week I reconnected with the lovely Miss Simone, which left with feeling all warm, fuzzy, loved and sentimental.
I met Miss Simone when we both worked at a large Telecommunications company in the Project Team – me as a stressed-out, try-hard Project Manager, Simone as a Graduate exploring the company as part of the graduate program. Simone became an awesome Project Manager – against my dire warnings, and many years later, we are still connected.
Although we don’t see each other a lot these days – the last couple of years because I checked out to focus on D and getting myself well – we still giggle like school girls when we meet, swap war stories, discuss our common paths, and celebrate how young we both still look – an extra blessing since being a Project Manager can really wear you down!
I know the last few years have been hard for my old friends to understand as I’ve become so seemingly distant… but I am so grateful for you who have waited patiently for me to check back into life and who have supported me from afar for many years, be it via social media or in spirit. You are a blessing.
The easing of financial stress
Starting a business is hard, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
Sure, I got rid of a lot of stress, but financial stress was something I didn’t mentally prepare myself for. In hindsight, I should have saved some money before quitting my job, but then again – knowing myself better than anyone – if I’d stayed, I never would have started my own biz!
Anyhow, the last few weeks have seen my financial stress ease greatly as I’ve taken on a little part-time job to bring in a more stable income as I grow my business and take on clients who I connect with and who align with my values, as well as love projects. This also removes the pressure of selling my writing soul to make money. Something just wasn’t sitting well there for me, and I feel so much better now writing about things I love – for money, or not for money – and not things that are hard to write about, take me FOREVER, or are just bat-shit boring!
New friends
Ah, my new friends.
I’ve got new-new friends (i.e. friendships that are months old), I’ve got ‘new’ friends (friendships that are 1-3 years old), and then there are my new online friends (we’ve never met but we connect on such an amazing level). You are all amazing and came into my life during a period of great turmoil and personal growth and change. You know and love the new me, and you know of the old me through the stories I share and my blog. Pretty much all of you are in disbelief that I used to be very negative and quiet as a mouse introvert with depression and anxiety…gee, I can’t express how thankful I am for you.
Dreams
I have had the most amazing dreams ever since I ‘quit my day job’.
Sure, last night I dreamt about washing dishes and clothes, but I was rocking that washing! Other than that, my dreams have involved snakes and spiders (in which I have physically kicked D in bed because I was kicking those darn spiders!), my teeth falling out, a visit from my Gran Ripper – who was happy and her house on the farm was filled with light (that never really happened in life), adventures, travel, me being a spy, a vampire, a vamps lover, a biker chick, an agent, and old-world damsel…seriously, someone needs to invent something to record dreams because my dreams would be best-sellers! I certainly can’t capture them when I wake up. I just know they are good because I want to keep dreaming!
Dreams coming true
I’m a published author.
I’m still pinching myself but am slowly starting to believe it. My friends – new and old, as well as my family, are helping with that. Their excitement is contagious. Oh, and then there’s the WORLDWIDE release of Heart to Heart: The Path to Wellness scheduled for 26 February 2015. OMFG! I am SOOOO not writing like a published author in this post!
Family
You guys rock.
We’ve had a hard life. All of us. We’ve all been through more shit than most families, but we are survivors and deserve good things. We just have to believe in ourselves and disregard the naysayers – because there are always bloody naysayers! I love you.
Good health
So many people around us suffer serious illnesses such as cancer – which is scary.
I’m thankful for good health, and when thinking of others dismiss my fatigue and stomach issues. They pale in comparison.
What are you grateful for this week?
P.S. I make gratitude a regular habit. Check out some of my other posts:
