Weekend Gratitude || 11.3.14

|| And the Party Never Stops||

My birthday weekend in a word -- awesome. Lying in bed eating chocolate for breakfast, dancing until the clock turns and a bus full of strangers sing you Happy Birthday, gifts wrapped in paper towels, and skyping with my momma -- couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend to end my teens and start my twenties. Such a shock -- ending my age in a -ty rather than -teen ... I've had the same ending for the last seven years of my life! What ... change is difficult : - ) . I've never felt so relaxed being myself before. Does that make sense? Just not letting others get in the way... it seems easier now, even though it's only been a few days of this new age. It's as if being a teen gives little authority. Anyone else feel that way about a different age? I'll be writing more about this over the course of the week -- I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I'll be working on making up work, holding meetings, staying calm, and loving on my friends because of how supportive they have been lately. And then I'll be graduating this weekend from my yoga teacher training ... wow -- 8 months already! What are you up to this week?
I'd love to hear how you all are doing. How was everyone's weekend?

|| GRATITUDE ||

I am grateful for friends that have become family. I am grateful for bright water bottles that make me excited to drink water. I am grateful for road trips and heated cars. I am grateful for messages of love and hope and inspiration. I am grateful for Gilmore Girls. I am grateful for my own company. I am grateful for life, for aging, for being one hundred percent real. I am grateful for all this and more -- overflowing really -- there isn't enough room.

What are you grateful for?

xxoo

[weekend snapshots by emily friend]

Contemplative Gratitude || 10.20.14

|| Last Monday of October||

My weekend was spent alone, sharing my time with my computer, my bed, a brisk walk on Saturday morning. I recipe tested for you all this week -- not as satisfied as I wish, but sharing with you none the less. I spent a lot of time writing and thinking, though. I think some weekends need to be about that kind of solitude -- just connecting with yourself until it clicks and you realize something needs slight tweaking or a huge overhaul.

Two exams this week, meetings, and activities galore... is it Friday yet? Juuustt kidding... don't wish your life away. I'd love to hear how you all are doing. How was everyone's weekend?

|| GRATITUDE ||

I am grateful for peace and quiet. I am grateful for binge watching TV. I am grateful for writing and crumpling it up, not pressing the delete button. I am grateful for patience, for I feel I need some more, but I'm sure I have enough. I am grateful for memories as long as they don't keep me stuck in the past. I am grateful for time alone, for one day I won't feel so lonely. I am grateful for life, for the use of my limbs, and for all around me that is available. I am grateful for the stars, the moon, and the sun, for at least they are consistent.

What are you grateful for?

xxoo

[weekend snapshots by emily friend]

Contemplative Gratitude || 10.20.14

|| Monday Madness? ||

The fact that it is the 20th of October already sends shivers down my spine. How has the year flown by so quickly? What have I done this year? What am I going to do? What all have I accomplished as I near my birthday? It is humbling the way time passes -- so quickly if unappreciated and so deliciously paced when tapped into and harnessed. I wish for more of a slow down. More time to savor the way the fall leaves are changing and dropping, making walking beautiful and breezes content. I wish to savor each sip of my morning coffee rather than gulp it down on my way to class. I wish to savor these last days of blue skies before my need to hibernate becomes all to clear. I wish to savor what this season ignites in my heart and makes me question why's and how's and what if's.

This past weekend was so lovely. It was the first breath of fresh air I have taken in a long time. The kind of breath that goes all the way down to your toes and exhales in perfect harmony. I need more of those breaths. Everyone does. I'm not happy being back here in this place away from home. That is most certainly what it feels like. Just a place. But I will find a way around this, making it work to my desires and dreams.

This post, far more contemplative than intended speaks volumes to where my head has been these last months. What is it like to follow your dreams from a young age? Where are the role models who said 'stop' in their teens and learned to follow their truths and their passions? I need them more than ever right now.

Contemplative Monday... anyone else having one of those? How was everyone's weekend?

|| GRATITUDE ||

I am grateful for dogs filled with soul and heart. I am grateful for chips and salsa and humus. I am grateful for books for pleasure. I am grateful for unplugging my phone and really being present in my weekend. I am grateful for trips and new places. I am grateful for hopes and dreams and realizations. I am grateful for plans and lists. I am grateful for motivation. I am grateful for new things to add and old things to subtract. I am grateful for acceptance and appreciation. I am grateful for the now, for I am in it and trying my best to treasure it's moments.

What are you grateful for?

xxoo

[weekend snapshots by emily friend + wedding flowers]