A Welcome; and a Disclaimer

**The name for this blog might sound pretentious, but that really isn't my intention. Rather, the inspiration for the title came from my realization that, although far from perfect, I strive always to be a better person and to influence those around me in positive ways. While I may not be as influential as Mother Theresa or Gandhi, I do believe that my actions have a ripple effect on the people, things, and environment surrounding me. Please join me as I process this exciting journey!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Gratitude Project: Day 20

Greetings and Happy November to all!
I know; it's a tardy acknowledgement of the present month, but I've been M.I.A. for a few weeks now and am now crawling back with my proverbial tail between my legs, penitant for my absence. Had I been more disciplined, this would be more like Gratitude Project: Day 53, but I trust that my sole reader out there will be understanding and forgiving, granting me the freedom to move at my own pace.

I've been rather stuck in my own head space, which, in past experience, can become somewhat of a vicious cycle, difficult to free myself from its grasp, but I believe awareness is a good beginning in finding balance. And so, I share with you my three things for the moment:

1. I am grateful for Colour -- How better to liven up a room -- or one's life! I am hard-pressed to find something which cheers me as deeply or as quickly as dressing myself in my favourite orange blouse, or drinking a coffee from my purple hand-crafted mug, or sitting in a green armchair with a good book or a glass of wine. And walls painted in bright hues -- divine! I was privileged to have a creative housemate who was as fond of colour as I, and we painted our house to our taste: a beet-red kitchen, eggplant-purple sitting room, avocado-green entrance and bathrooms, and mango-yellow hallways. It was fantastic! So cheery, so unique; one can leave their own mark on a moment simply by the colour she brings into a situation, and I love the creativity that such variations on colour inspire.

2. Smoothies -- Flavourful, colourful, healthy, and so many variations available! In my opinion, a smoothie is always a welcome addition to any meal -- particularly breakfast. My personal favourites are: a) Blueberry and Banana with a splash of Lime; b) Papaya; c) Peach-Strawberry; d) Raspberry. Of course, I've never turned down a smoothie of any kind yet!

3. A Cozy Sweater -- I always find it so comforting to cuddle up in an old, favourite sweater on a rainy or breezy day. Of course, don't expect me to get much of anything done aside from reading or napping; there's just such abandon in wrapping up in the warmth and comfort as though it were a trusty old friend. Ahh...thinking of such moments almost makes me want to move from the tropics of Central America back to the Canadian prairies -- almost!