Tag: Gratitude

Day Three: Music, Hands-Free, Kindness

Leave a comment

Have you ever listened to a song that has brought you to your knees? To uncontrollable tears? That makes the hair on your arms and the back of your neck stick up? There’s this meta-human sensation that we can experience – you just have to find the right song.

Can’t find one of these sacred melodies? Here’s a few of my favorites:

1. Canzone Africana IV, Ludovico Einaudi

2. Comptine D’un Autre Ete, Yann Tiersen

3. Wild Swans Suite, Daniel Hope

4. Go Do, Jonsi

These are a mere few songs that somehow enable me to just breathe, and be present in the moment, all the while getting lost in the story each one tells. Music is the true essence of life. Whether it be an expression of joy, sorrow, freedom, love, angst, anger, or compassion, music is the purest gift we can give to the earth, others, and ourselves. Music inspires the soul, mends the heart, strengthens the ties that bind. Music is bliss.

Find your song.

I am grateful for music.

Door

On another note, this past evening was spent traveling to Western PA, a mere five-and-a-half-hour journey. Once escaping the grasp of city traffic (don’t ask me why I chose to leave at 4pm from Brooklyn!), I was able to enjoy the time and space to myself for deep thought and reflection. However, it wasn’t long before I became bored with the radio, too impatient to figure out the whole connect-the-smart-phone-to-auxillary-cable thing while cruising to my destination, before I needed to talk to a real human being.

In comes the bluetooth – what a seamless way to multi-task. The majority of my long drive ended up being shared with family and friends who kept me company along the way. Thanks guys for picking up!!

I am grateful for Hands-Free.

Naumkeag

Random Acts of Kindness go a long way in today’s world. While writing this post, I was reminded of a recent experience on the NYC Subway (the 5 train to be exact). Following a 10-hour day of fairly tiring day of running around, it was time to make my way home from waaaay up in the Bronx, and back down to Brooklyn. For those of you who aren’t familiar with NYC, that’s a looong ride on the 5 Train!

I get in. No seats at rush hour – my feet are SCREAMING in my awful work boots.

One stop later, the small handicap seat becomes vacant. I swiftly snatch it up and am instantly relieved to have a seat for the next 50 minutes!

Next stop, an older woman enters the train – as a proper New Yorker (ahem to those who do not follow this GOLDEN rule) I immediately (ok, slightly reluctantly) offer my seat to her. A wave of shock, surprise, and gratitude poured over this woman’s face as she took me up on the offer, and added, “We’re both small, let’s share!”

I obliged.

We sat in silence for the next 48 minutes. I only realized that she was still next to me when I got up to leave; she stopped me, looked into my eyes and again expressed sheer gratitude for sharing my seat with her. It goes to show that it’s easier to journey together and share, rather than stand alone.

Offering your seat is really no big deal, but these small offerings, these random acts of kindness go a long way. They have the ability to multiply exponentially if we let them. Spread kindness.

I am grateful for kindness.

Day Two: Sunsets, Escapes, Detergent

Leave a comment

Hello again! Thought I’d break my 21-day gratitude spree? Well it’s cutting it a little close, but after the busy day I’ve had, you’d understand!

Today I am grateful for many, many things of which three stand out the most: Sunsets, Escapes, and good ol’ Detergent.

First things first: Sunsets

Sunset tonight

Look at this beauty. This breezy and refreshingly mild evening was spent atop a roof in my lovely hometown of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The sunset slowly made its way across the NYC skyline while I enjoyed the company of friends while savoring chilled avocado soup topped with shrimp & salsa (commence drooling). The soft bluish blanket of cloud and warm orange and pink hues of the sun intersected perfectly…. As if the approaching night sky softly embraced the sleepy sun. No single sunset is the same, as is each day we live on Earth. Make it count.

I am grateful for Sunsets.

1700's Farmhouse, Berkshires

The thought of  Escape comes to my mind as well this evening to add to the many things and ideas I am grateful for. I still reflect on the indescribably peaceful couple of days spent in the Berkshires with family. It was truly a time where I Escaped my superficial worries, fears, and stresses. Each day was a pure expression of living in the moment. From stopping on the road to explore a less-traveled winding dirt path that led to an immaculate 1700’s farm house, to sitting quietly on the front porch or the meadow – each moment was spent absorbing the essence of Life, which is (as I am slowly getting the hang of!) being present in each moment. I am grateful to have had the beautiful experience to Escape to the North, but am even more grateful to be honing in on the ability to create that “Escape” state of mind wherever I journey.

I am grateful for Escapes.

On a less introspective note, I am SO SO SO SO grateful for Detergent. Today I spent 10 hours in the field sampling groundwater and measuring levels of oil (No. 6 fuel oil product to be fancy) at an undisclosed location in New York. I donned my Tyveks as to avoid any destruction to my favorite new pair of hiking/summer cargo/ work pants, but somehow the nasty molasses-like-evil-goo-from-Fern Gully still managed to seep onto my clothes! I reluctantly surrendered to the petroleum powers that be and sadly accepted the new stains on my favorite work pants.

Upon returning home, I raced to my room, and couldn’t get my sweaty, oily, bug spray-ee clothes into the wash! And lo and behold….. The pants came out SPOTLESS! This goes to show that with a little luck, good detergent, and good timing, you can get No. 6 Fuel Oil off of your favorite pants (helps that they were cotton too, no?)!

I am grateful for Detergent.

Gratitude is…

Leave a comment

This past weekend was spent amongst the trees, rolling hills, and endless sunsets of the Berkshires. Hidden away from the rest of the world, this sacred place really brought me back to my roots as a country-loving lady. It was a weekend of pure, unaffected joy and healing. One that I am sure to never forget.

 

Swing, Sit, Be.

While relaxing on the shaded porch in a wicker chair of an 1800’s farmhouse, watching the hummingbirds buzz and zip by, I was confronted with a “21-day challenge” to list three individual things each day that I am grateful for.

This really got me thinking – there’s SO much in this experience to be grateful for! How on earth could this be a challenge?

So here goes: over the course of the next twenty-one beautiful days, I will share with you (in no particular order) three things I am grateful for. I have no pre-determined list or idea where this will take me, but I know it’s something I need to do.

I’m calling it my “21-day gratitude spree”.

What are you grateful for?