Gratitude Friday

A while ago, I began to use Friday blog posts as a way to take time out of my schedule and reflect on the many things I am grateful for in my life. It's been a while since I did this, so I thought I needed to get back into the practice.

First, I am so incredibly grateful for the past weekend at Squam. I met so many amazing people who are serving as terrific inspiration to fuel my creative endeavors. I can already see huge leaps in my writing and I am so lucky to have had the chance to attend this amazing event.

Second, I must offer up thanks to my amazing mother, who stepped in and took over child care duties when my other plans didn't work out so well. My wonderful sister was going to come into town to keep Riley, but her pregnancy with twins (!!) made it more important for her to stay put and see her doctor and take care of herself. Riley had a BALL with grandma, came back spoiled rotten, and learned to say "uh-uh" (great, huh?). Thanks mom! Love you!

Third, I am grateful to have some new direction and goals to work towards. Some of these are related to my writing, some are working to realize some long-held ambitions, and some are just things I want/need to do for myself. I'm a very goal oriented person, so I'm very grateful to have some new plans for myself.

Finally, I must acknowledge the new energy that I seem to have found, and be grateful for it. If you read back a few posts ago, you know that I have been feeling a littel out of sorts and on edge, and not really certain why or what to do about it. I felt like I needed some change but unable to figure out how or where. After exploring those feelings and reflecting on what they could mean, I talked to my absolutely amazing friend, Stormy, about how I was doing and what those feelings meant. Stormy, in her open, loving, honest way gave me some good advice, offered some perceptive and accurate insight, and then talked me through some of the emotions. This, plus some time away from my "real life" really helped me to sort out what I was feeling and how to deal.

As usual, once I start counting the good things in my life, I find it hard to stop. But I have things to do and places to go, so this is it for today. I am truly blessed. I am grateful.