Day 2 and 3: Catching Up

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to write a full blown blog post last night about what I was grateful for (I had to be at work at 5:30am and then didn't  get home until after 1am!) because I was so exhausted!  I did make sure to message my dear friend, Jodi, with what I was grateful for yesterday.  Even though I could have left it at that I wanted to expand, so I could remember that day, remember those moments.  So here are the five things I was grateful for yesterday:

1. The first thing I was grateful for yesterday was the game Cards Against Humanity.  In case you aren't familiar with it, it's pretty much the game Apples to Apples but X-Rated...I mean it's pretty sick and twisted but can be soooo amusing.  Anyway, I played with my best frand (and yes, I spelled that correctly) and his family.  Although it turned into a very late night, which I was not expecting, I laughed harder than I had in a long time.  Even though I was exhausted and wanted to go home and go to bed, this hysterical game kept me going through my tiredness and it did a lot of good for me!
2. The second thing I was grateful for yesterday was the impromptu nature walk I went on.  I was originally supposed to meet my best frand at his house around 7:30 but he had a meeting; instead of heading home, I went to a reservation and look an almost hour long walk while I waited for him to get home.  It was so relaxing and calming; it completely uplifted my mood and made me feel at peace.  This is also one of the places I feel completely connected with Spirit, so it was wonderful.  It was twilight so there weren't a lot of people there but a lot of critters were out to keep me company.  Here are a few pictures from my walk:

   

   Without realizing it, I had worn a green top to blend in with the trees!

   
   
   
   

   

   I found this magical stream!

   
   

   
   

   
   

   

   A close up shot of the water.

   
   

   

   Down by the lake I saw a family of geese!

   
   

   

   I also saw some deer--I was so excited!

   
   

   

   Another shot of the deer.  His companion was off the side also enjoying some food.

   
   

   

   I can't help it, I love deer!

   
   

   

   Last deer picture, I promise!

   
   

   

   Some lovely wildflowers!

   
   

   

   I think wildflowers are so gorgeous!

   
   

   

   I decided to take the road less traveled!

   
   

   

   Deep in the 100 acre wood...

   
   

   

   I love how the setting sun is captured in the water.

   
   

   

   The white specks in the water are actually a bunch of swans!

   
   

   

   I love walking around the lake!

3. The third thing I was grateful for yesterday was the new crystals that I bought!  I have always felt completely drawn to crystals and I sometimes get this overwhelming feeling that I am meant to get some new babies (as I affectionately call them).  I found some amazing pieces.  I got an amethyst, even though I already have several pieces, because it just called to me.  I also got a lapis lazuli (in which I saw numbers and runes), a geode, a blue onyx, labradorite, and clear quartz crystal point for a friend of mine.  Here is a picture of them (minus the clear quartz):

   

   From front to back:
   Geode, lapis lazuli, blue onyx, amethyst, and labradorite.

4. The fourth thing I was grateful for yesterday was the few rocks and stones the Goddess gifted me with while on my nature walk, as well as a beautiful feather.  I was thankful I found the stones by the stream and was able to cleanse them in the water.  It was magical experience and I truly felt connected to Spirit in those moments.

   

   Here are the stones I found by the stream.

   
   

   

   The gorgeous feather that I found while I was walking back to my car.

5. The fifth thing I was grateful for yesterday was my companionship with my neighbor.  While she is older than me, she is new to this new age stuff.  While she has always been spiritual, her third eye was recently blown open and she began seeing things.  She tested the waters with me and I shared with her my own personal experiences and we discovered we both have an affinity for stones and crystals.  Now we talk every day about our experiences and show off our new babies.  While I have always been thankful for our friendship, we are now connected on a deeper, spiritual level and I am thankful for that.

So, now that I shared with you what I was grateful for yesterday, let's move on to what I am grateful for today.

1. The first thing I am grateful for today is my patience.  Even though this situation took place yesterday, I was still irritated about it today.  I was having issues with a coworker yesterday who was speaking to me disrespectfully and treating me like an idiot.  I try not to let those things bother me, especially from this specific coworker because she does this often, but I took great offense to it yesterday because it felt like she was criticizing every single thing I was doing and taking control of my department.  Even though I was close to snapping at her, I stepped away, took a deep breath, and let my anger go.  I am thankful that I didn't say something out of anger and that I kept my frustration in check.
2. The second thing I am grateful for today is the $2 side table I found at a garage sale.  It was painted this ugly dark brown and it is missing the drawer, but I've decided to restore it (stripping the paint) and repaint it to use a working altar for my room.  Even though I recently got a beautiful altar, I want a table I can do physical work on.  I am thankful the Goddess led me down that street today and allowed me to find a beautiful piece to add to my practice.
3. The third thing I am grateful for today is my best frand and his family.  We have only been friends for a couple years now but we are truly the same exact person.  He helped expose me to the world of magic and has taught me more than he probably knows.  I am thankful for his quirkiness and his humor that cracks me up continuously.  I am also thankful for his family who welcomed me with open arms and consider me a part of their family.  This friendship has truly shown me that it doesn't matter how long you've been friends with someone, but rather who is there for you when times get tough and who stays through the rough water.
4. The fourth thing I am grateful for today is the yogurt shop my sister works in.  Not only is it a delicious treat (especially in the summer time), but also because it is super healthy.  There is no fake stuff in their yogurt which makes it even more enjoyable!  It also doesn't hurt that my sister is an assistant manager there so she comps me yogurt and smoothies and frozen coffee all the time!  I am thankful I get to enjoy that sweet treat that makes me feel like I am indulging but not feel all that guilty about it!
5. The fifth thing I am grateful for today is my fiance's calming touch.  I am naturally an anxious person and am usually fidgeting or bouncing my leg without realizing I'm doing so, and he will just naturally start stroking my hair or rubbing my back which immediately calms me.  He has a tendency to realize I am anxious before I even know.  The way he pays attention to my body language to know when I need some relaxation is not only completely comforting, but also something I am extremely thankful for.

I am sorry if there are typos in this post.  It's nearly midnight and I have to get up early so I cannot even go back to proofread.  As an English major with a concentration in creative writing and a touch of OCD this bothers me greatly, but I am beginning to understand that I have to listen to my whole body and not just my brain and when it says I'm tired and need rest, I need to listen.

So until tomorrow, sweet dreams.

**UPDATE**  I went back to proofread this blog post and fixed all the grammatical errors (that I could see).  While I cringed at some of the stuff I wrote, it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be.