Thankful Thursdays ~ Post Seven

THREE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

1) Good Friends:
~ I am grateful for the wonderful friends (and family) in my life. This may be a regular thing for which I am thankful and will likely become a theme in future posts. However, it's a great truth to my character. Without certain people in my world I would give up on myself before even trying. The right people who truly care about you, motivate and listen to you. The people whom I let close to me nourish my mind and soul as much as they give my heart a safe place to expand.

2) The Day Shift:
~ I was finally granted the privilege of joining the day team at my place of work. It happened last spring, and it took me a long time to get into the groove because my adapted habit of being a day sleeper when I worked nights made it difficult for me to flip the switch. I just couldn't fall asleep for the first six months of working days so I was exhausted and making a lot of mistakes. I was also learning a whole new role so it was a really big change, but the best change ever! I am very teachable! I can do anything if someone shows me how. I seem to have found a circadian rhythm now, and I can balance my responsibilities.

3) Lunch Break Walk:
~ I started walking again on my lunch break. I used to do it regularly on the night shift, but lost my motivation because I didn't have a good winter jacket at the time. It gets dark faster in winter so I wouldn't walk during the colder season much. Now that I'm on days I take a break at one o'clock and I power-walk a moderate route in about twenty five minutes. It's a quick way to get my heat rate up and break a small sweat. When I get back to my desk, the rest of the afternoon flies by and then it's home time.


Are you thinking about the things that bring joy to your life? Do you focus on what lifts you up and guides you to the best version of yourself? Is there one thing in life you are grateful for... How bout three or five!? Leave a comment below and share with your friends. Let's start 2019 on a thankful train! :)

~ Namaste ~

OXO

Angélique

Life Lately ~ Relationships And Ending Thirty Something...

They say history repeats itself. Well, I guess it's the same for her story too. When it comes to love and relationships, I am the poster child for failed attempts and do-overs. These last few years I've experienced a lot of life's changes. Good ones. Many growth opportunities. The only thing that hasn't changed is the fact that I have no idea what I want out of my relationships. I am honest to a fault, but apprehensive about my own needs. And the moment I get involved with someone, the daydreams take over and I'm circled by "what if's". I gave up on searching for something meaningful a while ago. I gave up searching altogether.

Suddenly, I stumbled into a friends with benefits situation and I can't completely keep my feelings out of it. Perhaps, these feelings are residual. After all, it's an old friend and lover who's back in my life. And, I can't shake what we had before. Though, I know he won't be around for long. He's already told me this. It's true "adulting" trying to be friends with someone you once loved. I missed our friendship. But our bodies cannot fight the attraction! So, it is what it is and I'm enjoying the moment for what it's worth. :)

I find myself thinking I should date a handful of fellas at once to keep the balance. Mainly to stop myself from daydreaming about a future with anyone. When I focus on just one person, I crave more of that person! The one thing I know I want most in life is to maintain my independence. I really don't want to need anyone else in my life. It makes me feel out of control because it becomes a constant distraction. I get messy when I'm overjoyed by a man.

The fact that I'll be turning forty this year makes me realize I don't want to settle down. I always thought I would but I've been on my own for so long I don't think I could stand living with someone now. After that cancer scare (everything's okay, no worries) I had a serious think over my options in life. And I full heartedly accepted that raising children is not my purpose. I thought it was. I thought I would only be a real woman once I had kids. But the honest to goodness truth is that I'm not cut out to be a mother. I'm nurturing and I have a connection with babies and little ones, but it's not my purpose to bring them into the world and prepare them for the future. It's just not my kind of commitment.

Most of my dreams and hobbies will take till I'm retired to fully enjoy. I've come to understand that. So, I've been on a kind of hiatus from crafting lately and I only make my facial oil every few months. But I've been using healthy brands for deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, etc. And, I've become affiliated with a very uniquely awesome haircare brand called L'Ange! They're products and quality are amazing and my hair is super soft and manageable every day! I'll share more about that in another post.

The best news is that I started working days this past spring! It's better for my health and I am so very grateful for the opportunity. I feel happier at work most days now. I'd like to take the customs certification course next year, but I'm not sure if I'll be ready for it. It's a pretty hefty cost for the course which is a year long. I've been working in customs brokerage for nine years, and I'm still afraid to take the course again. lol... I failed it twice early on in my career, so I know how hard it is. Now that I am on days and learning much, much more I am sure I will successfully pass the course the next time I try.

Cheers!

Angélique

Thankful Thursdays ~ Post Six

*Photo Credit Unknown; Edited by Angélique Dawn*

THREE THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR

1) My cats:
~ I have two cats that are ten and eight years old. The best thing about my cats is they don't disturb my plants (knock on wood) and they are pretty easy going kitties... I am mostly thankful for my cats because they literally give me a daily dose of antidepressant. When I can't sleep, I get up and find a cat to snuggle -if they're not already in bed with me. Then I just reach out and touch them to calm my mind or soothe my soul. I honestly can't imagine life without my furry, purry girls. They make the best roommates!

2) Having enough food:
~ Truth be told, I sometimes take food for granted. I occasionally waste food because I forget about it in the fridge and it goes bad. I've been trying to be more careful with how I spend my money lately. So, instead of buying take-out or over purchasing fresh produce, I've been focusing on the foods in my pantry and freezer. Now, I am so very grateful for canned and frozen goodies. I make sure every year to donate food & toiletries when my work puts a few boxes together for the UPS canned good drive. I also pray that the whole world has enough food to eat.

3) Forgiveness:
~ I struggle every day to say the right thing. I get anxious and mix my sentences together and leave room for people to read between the lines. I react too quickly and I have hurt friends more often than I can count just because I was imperfect with my words. Then I get mad at myself and upset about the whole situation. Unfortunately, sometimes I don't see the big picture or consider how many people my words reach. But all I can really do is say, I'm sorry. I am grateful for the people who have accepted and forgiven me during those times. I am also thankful for the people I am able to forgive even when their words or actions hurt me. It's healthy to let it go.

Regardless of anyone's intentions hurt still happens. So forgive swiftly. Forgive unconditionally. And forgive often.

~ Namaste ~

OXO

Angélique