Since B passed on I have been very introspective. Thinking a lot about life and loss, sadness and joy. For a long while now I have known that for my spiritual practice I wanted to learn to love my life, no matter what. Most times I succeed. When times are tough, like when a beloved pet dies, or I don't have money or time to do the things I love, that practice gets tested. To me, this means that is is even more important to find a way to love my life. If you are only happy when things are going smooth, that limits you. As we all know life is not smooth most of the time.
I try not to depend on others for my joy, that is also very limiting. Most of us have so much, even those like me, who have very little, still has more than 75% of the world. We are so blessed, yet we pick at the things that are not perfect in our lives. The past two weeks were hard. I cried a lot, but tears are a blessing and I did not try to stop the flow. It is important to grieve. I picked up B's ashes on Friday and that was very emotional, but also a release.
You can't go through life without loss. I have been reflecting on all the wonderful things I have going for me. Family, friends, bloggy friends, great clients, talent, 3 beautiful animal boys, a roof over my head, food on the table ( I made a yummy squash soup yesterday!) new ceramics drying on my shelves, sunshine and mountains outside. It does not matter who you are, you have something to be thankful for. I make myself remember this, daily. No matter what.
Feast on life, love your life. Happy Sunday!!! XOXO
22 comments:
Oh Annie what a beautiful post and so true!!
This is something we have to remind ourselves of every day!
Thanks dear!
And what a great way to stand in life like that!
I know you have had a hard time these past weeks. But I am happy you can see that silver lining on those clouds or see the sun behind them
have a nice Sunday!
Marianne-Thank you! One of the silver linings are new bloggy friends like you! xoxo
Annie - this is so true. We each have so many things to be thankful for. Life is full of loss and pain. Life is full of love and beauty. It's an interesting place to live, this planet of ours. :)) It helps me to know there are people like you, who are struggling but still finding good things to be happy about every day. I'm glad I met you here in Blog World. xox! Pam
Beautifully said dear Annie. We always have the choice to live in gratitude, and you are so right, there is always something to be grateful for!
Beautiful clouds ☺
xoxo
lori
Picking up B's ashes must have been so very hard. I have been there as many others have before me. Those of us who love our animals so much♥ My heart aches for you.
I always 'try to try' seeing the good that surrounds me. I am so very blessed in the things that matter. Not having worked for over a year now is so foreign to me. I have worked 7 days a week most of my life and still struggled financially. I think that's because a lot of my work was free animal work ;) But now I'm getting a little notice for my artwork, finally after 30 years!
How did I make 500 sales on Etsy, you asked?
One $2.50 card at a time ;)
Annie, your package should arrive tomorrow. I hope you find a bit of inspration within. And a lot of love too ;)
xoxo
Lo♥
Sometimes loss focuses us in on the gifts in our lives. I try hard to remember that. Hope the light in your life continues to grow.
Pam-Have I told you that you are one of the lights that shine in my life? Your humor and good nature are a joy. I am glad I met you too xoxo
Lori-You are another light, always full of joy. xoxo
Lo, I love you and I am so happy to be getting to know you. What a doll to be sending me a surprise!
I never noticed what you sold your stuff for, Lo, you are underpricing your work! You pay 4 dollars for a card much less beautiful than yours at the store! And your prints should be at least 25 dollars and they are a steal at that price. Just a little advice from one who used to do the same.
Your work is wonderful and I know you want people to have it and that is sweet, but you are an artist and should be paid for your work at a decent wage. Okay, my rant is over :-). xoxo
Secret Agent-Thank you sweetie! xoxo
Annie, the importance of what you've written here can't be said or remembered often enough.
At least for me. I try hard to stay in my grateful place,,,and thank you for the reminder.
I've thought of you often about the loss of your beautiful boy.My heart aches, as I know what a difficult time you've had,,,and yet you stay grateful and upbeat. I'm proud to know you.
XO
OH so much sadness. It takes a while to say goodbye. But certainly we all have so much to be thankful for. A lot of "no" things like no war here anywya and so forth. Plus all the yes things. yes, sunshine. Hugs, Suki
Such truth and wisdom. It really is a gift to be able to appreciate the small things in life, because they aren't really so small, after all. I've been thinking about you and your boys a great deal, wishing you strength and peace and comfort.
You are a special part of my life, and for that I am extremely grateful.
xoxoxo
It IS tough to be continually grateful and upbeat - especialy when one had had a lot of difficulties.....this is something I learned last year.
But, as you have wisely stated, friends can be real life savers....even when there are thousands of miles separating you.... a true friend will know how to be there, what words to say (or not say)....
You, dear friend, have MANY friends who love you and care about you.... and you have your Boys - who adore you and live for you! You have the strength and wisdom to see that tomorrow is a new day...and on any given day - Magic DOES happen. I know you believe it. And I believe it too.
Love, always,
♥ Robin ♥
It IS tough to be continually grateful and upbeat - especialy when one had had a lot of difficulties.....this is something I learned last year.
But, as you have wisely stated, friends can be real life savers....even when there are thousands of miles separating you.... a true friend will know how to be there, what words to say (or not say)....
You, dear friend, have MANY friends who love you and care about you.... and you have your Boys - who adore you and live for you! You have the strength and wisdom to see that tomorrow is a new day...and on any given day - Magic DOES happen. I know you believe it. And I believe it too.
Love, always,
♥ Robin ♥
Sigh....yes, the "Blogger-Monster" was acting up again....
grrrrr....
♥ Robin ♥
Hi Annie,
what a lovely, reflective post. will you have a ceremony & scatter mr b's ashes? crying is good, i think... i haven't done so for some time & i feel overdue for a good cry. good to remember things to be thankful for... I particularly love "new ceramics drying on shelves & sunshine & mountains outside..."
:)
I think Blogger just ate my comment so I'll try again.
I love coming to your blog Annie. You remind me of important things that I tend to forget. I get caught up too often in the everyday stresses of life. I forget to live and experience the present. Especially difficult to do in the hard times.
You remind me. You are a diamond. xoxoxo Jos
Hugs Annie the gorgeous pendant arrived today. Thank you for the extra too. :-) Adorable!
Your work is inspiring and speaks on an emotional level. I think it reflects your aware nature an helps other people think positively and be awake to the beauty around them. You are inspiring Annie.
Hugs
I love those clouds Annie and your post too.
Here's what I believe....
whatever we focus on is what we will feel, think, believe to be true.
We do have choice... and the way to make them is to be conscious as opposed to being on autopilot.
None of us are anyone thing at any one time.... we're everything.
love to you and wishing you a happy and healthy week ahead.
x Robyn
This is so good to remember.
Babs-You are so sweet. Thank you. I am proud to know you too.xoxo
Suki-You are right. Hugs back.xoxo
Angela-Thank you, you are very special to me too.xoxo
Robin-Yes, friends are a big thing to be thankful for, and I am everyday. Love.xoxo
Becky-:-). I will one day scatter his ashes, but not just yet.xoxo
Jos-Such a joy to see you here, I miss you. Thank you for your loving and tender words. You are a diamond too, and never forget that.xoxo
Melanie-Thank you! I am so glad the pendants made it okay and that you are pleased :-). xoxo
Robyn-I totally agree with you. A happy week to you to. xoxo
Kelly-yes, it certainly is. xoxo
forgive me annie. i am late for juggle reasons this week, but please know i think of you every day and i am refreshed coming here to be reminded of what matters.
you are very wise. very brave. gutsy and spirited and talented and kind. count those in your gratitude list, because when i think of you i certainly do.
i am warmed by your comments. what wonderful people we share in our lives. thank you annie. that is my prayer for tonight.
hang in, girlfriend.
love
kj
Annie, I love my life a little bit more because I was able to read your blog post today. The practice is hard, especially during stressful times. Your willingness to love despite the hardships gives me courage to love as well.
Thank you.
Kj-You are darling. You and all of my bloggy friends are beyond wonderful. Love. xoxo
Mermaid-Thank you. You inspire me too! xoxo
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