Gratitude Soup

Do you ever have those days where you focus entirely too much on what’s missing in your life?  I think we all do. I am 100% guilty as charged more than ever lately.  Last night I was out running, most likely pondering something that’s missing, and then rapper T.I said these words into my earbuds: “Stop Looking At What You Ain’t Got And Start Being Thankful For What You Do Got.” (So Live Your Life – hey! – aye aye aye aye aye aye). Yeah, you know the one.

And I said WORD, T.I….Word.

I’ve been spending so much time focusing on what’s missing in my life, that I’ve got a big ole stewing pot of negativity soup brewing. I keep adding things to that pot and it’s boiling and steaming and fogging up my vision. I’m making it extremely hard for myself to see all the awesomeness that I DO have in my life.

Time for a gratitude overhaul.

Here’s what I DO have goin’ on and it’s a whole lotta LOVE. I’m gonna stir that pot.

I am grateful for family and friends – near and far, old and new – for listening and loving unconditionally, for making me laugh, letting me cry, putting a glass of wine in front of me, sweating up a mountain with me, reminding me that I am brave and tough as nails, and that everything happens for a reason.

 

I am grateful for pictures like this sent to me by my sister, that make me laugh out loud and remind me that most of the time life is too important to be taken seriously.

Yeah, that’s my mother dearest.

And that is my sister’s hairy firework of a mullet that was famously tweeted by Ellen last year for her “Bad Paid For Photos” segment. True Story.

 

I am grateful for the big, beautiful turquoise ocean steps from my door. For swim, surf, and paddle sessions with friends in the sunshine. For turtles popping up beside us and making us giddy like kids.

I am grateful for North Shore days, whales breaching on the horizon, Wailua Wheat, bocce ball, and beach bonfires under the stars.

I am grateful for salty hair, sandy feet, sunkissed skin and heavy eyelids after a hard day of playing.

I am grateful for yoga classes, deep breaths and the reminder to ‘allow it, don’t force it.’

 

I am grateful for the sweet cashier who made me smile today when she said she was gonna remember my name and write it on the board in the back in case I “make it big like that Harry Potter author one day.” Never underestimate the ability of a stranger to make your day and boost your confidence!

I am grateful for To-Do Lists and Bucket Lists and Goal Lists and a genuine excitement for all that is to come.

I am grateful for time, space, uncertainty and heartache, to give me perspective and remind me that I am alive and human, that I take risks, that in the end the most important love of all, is the love I have for myself. It’s all part of the beautiful journey.

I am grateful for hope.

And finally, I am grateful for Zac Brown and his magical voice that fills my ears and heart with happiness. If you’re ever going to cruise around Hawaii, I highly suggest his album “The Foundation” as your soundtrack. On that note, I’ll share his song called “Whatever it is” that until a few weeks ago, I thought was about Deviled Eggs. Seriously. Listen to it. The line: “Cause every time I try and tell her how I feel, it comes out ‘I love you’ You got whatever it is.” Tell me that  “You got whatever it is” doesn’t sound like he’s saying “You got my deviled eggs.”

 

Right?! 🙂

(Ok,wait. That version sounds like “whatever it is.” The song on the CD is definitely “Deviled Eggs.” )