a few simple things...

I am really making a conscious effort to slooooow down these days. To be present to all of the joy and beauty that surrounds me, the love that radiates from my heart and the creative impulses I am immersed in. Here are a few simple things I am ever so grateful for...
* writing my morning pages. When I miss a day, I can totally feel it!
* reading poetry aloud.
* my husband...his big and deep love  for me. I certainly would not be able to do all I do with out his complete support.
*taking a deep breath when I get agitated
*our morning walks...it really allows me to focus on the moment
* practicing gratitude
*National Breast Cancer Awareness month! Twenty five years ago, there were few resources for women with breast cancer...it wasn't even talked about openly. But now we have a whole month to raise awareness and money for this killer disease that I sincerely hope we can eradicate.
* photography
*Jane's plum jam (you just have to taste it!!)
*books
* watching Tara twirl around in her Halloween princess costume. She looks so beautiful and grown up it brought me to tears.
*all the creative energy and inspiration that has been bubbling out of me these many weeks.
*this very blogging community right here; your heart and warmth is felt deeply and sincerely and I am ever so grateful for you all.
* Dr. Estes! I am currently listening to her Dangerous Old Woman audio series and...I love her...pure and simple. I am grateful for her heart and her work and her deep wild soul that she so openly shares with us.
How about you? Are there a few simple things that make your heart sing? Your spirit soar?
**P.S. If you are over 40, please go and get your mammogram; I just had mine done on Sunday. If you are under 40 and suspect something, don't feel quite right or have a strong history of the disease in your family...then please, trust your intuition and go get checked out. NOW!!

a few simple gifts...

                               (the gorgeous tree in our backyard-blooming up a storm)
"I thank you God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes"
                                                                                e.e. cummings
Sometimes in life..things don't turn out the way we would like. There are disappointments, remorse, a heavy heart for things lost and broken...but in the midst of it all...life is grand. No really! There is a grandeur to our moments here. These past few days have been very emotionally difficult for me...there have been tears, heartache, frustration...but...Sometimes we really need to focus on what we have...rather than what we would like to have. It is in the appreciation of the now that life unfolds HER mystery to us. Here are a few simple gifts that I am ever so grateful for...

(this afternoon)

* big fat roses that are blooming everywhere around here
*bare feet in grass
*a hot cup of tea
*a blanket of stars
* little footsteps pitter-pattering
* SPRING...SHE'S HERE!!

(old Classico spaghetti sauce jars are perfect for brushes)

*beautiful messy paintbrushes
*authenticity
*books
*my Tim, my Tara...my family
*morning walks
*all of you...dear blog readers...those who comment and ...those who don't:)
*writing in my journal
*picnics
What are some of the things you are grateful for? Big or small...