Acknowledging the good you already have in your life is the foundation for abundance.
Eckhart Tolle
It is an act of courage to be grateful and authentic as much as it is to take a chance.
First let me preface this by saying many people are navigating really difficult times. I believe we are all aware of this.
Today, I am grateful for many things; friends, family, health, and just having a home and something to eat- which not everyone has. Even though my life is not free of burdens ( whose is?!) I still have very little to complain about and it’s important to keep this in perspective which is why I began a gratitude journal five years ago. Some days are easier than others to find something to be grateful for. It can be as simple as a chickadee I saw on my morning walk, or a warm cup of coffee. Acknowledging the gratitude I have for these things encourages me to slow down and enjoy life’s little gifts.
Last week the details for my upcoming trip to Iceland were finalized. This is the first of many “working trips,” creating content for various adventure companies. I am SO excited about this, doing what I love in a place I love, pinch me because I must be dreaming, but to be honest I am a little nervous too.
But here is the thing…
When we listen to that inside voice, the voice that reminds us what brings us joy, we find ourselves following what we love, and everything flows. This can be scary, to trust that it will all fall into place. It’s a chance we need to take though, but it doesn’t mean we won’t be nervous or scared taking it.
Take the chance; do the thing; the time will pass anyway.
You Be You
I recently read a book about finding your life’s purpose. Something I learned is that just because something isn’t happening yet, doesn’t mean that it won’t, and that there may be many people doing “similar things,” no two are exactly alike. It is true when they say comparison is the thief of joy, which is why we should all embrace who we are.
What are you grateful for?
I am writing today to remind everyone to be your authentic self and be grateful for who YOU are. Life can be messy, people can be weird, and this is what makes us all unique. This is all part of the human experience, so let it shine. Be you and the right people and opportunities will find you.
One of my life’s regrets is that I didn’t find gratitude sooner. It requires us to slow down, be mindful, and experience the moment. It’s about experiencing life, rather than expecting it.
Reflecting on all these decisions that brought me here to this place today (discovering my love for writing and photography again, traveling to this little island that stole my heart) —I just can’t believe it!
I wish all of you many moments of gratitude and authenticity. Slow down and experience and enjoy while you can. Start a gratitude journal. This journal has helped me through some really difficult times because let’s face it, life can be hard. When I am down, I look back and read my older passages. It doesn’t solve any problems, but it does help my perspective.
I am grateful for you now go do something amazing today.
(Pictured is a day where I was trying to photograph the Holsmberg Lighthouse in Reykjanes but the infamous Icelandic wind had other plans. Something about wind in Iceland, I love it! It is like Iceland’s way of asking. do you still love me?
So true ❤️