Gratitude.

So as you can probably surmise from my silence, I've had a bit of a rough go of things here for the last little bit.  It's no surprise; the three-month mark is always hard in a new place, when the honeymoon has worn off and reality looks like incessant rain and failed attempts at friendships and trying to figure out how to find joy and hope and fulfillment once again.   So I'm intentionally choosing to be grateful and reviving what I hope will be a more common gratitude list, because gratitude really does work wonders at bringing about an attitude adjustment. 

So I'm grateful for: 

West African pineapples and papayas and bananas are all the best in the world. Truly. 

A pineapple with four crowns

The sweet caring email that reminded me I’m not alone in the world

A ‘snow’ day in Monrovia = staying home for the day because of flooding

Possibilities of a massive project expansion

The whole grain bread at Stop and Shop, still warm and delicious.

The feeling of accomplishment I get after writing what I know is a really good document or contract

A sweet note from a friend sharing she and her kids had prayed for me

The rain stopped and the floodwaters began to recede and the sun peeked through the clouds

Kind words from my boss about something I’d written

Knowing delayed gratification will be worth it in the end

Not being tempted by Amazon Prime Day

Perfectly timed texts that make me smile and make my heart sing

Reminders from my tea bag

A cool shower after a hot and sweaty workout

Fun plans to look forward to

Bran flakes and soy milk and a few raisins tossed in

The kind and gentle way she handled my tears

Fish tacos and friends on the beach at sunset

The complete lack of any logic that made me laugh

A new Kindle paid for with credit card points!

Popcorn and a movie

Psalms of lament

Meeting a kindred spirit

A quickly repaired and fully functional air conditioner

A divinely orchestrated skype call of profound depth and fulfilment

Nikki’s helpfulness on a new project

Staff members who return generosity with generosity

Hummus and crunchy vegetables and green tea

A new friend who understands me

Sweet texts that make me smile and remind me I'm loved even when everything feels the opposite is true

Getting my first piece of mail in Liberia, and knowing there’s many more on the way (and being okay with the fact that they may not make it)

A new perspective on emotions and how to treat them

Almost-daily check-ins with a heart friend

The weird bump on my arm wasn’t a worm, and laughing that my first assumption is that it must be a worm

No negative reaction or side effects to the new prescription medication

Finding out it’s cheaper for me to fly to Bali than it is to fly to Seattle (vacation anyone?) 

A perfectly timed “no problemo” response and another thing to look forward to

That my cold was not as bad as it could have been

Friend

His name is Friend.

The cash machine had cash in it! 

Clean clothes folded neatly and left on my bed

The red backpack that repels water and theft and reminds me of who I am and who loves me

A kind wave from the guards as I enter and exit

May we all find gratitude and joy today and every day that we are gifted.  xxk