Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.

It’s 2:38am and I am awaken by a crash outside my bedroom window, followed by loud voices like the ones that follow college freshmen back to their dorm after their first Friday on campus. This has become a semi regular occurrence, my neighbor’s good time has become a very unwelcome middle of the night alarm clock. A flash of frustration sends heat through my body as I lay in bed now wide awake. I catch myself and before the frustration turns to anger and I check in with gratitude.

This moment holds infinite reasons for me to be thankful. I am safe behind locked doors, my adorable apartment sits in a city I love. I am in a warm bed with a cat on either side of me. As I cuddle closer to my sweet, playful, sometimes destructive and obnoxious cats I count it a huge blessing that I am able to provide for them the life they deserve. I have family and friends who show me so much love by believing in me and supporting my sometimes VERY ambitious goals. In this moment I am overwhelmed by the goodness of my life.

It is so difficult sometimes to see past the self-perceived failures and shortcomings of life.  It’s a trap I have to fight not to fall into. As the presentation of self becomes more and more controllable my advancements in technology and vanity it is hard not to compare myself to others, to see life as a race and feel like I am falling behind for any number of reasons. It’s only when I allow myself to live authentically, to center my values and the beautiful moments I witness every day, that I am able to see clearly the how truly blessed I am. Moments like this allow me to recharge my wild, uninhibited love and compassion for the world and the beings who reside within it and remind me who I am at my core.

I am grateful. I am thankful. I am so blessed.