It’s been a while since I did one of these lists here.  I’ve had a lot on my mind these past few weeks and I’ve decided to dive into the world of co-dependency and what exactly that means and how to not be it (did that make sense??).  I’m reading and doing the activities in Melody Beattie‘s most recent book, Make Miracles in 40 Days.  It’s an easy read and is based on the principles of writing down, for 10 minutes every day, what you are grateful for.  BUT, and it’s a big BUT!!, not the way you normally would think of doing this exercise.  The list consists of all the things you hate,  all the negative feelings you feel, all the things you really feel like you aren’t grateful for and, no, it’s not a “turn that crap into something positive” kind of list.  It’s the ugly, and only the ugly, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, etc.  That’s it. And, don’t panic, a bunch of ugly is not coming your way because you don’t share it with anyone unless you decide to work with a partner.

Years ago, when I was following a life coach named Rhonda Britten, she had this one idea that stuck in my head (there were many actually, but this one is a big one).  She said, you can’t get the life you want until you love the life you have.  I feel like Melody and Rhonda have the same idea here and Melody’s work is the road to get to that place of loving the life you have.  This work by Melody is powerful, I am sure.  As I did my first day, I could feel all the feelings coming up (better than suppressing them, right?) and, once the list was done, I was able to move on and let them all go.  I’m excited to see what it brings (is that weird??  I mean, who wants to sit in a big vat of ugly??!!).

Anyway, today I’m ready to share some positive things I’m grateful for so here we go:

This week, I am grateful for:

• Melody Beattie and her work.
• A bookstore just a couple of blocks away.
• Good friends who provide the support and love I need.
• Having a roof over my head and food in my belly and a pool to swim in.
• Two beautiful daughter’s who both mean the world to me.
• An ex who can be supportive and kind and drama-free.
• A steady flow of work I love.
• Ideas that never end.
• A creative mind and spirit.
• Liv and her Little Bliss List, inspiring so many of us to touch those spaces in our lives we might otherwise take for granted.