I realized March is more than half over, and it has gone incredibly fast and without much notice. I have had more energy as the days get longer. I have gone on a few walks, been outside more, trimmed some bushes, and generally have more energy. It isn’t a lot more, but it is something. The weather is warm this week in the 80s and so beautiful after a couple of rainy, overcast days, it is very welcome.

This week is full of meetings and appointments. The dentist for one, seminars to keep my mind thinking positive and I have been listening to upbeat talks on self-confidence and self-esteem. They have been uplifting. I feel more gratitude in my heart. I have also been reading from a book by Janice Kaplan called The Gratitude Diaries. This has again awaken my desire to be more grateful in my life. Each month she tackles a new project for a year to experiment and see how having gratitude improves (or doesn’t) each month. Spoiler alert: it improves.  It is so good to read about her experience. 

Gratitude has so much to do with how we view our life, and I, for one, was not born with that gene if there is one. I tend to look at the world from a negative and complaining view, but I am willing to and desire to change that.

One thing I am doing for myself is cooking. Yes, I cook for myself once in a while, but generally, it is super easy stuff, or I eat out. So I signed up for Hello Fresh, and this way, I have at least 4 meals (2 to prepare and 2 for leftovers). My first meal was a ravioli dish, which was very tasty, both days. I felt proud of myself and got two very nice meals. This plus the walks are the beginning of me loving myself again. I am treating myself well so I can have energy for others.

I am worthy, as are you, of taking care of yourself. We were born that way. We are worthy enough as we are. We are deserving of good food, healthy relationships, and a good life. I am going to start showing myself I am worth the good home cooked meals I will prepare for myself. I am worthy of taking walks in the morning and enjoying God’s creation of the earth. I am worthy of love in all forms. I am a blessed human on this earth with my own special gifts, just as you are. There is only one me, and I have been letting her be dampened by the experience of life but no more. I am awakening again to my potential, and it is great. I may have some dark days from time to time, but they will not break me. My life is meant to be lived, and God only knows how many days I may be blessed with, but watch out world I am here!

I am not sure what is on the horizon or how things will go. I can not predict that all will go as planned, but I can say I will give it my best. I will keep my feet moving and what happens happens. Whatever the challenges, they are there for me to grow and be strengthened.  They are there to learn about myself and become a better version of myself. Each day and even each moment is a new opportunity to take on or not. Each day is a fresh start to be that person I want to be.

I took on the challenge this week of recovering my outside patio cushions. It has been challenging as for one I haven’t sewn in a long time and my eyesight is dimished enough, threading that needle takes something. I also have only basic sewing skills. I used the old cushion cover as inspiration and set about doing it. I have yet to figure out how to finish, but I am taking it one step at a time as I get inspired. It has been delightful to do something I have been thinking about for months. When I am done, I can say I did it. It has also taken time I would normally be wallowing.  So start that project, do that thing, and take it one step at a time. I didn’t spend a lot of time planning just doing. Will it be perfect, no. But will I have something when I am done, yes. I am learning and growing with each step. I realized I enjoyed the challenge and am coming back to myself a little at a time.