Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for an inner feeling of sunshine despite the grey skies and rain: I did my monthly grocery shopping, and as oppose to last month, I felt less tired and more energized afterward. A sign that perhaps my recent indoor biking is helping my lungs and endurance a bit.
For this, I am so joyful and grateful.

Dear Readers, please share what you are thankful for. ♥

(Image Source: MrxStitch, edited by RoseAlma)

Thankful Thursday

(Source: SocialDesigner, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I awoke to blue sky and sunshine. The back patio welcomed me with its sunbeams, and I sat sipping my steamy morning chai. My cup and robe kept me warm in the beautiful crisp air. A certain loved one joined me, and along with his love brought warm conversation. A continuation, it felt almost, of our stimulating discussion the night before. It was the kind of conversation that involves sharing ideas, sometimes opposing ones, and that ends with new understanding and a deeper sense of love.

For all of these beautiful things, I am tremendously grateful.

May we all remember to soak up each moment.

Thankful Thursday

(Source: aBeautifulRippleEffect, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I am thankful for the smiles of Target strangers.

I had my first outing in a few days. Went to our local Target with my parents. It must have been a while since I've been around so many people. Because for the first time in over a year, I was aware of lots of stares from people. I'm fairly certain (though it is only an educated guess) that what draws the attention of so many is the fact that a twenty-something girl is walking around on oxygen. Usually, if people of the general public see anyone on oxygen, it is the elderly. So seeing someone young with it makes them wonder. That is what I've come to surmise anyway. 

I adjusted to these routine stares long ago, when I first started wearing oxygen regularly (about a year ago). I was to the point that I didn't notice anymore; it had become white noise. But today it felt almost like it did when I wore the cannulas in a store for the first time ever: so many pairs of eyes, numerous double-takes, people looking with their mouths hanging open. Nothing ill-intentioned or outright rude. Just obviously confused and very much curious. With all these cold, blank stares, it makes quite a difference when a kind stranger breaks that glass case around me with a warm smile. I received a few of those smiles today, and each one touched my heart. Made me human again. And for that, I am so very thankful.

Beautiful people, what warms your heart? What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

(Source: Oracle, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I am thankful for creativity.

As I have grown, I've come to learn that art and the ability to create are central to my life. I adore art and artists, of all mediums, from all over. Artistic expression is beautiful and enlivening, following no rules or boundaries. Art itself is so genuine, emotional, and true. And that is what draws me to it.

Whenever my health is in decline though, my energy and drive to create unfortunately falls. Each time I experience an exacerbation, I notice my creative mind shutting down; and all I have energy to focus on is physically getting through the day. I unconsciously switch into survival mode, like human beings do: if the body can't meet its basic needs (in my case, getting enough air to breathe), it won't be well enough to perform higher cognitive functions (like creating art).

Because of this pattern I have noticed, it's always a beautiful and welcome sign when I begin to feel artistically inspired again. And for me, yesterday and today have been my new beginning. I've been excitedly "running" around thinking up this and that. Little gifts for my loved ones and little decorative projects for my new downstairs room - as well as refreshing my list of larger, longterm creative projects I've been aiming to do.
It's beautiful to feel inspired again. I am so very grateful. ♥

Now truly, dear readers... what are you thankful for?
I (and we) would love to hear from you.

Thankful Thursday

(Source: small handfuls, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I am thankful for home.

Home in many beautiful ways:

• home as in out of the hospital and in my parents' house again. In my bed and around my three incredibly loving younger brothers.
• home in my beautiful new downstairs bedroom that my family built for me while I was away. No more restless nights on the living room couch because I'm too weak to walk up the stairs to my room. And their love is infused in every stroke of pink paint, every carefully-hung decoration, every thoughtful placement of furniture.
• home in my beautiful fiance who surprised me by appearing at the hospital, having come all the way from Florida. And who is now here in Tennessee to stay with me always.
• home in the smiles and laughter of all my loved ones, including my nine siblings. Such rare and beautiful times make for memories that keep me strong when the storm clouds come. 
• home in the love of my parents, without whom I would not make it through. They are my foundation, my protection, my strength, my heart. And all love in me springs from the love in them.

I am most grateful, today and everyday, for all these beautiful feelings of home.

Dear people, what are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

(Source: WilliamPowers, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I am thankful for a fair few beautiful things:

• The colorful fall leaves that my mother sprinkled atop my hospital bed after returning from home. They came from our beautiful trees in the front yard, and she knows how I yearned to see them turn. They range in color, from burnt orange to lemony yellow to rich crimson red. So beautiful. 
• The homemade pasta lunch delivered to me by surprise, from my oldest darling sister. She made me two versions to suite my veggie/vegan needs: one with cheese and one without. Her smiles, warmth, and love made it all that much richer.
• The irresistible and endearingly drooly smile of my beautiful four-month-old niece. Her sweet little face melts my heart. One look in those eyes, and my worries are gone. So gentle and pure.
• The softness and warmth of a new pink pashmina on a cold November day.
• The ability and endurance to walk 1,100 steps in six minutes at a strong pace. I am beginning to feel like me again, and I'm cherishing that feeling for the moment.
• The overflowing, overwhelming feeling of love that overcame me this evening. The world is turning, and we are all together in it. Love will always carry us on. 

What are you thankful for, my beautiful ones? ♥

Thankful Thursday

(Source: Dr. Akilah, edited by RoseAlma)

Today I am thankful for the sun. Having been in the hospital since very early Monday, I have not been outside and in the company of the sun for a long while. And loving nature as I do, my heart was experiencing withdrawals. I needed the warm sun, the crisp air, and the beautiful sounds of the natural world around me.
And for a few moments, I was granted that precious gift. 'Til we meet again, beautiful earth. ♥

I am also grateful for my incredibly beautiful parents. They're with me through it all.
And I am so very blessed to have their warmth, protection, and love.

Sweet people, what are you thankful for this week and this day?

Thankful Thursday

As part of a new weekly tradition, I would like to welcome you to the start of...

"Thankful Thursdays."

(Source: AttractingWellness, edited by RoseAlma)

Gratitude is something that I think, as busy human beings, we sometimes forget to show. Not because we are ill-intentioned or even ungrateful; but because we are in a hurry, or too distracted, or too inwardly focused instead of outwardly observant. So in an effort to help us all slow down and refocus on the little things that deserve our appreciation, we will pause briefly every Thursday. I will share something in my life, whether large or small, that I am thankful for.

In return, I ask that all you beautiful readers out there share something that you are thankful for. :)

I think it will be a healthy practice that will do us wonders.

So... this Thursday I am thankful for two things:

The first - My youngest and adorable nephew Brandon. He is two-years-old, about to be three. And this morning he surprised me by knocking on my bedroom door and asking to play in my room. I lent him my "castle" (which is actually my last surviving Polly Pocket toy from childhood - the original, miniature Pollies, that is) to play with, as well as my green marti gras beads and matching green poker hat. And I just sat with him making ridiculous faces, all of which elicited the most adorable giggles you ever did hear. This darling face made my day, and I am so grateful for his sweet little soul.

The second - A very special individual who, sixth months ago today, changed my life forever. This person is the most beautiful soul I have ever known. And I am thankful, every day and every moment, for his love.

Beautiful readers, what are you thankful for?