My Heart is Full

I remain,

2011-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

** listening to Boyz II Men sing Motown
** loving how sunny and crisp it is today
** amazed at the pile I have created of Goodwill donations
** loving the way my red tshirt and green scarf look Christmasy
** appreciating the neighbors beautiful Christmas light displays
** loving creating envelopes out of magazine pages
** grateful for the ease of using public transportation in Portland
** loving that I am feeling more competent at my job
** reading Byron Katie over and over and over

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. ~Anne Lamott

Life is...

2011-09-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

** spending time at the beach with 9 members of my family
** holding my newest nephew and rocking him to sleep
** wearing dresses over pants
** wearing purple converse with striped laces
** making it through Oregon's few really hot days
** remembering how I wore sweaters in July July!
** giving and receiving massages and feeling myself relax
** the unexpected gift of seeing an old friend while waiting for a bus
** eating more salad and less Skittles

I remain,

2011-07-05T21:03:00.000-07:00

** loving how the wind at the beach whipped through my hair and made it stand straight up and look funky and I didn't even care because I was At the Beach
** wondering why I didn't choose to use sunscreen because it was really sunny at the beach and now my neck and arms are really red
** grateful that my friend and I share fondness for 80's music, treats from Sonic and a willingness to spend hours watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer
** really grateful I was able to find an adorable outfit for my newest nephew
** loving putting books on hold at the library and having them wait for me on the shelf...for free!
** loving not bending over backwards to try and make people feel comfortable
** realizing my idea of their comfort is probably very different from their idea of comfort and so it is a misuse of energy to worry it
** grateful that my spending seems to adjust to my discretionary income so effortlessly
** grateful that I had enough income to buy a beautiful scarf
** grateful that the scarf was 90% off regular price and includes some cashmere
** ready to get off the computer and into a book

Happiness is...

2011-07-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

** the opportunity to see all my grandparents this weekend
** the opportunity to enjoy some alone time this weekend
** being able to wake up at 5:30a without an alarm clock (although I always set it just-in-case!)
** checking out fat, hard-backed books from the library
** reading an entire book in an afternoon
** listening to classical music on commercial free radio
** welcoming a new nephew to the family
** feeling more comfortable and competent in my accounting work
** brainstorming on my weekday bus rides
** not going to a rodeo
** an overcast day following a very sunny day
** ebb and flow in many parts of my life

Loving what is...work edition

2011-05-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

** walking to the transit center at 6:10a each morning
** taking 2 bus rides to get to work by 8:00a
** walking to a coffee shop downtown between bus rides
** taking my lunch to work
** walking down the stairs instead of taking the elevator
** taking pages of notes as I learn new tasks
** walking to a park bench that overlooks the river
** taking 15 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon
** walking home from the transit center at 6:50p each evening

I remain,

2011-04-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

** blowing bubbles with Trident bubble gum
** delighted to see magnolia trees in bloom
** amazed at all the tv shows available on huluplus
** intending to see the Jefferson Dancers in May
** happy my aunt and I took time to make lunch an event...with candles! and cloth napkins!
** realizing how I limit my growth when I try to stifle the empowerment of those close to me
** laughing at two billboards located next to each other: 1 advertising Coke & 1 advertising how sugary soda is detrimental to your health
** delighted the weather is warm enough to go without a jacket
** surprising myself by greeting strangers on my walk this morning
** inspired by the vibrant colors of Spring flowers

Happiness is...

2011-04-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

** getting a haircut
** visiting 3 bakeries in one day...yum!
** wandering through Anthropologie with my sister
** seeing beautiful tulips
** waking up to sunshine
** Penelope's current project of 29 Gifts
** reading how to steal like an artist

Happiness is...

2011-03-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

** wearing grey nail polish
** going for walks with a friend
** wearing a shiny silver necklace
** spontaneously ordering hummus on my toasted bagel
** homemade chicken noodle soup
** sleeping deeply in a warm and quiet house
** an unexpected gift of flower seeds
** going for a drive on quiet roads and seeing horses, llamas, goats and cows

Happiness is...

2011-03-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

** listening to classical music
** seeing flowers and trees blossom
** reading the messages at Paulo Coelho's blog
** enjoying a spring break with my parents
** watching people bike, run and walk down quiet streets
** reading a Martha Grimes mystery
** making cookies
** eating cookies
** letting go of stressful stories

2011-02-24T10:02:00.000-08:00

Don't wish me happiness
I don't expect to be happy all the time...
It's gotten beyond that somehow.
Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor.
I will need them all.
* Anne Morrow Lindbergh (Gift from the Sea)

I remain,

2011-02-23T10:47:00.000-08:00

** thankful for 7.5 great hours of sleep
** thankful for 2 great cups of coffee
** thankful for 1 pair of amazing slippers
** working on creating a functional resume
** working on creating a set of cards
** working on creating a vision of myself as loveable
** hoping for a piece of unexpected and magical mail
** hoping for an affirming email out of the blue
** hoping for the courage to do my part to improve key relationships
** ready for an afternoon of slipping away to watch a movie and eat m&ms
** ready for a cute spring coat and some great tennis shoes
** ready to use up my boring forever stamps and buy some pretty ones

Happiness is...

2011-02-17T23:41:00.000-08:00

** watching a screaming toddler get off the bus (with her family)
** watching a girl at the bus stop eat her Taco Bell burrito with so much enthusiasm
** watching Modern Family with a friend
** stumbling on cute blogs
** refinding A Ritual for Letting Go
** reading Lessons from the Heart
** stumbling on even more cute blogs
** staying up late to listen to teleseminars

I remain,

2011-02-14T09:12:00.000-08:00

** grateful for a good night of sleep and lots of dreams
** looking forward to the Tapping World Summit
** grateful for time with my Grandma--having lunch at Burger King & laughing at this adorable dog
** pleased I mailed my Valentines almost on time!
** drooling over the photos in Veranda magazine
** enjoying all the hearts out in honor of Valentine's Day
** choosing to not eat homemade cinnamon rolls
** choosing to fit into my black pants
** excited that SARK's book, Glad No Matter What is on hold for me at the library

2011-02-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

self-portrait on a Thursday

The world is as a looking-glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.
Frown at it and it in turn will look sourly upon you; laugh at it and with it, and it is a jolly, kind companion.

-William Makepeace Thackeray

I remain,

2011-02-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

** happy I could spend time with 10 energetic children yesterday
** happy I had the opportunity to make pork curry this week
** loving the ability to listen to teleseminars on the web
** grateful for a chilly, grey day
** happy I finished crocheting my 2nd scarf
** grateful for libraries...wow I love mysteries!
** ready to send my valentines
** researching new hairstyles
** grateful for so many opportunities for connection
** craving creamy ice cream

Happiness is...

2011-02-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

** playing a game with my family
** spicy squash soup on a chilly afternoon
** noticing that my aunt's turquoise sweater matches the candles on the kitchen table perfectly
** plans to create Valentines with my sister
** walking in sunshine
** feeling supported by friends
** lists on minimalism
** Vivienne's 14 days of Self Love project
** re-finding Meghan's beautiful blog
** a shiny red mug of mint tea

Happiness is...

2011-01-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

** watching a prism twirl and sparkle in the breeze
** wearing a dress over pants that are a little tight
** the idea of a monthly box of beauty samples
** releasing relationships and making room for new connections
** reading in a recliner, covered by a blanket, with a cup of coffee at my side
** belly laughs
** taking a new bus route and seeing new parts of the city
** lists of inspiration on the web
** not ordering the cheapest thing on the menu
** a gift of delicious blackberry honey
** jen lee's podcasts
** an abundance of links on simplicity

Happiness is...

2011-01-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

** waking up to sunshine
** spending time with 4 feisty, funny, unique kids
** the smell of roasted garlic wafting through the house
** a new Fast Company magazine
** spontaneously offering help to a friend
** drinking water out of a turquoise cup
** gathering information for taxes
** a treat of an afternoon americano
** watching Outsourced with my sister
** posting such a large photo of my head (!)

Happiness is...

2011-01-24T21:03:00.000-08:00

** ticking things off my task list
** feeling overwhelmed by the number of emails in my inbox and then answering them one by one and feeling amazed at how quickly they were resolved
** de-cluttering my virtual life...consolidating email addresses, deleting usernames for accounts I thought were cool but never actually used, deleting photos on flickr that were only so-so
** collecting images to send to two new friends...trying to intuit what would touch their hearts in this new year
** falling asleep in a clean, cozy bed
** wearing really comfortable slippers all day
** making plans to see friends and family this week
** shredding old private papers
** watching the healing process as the skin on my finger revives after being burned on the stove
** receiving a wonderful hug from a friend
** brussel sprouts with dinner
** oreos after dinner

I remain,

2011-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

** happy I remembered to make birthday cards for 2 coworkers
** grateful for glitter glue
** enjoying looking at photos on my photoblog
** grateful for my camera
** listening to a teleseminar on "What does age have to do with anything"
** grateful for Club Fearless
** thinking about what to wear today
** grateful for access to thrift stores
** watching the rain come down
** grateful for use of a cute umbrella

Happiness is...

2011-01-16T19:43:00.000-08:00

** walking in a fine mist...umbrella-free
** reading Patricia Cornwell's newest mystery
** using a pocket calendar for the first time in 5 years
** rereading letters from friends and family
** dipping my pizza crust in honey
** gifting vintage photos to friends
** giving a friend a reiki treatment
** figuring what to take to work as a birthday treat
** learning I will have a new niece or nephew in June!
** getting rid of some tennis shoes I never liked
** participating in a month long mentoring program
** adding honey to my mug of hot chocolate
** looking at the beautiful photos in an old Gourmet magazine
** owning Release as my word for 2011
** connecting with old friends and making new friends

Views from June

2010-12-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

Caring for animals

2010-12-21T11:21:00.001-08:00

Of trees & tasting rooms

2010-12-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

Views from the first 1/2 of December

2010-12-13T15:24:00.000-08:00