Thanksgivings

Expressing gratitude for the blessings in one’s life seems to often be reserved for today—Thanksgiving. Reflecting on your gratitude for the people in your life, the experiences you have, the opportunities presented to you, and the strength you discover during difficult times, is important the whole year through. As you may know, I enjoy expressing how I feel sometimes through quotations. So here is a list of quotations to bring you back to gratitude not just for today, but for every day.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. – John F. Kennedy

The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes.  It has enough lush forests, flowered fields and sandy beaches.  It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day.  What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it. – Michael Josephson

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. – Thornton Wilder

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. – William Arthur Ward

You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you. – Sarah Ban Breathnach

Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live. – Jacqueline Winspear

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some. – Charles Dickens

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. – Buddha

Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good, even in unpleasant situations. Start bringing gratitude to your experiences, instead of waiting for a positive experience in order to feel grateful. – Marelisa Fábrega

"The process of letting go is like taking a journey to the center of your being."

In my yoga class this evening, my teacher started off the class by asking us to just give it up. Give up struggles, frustrations, and difficulties in life and in our yoga practices. Not in the sense of defeat, but in giving it up to the greater spirit, energy, God, the greater being, the greater light...whatever it is you believe. Just release all of that to above. If a yoga pose is too difficult, so what? Give it up. Release and let it go. Rather than succumbing to the difficulty, acknowledge it and set it free.

I for one have always wanted to move through tough times to the light ahead as quickly as possible and with all of my strength. But to acknowledge what is not so right in one's life and not let it hold you back in any way...that takes practice. So what? It's just one yoga pose that I can't do very well. It is one bad day. Or one bad week. Whatever it is...just release it and free yourself from it.

The more I practice, write, think, or talk about ideas such as this I feel more centered and more able to just let it go and accept that sometimes life, or yoga, is not exactly what we wish it were at that moment. And the more I am able to understand my absolute favorite quote: "Make of yourself a light." Accept, and be glad that you have the strength to not dwell in darkness in whatever form it may take. Just give it  up. 

"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."

I found out a few days ago that one of the friends I had in Portland while I was growing up was killed in a helicopter crash during a training run. He was a pilot in the Coast Guard. My memory of him is that he was an absolutely hilarious individual, an athlete, a solid friend and genuine person. I hadn't seen him since I left Portland when I was 14, but he, like many of my other friends and classmates in elementary and middle school, will always be close to my heart. It's strange how it has been 11 years since I've spent time with him, yet knowing I will never have the chance to see him again, is heartbreaking. How can a 25 year-old die in a routine training flight? That is not fair. The deaths of individuals particularly before their time is heartbreaking. So many days ahead that he'll never see. So many memories and goals that will never be actualized. I feel sick. It has also been about a year since the passing of our close friend and neighbor, and I am still sick over that. I don't do well with accepting these deaths. I don't deal well with sadness; it overcomes me and makes me angry for the life taken that was not ready to go. I hate that with all the grief comes an appreciation for life, for the little things, for holding onto love and the good stuff wherever you may find it. Why do I have this chance, and they don't any longer? The point is, as is evident in so many of life's difficult "lessons," that this is your opportunity, your chance, your moment. Why would you ever live a life that makes you unhappy? Fear of failure? Fear of judgment? Would you be fulfilled if you died tomorrow? Could you say that you lived your life to its fullest? That you took advantage of those sunrises and beautiful moments that others never will have the privilege of experience? Stop waiting for life to happen. This is it.

"If we are not ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything"

Amongst the chaos of life's commitments, responsibilities, and tasks, are days like today. Sleeping in, hot coffee, and a morning hike with a good friend. And hours and hours of unplanned, free time during a beautiful January day. Days like today I do a lot of reflecting. I read a lot. I listen to music that makes me feel good, and I think about the blessings I have in my life that allow for days like today to exist. I don't spend today wishing for more days like these, but I am grateful for the moments up interrupted relaxation and introspection before tomorrow the responsibilities resume. 

Our moments to ourselves are precious, fleeting, and worth unmeasurable amounts of whatever could possibly be traded. And as much as I love days like these, I also love the days when I am so busy with the weight of school and work that I forget what days like these feel like. My point is...we must soak up the process of living in the moment and recognizing our gratitude for days of chaos and days of peace. 

Peace...it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

I have recently had the unfortunate experience of feeling disrespected, used, and hurt by someone who I had previously felt close to and cared for. As is par for the course in life, sometimes people will let us down and sometimes we also let people down. I feel like I am conscious of how my actions affect others, and now I feel even more so compelled to ensure that I am not hurting people unconsciously...or consciously. I value honesty and openness as crucial and desirable qualities in myself and in others, and failure to utilize these qualities in our lives can consequently negatively impact those close to us.

Without going into details, I have had many conversations with friends and family about this particular disappointment and blow to the ego. I have also found a sense of strength and enlightenment as a result of this particular experience. I reconnect with the realization that I have so much power and ability to decide how my story will continue. While I have no ability to change someone's actions or words, and no way to change the past or decisions that I made, I can let it go and move forward. I refuse to be reduced by any challenge of any sort, but I am determined to grow from it and let it strengthen me. I cannot control a lot of things in life, but I can control my attitude and my state of mind. I have too many blessings in my life to feel dragged down by one occurrence, by one person. I thank God for my independence and for my security with who I am and what I value. I realize I can to some extent write my own story day to day just by the way that I look at the world and by putting love and positivity above all else.

Thank you to all of those who inspire me by letting light and love guide their way regardless of circumstance, and who have peace in their hearts.

Make of Yourself a Light.

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you"

Solitude: A poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air;
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go;
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you lose them all,--
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life's gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
For there is room in the halls of pleasure
For a large and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

During my two year hiatus from formal education, most of my time was spent socializing and working in food service. I lived pretty carefree and had my share of fun. I look back at the friends that I made, the part-time job I worked, and the freedom that I felt and I am grateful for those two years. I changed a lot. I learned a lot about myself, and I made lasting friendships. There is not a moment of that time that I regret, yet I look back on it all very fondly.

Now I am five weeks into my first quarter of graduate school in Higher Education Counseling & Guidance. I'm currently working part-time, trying to squeeze in yoga here and there, and balancing somewhat of a social life with classes and class work. I'm busier than I've ever been. But I realize that I am happier, too. Studying and engaging as a Student Affairs professional suits me incredibly well. I have found what inspires me, and makes me feel alive. I have just scratched the surface, but I recognize that I have found my niche. I have so much gratitude for the experiences that have helped me find this path. This was not a plan from the beginning, and I have met my share of challenges that have forced me to really think about what I want and who I am. I am mostly grateful for the people in my life who have encouraged and supported me, and who continue along this journey with me. I can't wait to see what happens next...

:)