Gratitude Friday

I haven't posted a Gratitude Friday post for a while, and I feel like it's high time. I definitely have a lot to be grateful for.

**Given the recent news coming out of Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia, I can't help but feeling incredibly grateful to be an American and for the freedoms I enjoy. I'm so grateful to live in a country that, despite our fair share of problems, has a democratic system that allows me to make my voice heard without fear of retribution. It also makes me so thankful that I gave myself the experience of serving in the Air Force, because I think it gave me a different understanding and deeper appreciation of the liberties we have in America.

**It's funny how, when you begin to take bold steps towards creating the life you want, The Universe seems to line circumstances up to support you on that path. I've been experiencing this phenomenon lately. I can't explain it, but I'm so grateful for it, anyway.

**This past week, I re-read some of my journal entries from last year at this time. It's amazing to me how differently I felt about so many things and how much happier and how much more at peace I am with myself, my values and my lifestyle now. I also can't help but be grateful that some of the things I wanted to happen then DIDN'T pan out and how those experiences helped me to grow, strengthened my sense of self, and helped me to more fully define what I DO want and need in my life. I guess I could sum all this up by saying how grateful I am for seeing the "Big Picture".

**You know how sometimes someone shows up in your life, and you just know they were supposed to be there and that you've known them on some level all along? Well, I have one of those people, and it just so happens to be her birthday today.
I'm so thankful for the person who continually lifts me up, who is one of the most honest people I know, who is a great example of being an engaged and present mother and wife, who gives of herself more than is ever expected, who has walked with me through some of the hardest things I have ever done, who busts out with the most random comments ever, who is one of the most talented people I know, and who is the only person in my entire life with whom I have stood on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts (that seems like a big deal for some reason). For my photo taking, hula-hooping, crepe-making, kick ass friend, G Love - I am so grateful!