Day 365

Drove out of my drive way today Knowing no more did I need to find grateful things…then I saw the river ahhh beautiful hot, sunny, sparkling and fishing boats and kayaks ….here I AM going to work. That sucks…….Then I realised how lucky am I to see this scene while driving to work and make me realise this is my view as I drive out of my drive way. Dam still grateful

Day 364

Synchronised diving

Well this is a hard one to write the official end of the Blog on 'My year of being Grateful'. You would think I would have been glad to finally reach the end. Partly I am ....though I have found it has enlightened me and highlighted areas that have been a bit dismissive about or the energy I have put into them does not match the importance they have in my life.

Theirs has definitely been a flavour to them most strongly represented by my family. My gorgeous parents who mean the world to me and whose opinions I value above all others and the traits I have of both of them : ) My sister who is and always will be my best friend who is an amazing women and mother, a very successful women in her life who I admire. My brother and other sister (my sister in law), amazing parents and hold true to strong family values, I know them to always be there for me. And of course my nieces and nephews who are growing up into amazing young adults, One keeping the 3 generations alive of fitter and turning + car driving, one 3rd generation nursing with much love and care, and some of my traits (sorry) and youngest one who is now a young women to who has taken here values and beliefs on environment and animals into her life and studies and educated me quite a bit on it.

That probably leads into one of my other prominent points and that’s just acknowledging the beauty of the environment we have been brought up in and being kinder to it, even at times proactive and most importantly making our self-aware of what’s really happening not to believe in all we see posted as gospel but look into it. I so love just sitting and listening to it which until this year had not be doing as much anymore.

Thirdly this year has highlighted how prominent my friends are in my life and while through the days I have acknowledge I have been grateful to them it should not take a blog to do so. This year many important points have be highlighted to which I want to take into 2014 (though it taking me so long to right this we are now 2014). So my commitment to 2014 is to keep this same mindset as I feel it has made me a better and a more open person, it has had me confronting some very difficult personality qualities about myself and changes I need to make.

 So finally I am grateful to all of you have supported me on this journey I have appreciated the support and feedback and encourage anyone looking for a positive focus and growth..

Give it a try xxxxooooo

Day 363

A day a sizing up 2014 and what it may hold for me. Today a day of running around and organising. I am grateful that this last year has seemed to really get me back on track. I really believe it has partially been affected by this blog which has made obvious to me that I should not hold back from my dreams they are achievable. I am gratefully for the opportunities I am offered and my father’s advice (yes you Dad, you don’t interrogate me and it keeps me focused) along with my sister and brother whose opinions I hold just as high. I’m really excited today reorganised housing loan and booked travel. I can achieve security and dreams if I plan and organise the right way

Day 362

Thai dinner experience ala sharon

Double booked everything today, I got myself totally confused on where I should and what I should have been doing? Thankfully it all ended well though I am entirely way to full once again after another great evening, this time from a girlfriend from Brissy who I had met through paddling many years ago. Was grateful for the enlightening conversation we had over a Sav Blanc after our long walk really good ideas about directions and how I could incorporate my work with something bigger and more future focus for at risk groups in impoverished areas. Was given some insight in what to look for and where to actually start, through this discussion I feel I have been given a stronger focus

Day 361

Exceptional afternoon and evening was had with a lifelong friend, Grateful for her company and conversation over that couple of reds. Enjoyed the laughter, her patience and willingness in letting me experiment on her with my cooking abilities, luckily all turned out well, was extremely excited as I had pulled the Old Weber out and cooked the Kashmiri Lamb for dinner with Thai accompaniments. It would have made a good video, watching us trying to work out how to use the beads and fire starters. We U-tubed first (taking way too long) but who need instructions anyway trial and error had it working in no time and dam we had some fun doing it : )

Day 360

Was a good day for a catch up coffee with a girlfriend and take the opportunity to talk about our upcoming venture to Vietnam in 2014. Both very excited for our own reasons and as my friends know it has been something on my mind to do for a long time, though I never had seal down the when and where.

Well now that is done and I am grateful this opportunity presented itself to me. Did I say I was very excited : ) Bring on 2014

Day 359

Grateful for the quietness while sitting alon the river this morning waiting for the sunrise. Bike riders, walkers or making use of this time of the day.

Day 358

What a great night and beautiful morning grateful to spend this with my brother and sister in law (Michael and Julie). It is so easy to get busy in life and let a few hours distance becomes an excuse.

But a Chrissy day, couple drinks, dvd (Jason Statham…..cool hey Julie ;) It only reinforced how precious they are to me and how important making time is. Ham and eggs for breakfast, yummy and one of mine provided by Daisie, Poppie or Rosie (after mums Trifle of course). Few adjustments to my engine hose by my brother. My niece checking in with my bro, when saw she on side of rode under the engine I gather. Thanks Jess (another hose lol) and a beautiful message from my sister in law. I so love my Family and no matter what the good, bad, misunderstood times they are there. I am aware that this may not be for all. Hence why I realise I am very lucky I am because if it comes to it they will be there. Love every one of you my precious family xxxoooxxooxxxooo

Day 357

Christmas day just would not be Christmas without Mums’ trifle mm mmm. Beautiful Day, been a while since we all ended up in the pool together and played cards. No little kids running around anymore they are all grown up and at Uni or have a trade and all driving. Whoa when did I start getting older ???

Grateful for the amazing family I have, through good and hard times we still together for each other. Every one of us different, but every bit amazing

Even more grateful that mum made extra take away trifles to this year. Didnt have to hide or steal any trifle this year to ensure my post chrissy breaky's where taken care of. Not that I suffered guilt from it : ) mm mmm

Day 356

Grateful today is over and so much achieved, thankfully was i good company. Can not believe christmas is tomorrow .....................when did that happen??

Day 355

This is a hard one........little bit uncomfortable, but this blog is about finding the things we are grateful for on a daily basis. Sometimes this may mean we have to confront or sit with uncomfortable feelings.

Today going back to work knowing your car got damaged in your car park the Friday before, staff car park, yes sometimes client’s parents may use it, but that is not likely on that day

My mood may not of been the best, my gut says you would of had to know you hit the car (pic)...so I would like to believe maybe loud music etc may have covered the noise.

I’m grateful my colleagues and friends at work today put up with my moody moaning and groaning about this. I actually appreciated their support over the way I was feeling

Day 354

We allow life to get so busy that sometimes even that 5 mins (really 40mins) for a coffee with a friend is hard to get a consensual time. So I was very grateful today while on my way to Erbachers when I returned a friend’s call and we made that time. Even more so when that 1 coffee turned into 2 made my day. Coffee with a friend ........a very special time to savour

Day 353

A day full of rest, re-evaluation and reflection, enjoyed my day which went .....way so to quick. For the ? longest day seemed like the shortest. Happy Summer Solstice

Day 352

An amazing end to camp was brought more to my attention today when I was shown a video of me being swamp by our campers say thank you. Many tears and conversations had which came flooding back as I watched the video. Very obvious work is more than just a job; my heart is really there for the young people. Grateful for the opportunity to see this with fresh eyes and also to turn our last day not into a good bye but a Hello to our future and moving beyond the pain experienced by many.

Day 351

Whoa, 14 days left of ‘My Being Grateful Blog' hard to believe I have been able to maintain this for 351 days. I do believe it has greatly influenced my journey this year, in particular my attitude, moods and self-reflection process. While at odd times it felt like a chore it really was a great way to have that positive focus through my day to day.

I did realise though that while I would cease the blog at day 365, I really do want to keep this process going. So today I was very grateful to a friend who gave me this wonderful ‘Gratitude Diary’ to continue this journey. Looking forward to the challenges it lays before me through self-reflection and bringing more consciousness to the unconscious parts of myself. I like the fact that someone can know me well enough to choose something very meaningful to me.

Day 350

Grateful for the quietness of the car, the aircon on low, radio off, just my thoughts and quietness. Bit glad car full of stuff so I was afforded this opportunity to be alone on the drive home from camp

Day 349

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZv62ShoStY&feature=player_detailpage#t=72

Steppin outside your comfort zone, tick,

If the the link works this is the dance the camp leaders did. prior to Tribal Idol.............was very impressed with the talent that followed from the kids. VERY Impressed, was a great night

Day 348

Well Day 2 for Gaining Grounds camp...Day 1 for Middle Earth camp. Grateful for the wonderful team I am working with, amazing camp leaders and facilitators. This just could not happen without them. They volunteer their time and go away exhausted and I hope inspired as we get to work with some amazing young people who have experienced a lot for such short lives. Appreciated this year the extra space/time I got to spend with them. It’s through their influence and the young campers that I get my drive and sometimes creativity.

Day 347

Grateful today for my colleague and friend, who took time out of her Saturday to help complete the last activity for camp. It’s just so nice and special having someone you can share your thoughts or weird ideas about activities/programs with. Someone who does not laugh but supports and helps you improve them, finding the good and identifying areas of weakness. I admire her for her processing and strategizing prowess. Every time I work closely with her I learn something new especially about myself. I’m lucky

Day 346

Buzzing around with so much on, the worry comes when you feel like you have everything done.....knowing has to be something more. Oh well did my best, feeling good......I even stopped to smell the flowers. Now for the cuppa made for me and bed. Tomorrow going to be an Awesome day :)