100 Days of Gratitude - DAY 100

It is day 100. I think when I started this project, 100 days ago, I was sitting right here on the far left corner of my bed typing on this laptop. What has changed? Well, the color of my room, for one. It used to be pink and now it's purple. Most notably my body has healed. I went from barely being able to move without pain to an acrobatic yoga class last week. I still don't have a "job", but I am doing things each day that I feel good about. Brunch Club was born and with the help of my amazing community I have been able to positively impact lives. I have made some really great new friends and my circle has expanded. I have started to facilitate a women's circle in my home and it's been wonderful. I have gone through this journey with my great aunt Edie, who has also done 100 days of gratitude. I have met one of my heroes, Gabrielle Bernstein. I have grown closer to my niece. I have forgiven and let go of some people. I have cried of a broken heart. I have been euphoric in joy over love. I have been sick, healthy, happy, sad, and everything in between. I have lived 100 days of life and in each one found at least 10 things to be grateful for. And I'm grateful to you all for taking this journey with me. Thank you.

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I am grateful...

1. That I kept the commitment to myself to complete this 100 days of recording my gratitude.
2. To each person that has come into my life during this time, like Adam, who came over tonight with medicine because he knew I was feeling sick, and took me to Whole Foods to get groceries because he knew I had nothing in the house. Like Viviana and Lisa who I didn't know until a couple months ago and now bring so much love into my life.
3. For Derby Blue, who probably got the most shout outs on all these lists. Who has been a loyal and loving furry friend to me for 7.5 years. 
4. To my inner guide, my higher power, the spirit guiding me constantly. 
5. For friends who have continued to be a source of joy, love, and support in my life. For Aliah, who I am so grateful to be able to grow with along our respective paths even though we are so far apart. For Kellie, who has been an awesome companion to live with and learn with. 
6. For the vast knowledge held by the universe and the access to it. For all the books and articles I've read and the information I have learned, day after day. That because of this and constant new experiences I am able to learn and expand my mind every day.
7. For the love and support of my family, and connections I've been able to create again, like with my cousin who I hadn't seen in years. For his sobriety and his doing so well. For each moment I get to spend with my niece and nephew. For hugs from my mom and smiles from my dad. 
8. For Brunch Club, everyone involved in it and their generosity with time, money, and hearts. For everything it has done for each person involved in any way and for everyone willing to help. 
9. For Jamie. In loving him I have learned about forgiveness, and letting go, and what I really want in a partner. For the way I feel when he looks at me. 
10. For love. Whether I feel it from Earl, the homeless guy who sleeps by the bank near my house, or in long loving hugs from Kellie or Jamie or in Adam coming over to bring me medicine, I feel love in all the ways it is offered and there is nothing more warming, more beautiful, or that gives me more life than love. For that and everyone who brings it I am eternally grateful.   

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 84

I am grateful...

1. That somehow I got out of bed even though I was frozen when I woke up. I forced myself to get up and walk through the frigid forest into the bathroom to take a shower. 
2. That I ran through the forest in a towel on the way back to my cabin even though it was cold; I kept a smile on my face and said good morning to each person I came across who was looking at me like a crazy person.
3. For a really yummy breakfast of organic oatmeal and tea that warmed me right up. 
4. For a half day with my guru, Gabby. What a pleasure.
5. For bikini Kundalini. It was hard as hell and my body wanted to shut down, but I survived. 
6. That my guru was so touched by the energy and love we all brought that she cried while saying goodbye to us.
7. For a healing circle that gave me an opportunity to send light to my loved ones.
8. For the best falafels I've ever had.
9. That something I saw in a meditation yesterday actually made sense today when Aliah read my tarot cards.
10. That I am able to spend the day and night with my beautiful and amazing best friend!
11. For my dad, who has given me anything and everything I have ever thought to need from a father. 

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100 Days of Gratitude - Day 81

I am grateful...

1. That Kellie drove me to the airport and saw me off with love!
2. To the awesome woman who sold me a breakfast sandwich, had great eye makeup, and told me a trick about water at the airport. 
3. That when I was having a moment of feeling low I looked to a really loving note from a friend and felt warmth.
4. That I was able to sleep for an hour on the airplane, which is rare.
5. For window seats and good plane neighbors. 
6. That Ryan opened his home to me and is being "nicer than I am to most people" to me.
7. For Gabrielle Bernstein's book Spirit Junkie, which kept me company and kept me centered.
8. To be back in New York City.
9. To eat dinner at 9:30 outside and watch the city go by in all its dramatic flair. 
10. For an amazing playlist and a makeshift solo flow on Ryan's floor. 

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 79

I am grateful...

1. For stretchy pants, because I have been a bottomless pit for the past few days and I feel like a whale.
2. For the luxury of an afternoon nap.
3. For my new rug.
4. For each woman who showed up to tonight's circle and brought their lovely authentic selves.
5. For a pre-circle meditation that brought me out of my ego funk and put me into a loving state that allowed me to lead the circle. 
6. For Kellie, who didn't have time to learn a moon salutation to lead tonight but did it anyway, and did it well.
7. For Lisa, who had a 14 hour day and still showed up and was present and mindful in circle.
8. To be able to have a home big enough to facilitate a circle comfortably. 
9. For the way the room glowed in soft candlelight. 
10. For Gabby Bernstein, and the inspiration she has brought to my life. 

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 45

I am grateful...

1. And very excited that I will be attending a retreat with my guru next month!
2. That in addition to this retreat I will be spending some time with people I love and don't get to see enough in New York.
3. To my parents for always supporting my heart's desires. 
4. That my sister wants to be there for what I'm going through. 
5. That the fire alarm in my building today was false, but I still got to walk down 20 floors and get a bit of exercise after I ate lunch. 
6. To myself for choosing to paint and listen to a lecture instead of have a drink and watch a movie. 
7. To Gabrielle Bernstein for being a constant source of inspiration.
8. To be reminded to take things moment by moment.
9. That I found a towering stack of pennies on a walk.
10. For a perfect afternoon nap.  

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 43

I am grateful...

1. That my sinus situation is better today than it was yesterday.
2. That I lost another pound and I am only 4 away from my ideal weight.
3. That if I had to talk to the New York State Tax Department, I got a very sweet woman on the phone.
4. For Derby Blue.
5. For a delicious and super healthy veggie burger.
6. That I stumbled upon a recorded diary entry from when I was 22 and got to hear how much I've changed and grown since then. I'm much more centered at 30.
7. That my parents arrived safely in Budapest.
8. To myself for resisting the urge to take a nap today when I really wanted to. 
9. For an awesome Ashtanga Vinyasa class that both kicked my ass physically and forced me to open up to what's going on in my head.
10. That I'm sitting in my living room with the balcony door open and the fresh night air is streaming in. 

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 23

1. Flowering purple trees in my neighborhood
2. A great morning meditation followed by writing 
3. A morning walk with Derby Blue
4. Red and purple roses that smell amazing
5. Spending some quality time alone with my brother
6. Having a meal with my family
7. Help from my dad
8. A phone call with my best friend
9. My mom's laughter and smiles when she opened the gift I gave her
10. SiennaJane
11. Thoughtful advice from good friends
12. Feeling that I know am guided
13. Being actively true to myself 
14. Open communication with an important person
15. Getting things off my chest
16. A book opening to the perfect page 
17. Arielle Ford and the Art of Love
18. Gabby Bernstein 
19. Katherine Woodward Thomas
20. That I took the time to read through my journal from last year at this time and was able to witness and appreciate how far I've come...and then realize there is more work to be done
21. A great evening meditation