Let's cut to the chase

Life is amazing.  We are all handed the same gift...just packaged differently. We take our existence's and conveniently label them: rich, poor, healthy, sick, happy, unhappy, lucky, unlucky, beautiful, not so beautiful. Instead, why not just say thank you and open ourselves to the abundance that life has to offer. We have the ability to open the door...

I'm grateful that I've opened the door ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I can think, decide, create, speak and do ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I can witness awesome works of nature ... like a rainbow ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I can take care of myself ... and others ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I can learn something new everyday ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I can dream ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I have a family ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I live in a safe country ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful for all the men and women who put their lives on the line for our freedom ... Thank you :)
I'm grateful that I can wander through my vast beautiful world ... Thank you :)

Believe you can ...

and you will.

Stay focused. Hold on to those beliefs and expect great things to happen.. and then, be grateful.

Appreciate, appreciate, appreciate...

For the butterflies ... a beautiful reminder of the wondrous colours in our world ... Thank you :)

For the roof over our heads ... home ... Thank you :)

For the privilege to choose ... every moment ... Thank you :)

For rainforests ... and every living thing in it ... Thank you :)

For all the inquisitive minds ... and all the things they discover and teach us ... Thank you :)

For the gift of sight ... Thank you :)

For the brilliant inventions ... from creative, brilliant, courageous people ... Thank you :)

For the taste of watermelon on a hot day ... refreshing, delicious ... Thank you  :)

For Niagara Falls ... awesome ... Thank you :)

Things that go bump in ...

my head.

Yup, being human can be precarious at times.  You ride that positive high striving for those dreams, dodging things that try to bring you down...and then one day..you're finding that the hits are more than you can handle. So what do you do? Stop, Ask, Listen and Remember to Remember.  It's a feat that at the time seems insurmountable, but as you talk yourself through it, the edges start to soften and before you realize it, you're back in that zone.  A little battered and bruised, but ready to give it another go.

It's not easy. It takes time; and boy do you have to have a lot of patience, resilience and faith.

We've all 'been there' and 'done that' so no use in expecting that we are above challenges, disappointments and hurt. It is though about what you do about it, because life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.

So to the universe I say, thank you...

For listening ... I know I will receive... Thank you :)

For answering ... giving me the encouragement to continue ... Thank you :)

For this wondrous, wondrous world ... priceless ... Thank you :)

For the little voice in my head ... connected to the bigger voice ... Thank you :)

For the moments of enlightenment ... and knowing I will have more ... Thank you :)

For those humbling moments ... Thank you :)

For courage ... to face things I fear ... Thank you :)

For being able to dream ... and realize those dreams ... Thank you :)

Lessons Learned

I have skeletons in my closet ... or what I'd rather refer to as gems.

Once upon a time, when I was knee deep in a situation or facing difficult decisions I found it hard to understand those words of wisdom 'time will heal all wounds' or 'it gets worse before it gets better.' Now, I get it.  I've learned countless lessons in my life. Armed with experience and knowledge, I have a different approach.

Rather than fight it, I embrace it.
Rather than question it, I trust it.
Rather than delve in self pity, I welcome the opportunity to get stronger.

Where does it all come from? Perspective...and at the core is gratitude.

I'm so thankful everyday for so many things, and I am grateful that I can express them...everyday.

For the 'information highway'...which enables me to connect with people globally. Thank you :)

For doing what I love ... writing, creating, sharing.. making a difference.  Thank you :)

For brunch with my family ... laughing, being together, loving each other.  Thank you :)

For my little god daughter ... at a tender age of 5, she has the secret of life .. laughter and loving every second. Thank you :)

For air conditioning ... Thank you :)

For banana popsicles ... delicious, refreshing.  Thank you :)

For being able to walk ... anytime, anywhere ... everywhere! Thank you :)

For getting the courage to face my fear of heights ... and water.  Baby steps.  Thank you :)

For lessons learned ... Thank you :)