Out of a great need to reorient my own focus away from what is missing and onto that which is present and good, I decided to start a 'Thirty Days of Gratitude' journal. Through sharing it on my Instagram and blog page, the intention is to hold myself accountable for remembering each and every day to practice presence and gratitude. In (hopefully) keeping this up for the next thirty days, my goal is to make this a more routine practice in my life and one that will continue beyond this short period of time. All are welcome and invited to join in & share if you feel inclined:) Tag your post with #thirtydaysofgratitude so that we might all support and motivate one another<3 Day 1: I am grateful for the privilege of living by the ocean on the beautiful Southern California coast for the past (almost) three years of my life. Shortly before my 28th birthday, after living most of my life in western NY and a year in Charlotte NC, I left behind most of my amazingly wonderful/truly awesome family & friends and everything that was familiar and comfortable to me-- a pretty great life actually-- to live in the sunshine and chase California dreams, to "find myself" amongst the palm trees and beach towns and overcrowded freeways of Orange County & L.A. Nearly three years later, after many beautiful adventures, new friends, new love, many profound life lessons, numerous triumphs and failures, very happy days and horribly homesick days, some of the best days of my life and some of the lowest and loneliest-- after all this, I've come to understand that it's not about "finding myself", but rather it's about finding a way to let go of the notion of seeking out happiness or looking for anything at all really; and instead just being here now, being truly present and being the best person we can for ourselves and those around us. It is much easier said than done and I am not sure if I'll ever fully get to that place. But this much I am sure of: In my short time here on the coast of California, I have learned and grown so much more than I ever could have imagined. And in my time here I have spent so many hours on the shore looking out over the Pacific Ocean in sheer and utter awe. I have taken in the unreal (yet very real) reds & golds, oranges & purples of countless breathtaking ocean sunsets. And each and every time I go to the water, I am transformed in a way. Even on my most challenging or disappointing days I can go to the water, and all my troubles, all my fears and doubts almost instantly become microscopic. And in that moment I feel connected to the world, and to the people I know to be on the other side of that ocean-- looking out over the same water just as I am-- each living and loving and struggling, each traveling their own journey through this crazy thing called life. And I feel as if I am a unique and integral part of that moment in time. In that moment I fit perfectly into my place in the universe. In that moment I am free and at peace. I am home. I am loved. I am safe. I am full of life. In that moment, I am so thankful. #thirtydaysofgratitude #gratitude #presence #thankful #yoga #yogis #yogaeverydamnday #yogainspace #dailysoul #california #ocean #littlesliceofyoga
