From Jul 24, 2009

I’ve been saying this for about a year now: contrast makes the good things even more beautiful.
It was said again today by a man I have quickly grown to respect, whose words I cherish listening to on the long drives to and from work.  It was said that in order move to a higher spiritual level of energy, one must first fall.

On so many levels, I understand this as truth.  You cannot really appreciate the beauty and joy and awe in your life until you’ve witnessed pain and devastation.  I believe that without one, the other is indefinable.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you want to remain in a free-falling state forever.  That simply will not do… but you can absolutely take the difficult parts of life, transforming them into an invaluable lesson, and become the next best you that you can be.

I want to unwrap this concept a little futher.  I don’t know that I will have the time to do this at the moment.  But I will.  I will.

From Dec 18, 2008

I have been hearing of many peoples’ troubles lately.

And it makes me realize how absolutely stellar my life is!

I have the most amazing relationship!  Landon & I get along PERFECTLY!  We don’t argue, and we always treat each other beautifully and with the utmost respect.

I LOVE my job!

Money comes easily and frequently!

And dammit, I’m smart!

From Nov 27, 2008

l might be the most blessed person I know.

From Nov 26, 2008

The time may be dawning that I give up my addiction to the news.

Tonight, I read the news and found it utterly depressing.  Senseless acts of violence directed at Western tourists in India… it’s just senseless.

For the longest time I considered humans to be basically good.

Unfortunately, though, I don’t think that’s the case anymore.  Unfortunately, I think my beliefs have changed, and I don’t know that I necessarily believe that people are always generally good.

Sometimes, people aren’t good.  Sometimes they’re basically evil. Not all people. Just some.  And those are the kind of people who would find it appropriate to go out and murder innocent people they don’t know because of their own personal ignorance.  Their hate runs thick.  And violence is the only answer to that sort of evil.

I’m thankful that people like that aren’t the norm.

I’m thankful that people who instigate fear and terror in the public’s mind are only few in comparison to those who are basically good.

Man, how depressing.

From Nov 23, 2008

For the good things in my life.

For my wonderful, loving, intelligent, sassy, big-hearted, deep-emotioned, logical, rational-minded, thoughtful, awesome, best friend and boyfriend.

For my home that’s filled with all of the things I love: books, plants, warmth, and love.

For the safety of my home.

For the two affectionate dogs who guard it.

For the kids who paint our walls with laughter.

For the sound of silence.

For the sound of a dishwasher that runs, a fish tank that bubbles, and a dryer that dries.

For my new washing machine.

For this laptop– my lifeline.

For the most rewarding and fulfilling and perfect-for-where-I’m-going job that gives me raises several times a year.

For a family that adores me, is proud of me, and for my guy’s family who loves me, too.

For clean water to drink.

For healthful, satiating food every day.

For grocery stores being open at convenient hours– technically all hours.

For time to blog.

For my ability to learn anything I am taught.

For not having to take Organic Chemistry again.

For my guy’s help in getting my blog all situated.

For warm clean blankets.

For being able to pay the electric bill.

For being able to pay all of our bills.

For the kids’ abilities to put things into perspective.

For the kids’ health.

For the kids’ happiness and intelligence.

For my kitten’s undying love for me.  Yes, it’s love, not just scenting.

For a car that runs well.

For a calm home.

For friends that listen.

For friends that entertain me.

For friends who GET me even if we’re different.

For the most fabulous neighbors, who are also best friends.

For remodeled bathrooms.

For a house filled with books.

For good coffee on the weekends.

For restful sleep every day.

For my freedom of speech.

For having been born in this country.

For being a woman.

For being able to choose the career I want.

For being taught as a child that I can be anything I desire when I grow up.

For having the independence to go against the norm and still be just fine as I am.

For the dog not eating the kitten.  Yet.

For being fortunate to have been raised and to live in the sun-shiney-est state in the US.

For having my own opinions, thoughts, and perspectives.

For having learned that I create this.