I am not the most religious person, although spiritual, not-so practicing Catholic but aspiring to be better—I have certainly seen and done too many things that I would like to forget. Even so, Thanksgiving has came and went. I spent the day cooking, reveling in the family time and eating my weight in potatoes, turkey, stuffing and gravy. I napped. Twice. Therefore having a little trouble falling asleep, early on Friday morning. As I reflect, sleepless in Orange Park….I am entirely blessed and grateful for my life and surroundings. Sometimes I cannot believe this is my life. I have worked hard admittedly, but others have worked just as hard for me. My support network is wide, strong and giving. I pray sometimes for example, in the past few weeks for our dear close family member. To heal, to improve, and our prayers were answered. The power of these blessings, the overwhelming support and humbling nature of others has hit me like a ton of bricks. Or, like a hot shot drill of peppering me with shots of hard hitting lacrosse balls when I use to stand in goal. I would never see that coming by the way, always when I least expected that drill. To test my reaction speed and time. Is that why we are conditioned, prepared, is that why we pray, study, meditate, love unconditionally, to prepare ourselves for….. ? The unknown? To be the most prepared as possible. or is it are we waiting for the other shoe to drop….I hate to think so. As I go through life I believe in the power of this preparation. I believe in the strength of others around me, I believe in the power of having faith, I believe in the ability of being humbled, susceptible, and gracious for specific tangible things, but also generally the ideas of positivity that keep me going. Hope. This keeps me going. Belief that things can improve, being grateful on more than one day a year. And Understanding. That I can always keep learning, progressing and working on myself. That’s the key to happiness folks, that I take away. Not just the thoughts of an early morning, or the results of a pot of tea with lots of black loose leaf tea involved in my lack of sleep….but that desire. Keep that spark and inspiration strong in your life, the happiness and positivity will follow. Following this post are some favorites of mine from Thanksgiving day with the family, and Chloe…:)

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