• A message of thanks

    Posted on December 15th, 2010 Saver Queen 7 comments

    img_11951In my last post, I blogged about feelings of perfectionism and my ambivalence towards the Christmas season.  Since writing that post, I have reflected more on my consistent sense of gratitude that has kept me grounded through an otherwise flustering, busy time. Consumerism threatens to overpower us each winter, but ah, what a joy it is to retreat inward, quietly, and reflect on non-commercial gifts.

    Over the last year and a half, gratitude has been a particularly fundamental building block of my personal pursuit of happiness.  Since losing my parter, common themes on this blog have been gratitude for my apartment, my family, my Butternut, and for the earth – the sky, the trees, the air.  But as I reflect on the last year, what I am particularly grateful for today are the people around me.  Most of them are newcomers to my life.  And they are incredibly important to me, because for a long time, my loyal readers will know, I have been searching out of isolation for a sense of community.  ”Community”… I have used the word so frequently on the blog but haven’t often defined it.  But I have considered what this really means, and I think for me, when I use the word “community”, what I am really hoping to describe is a sense of belonging, a sense of being cared for, the ability to rely on and depend on other people, interdependence and cooperation.  Feelings of shared values, shared joys, shared passions, and the sense of working towards shared goals.  It’s about mutual support, coming not just from one direction, but from multiple directions and sources.

    Although I am still seeking to become more deeply connected with my city and community, I dare say that I now finally feel a strong sense of connection and interdependence with many other people in my life.  And it is indeed thanks to the many people who have shared something of themselves with me, and shown me kindness and respect and have placed their trust in me.

    Because I can’t name names on this blog, I would like to instead open up my gratitude to saying “thank you” to anyone who has done any of the following things for me in the last year:

    Made me laugh; Taken care of Butternut; Helped me move; Trusted in me; Asked me for help; Made me soup; Made me soap; Asked me how I am and genuinely wanted to know the answer; Shown up at my apartment when I haven’t answered your calls to make sure that I’m okay; Encouraged me to take care of myself or love myself; Reassured me; Shared your story with me; Thanked me for the work I do; Believed in me; Taken a chance on me; Surprised me with a gift; Listened to me, and listened without judgement or motive; Made a (solicited or non-solicited) donation to the agency where I work; Checked in on me when I was sick; Pushed me to go further on the climbing wall; Forgiven me when I’ve made a mistake; Told me I am beautiful; Accepted me and appreciated my differences; Shared your home or your family with me; Cooked me a meal; Brought me a Tim Horton’s coffee in the morning; Made me think; Inspired me with your passion for the planet, for science, for community-building or with your efforts to make this world a better place to live in. Did I mention, made me laugh?

    The difference to my quality of life that all of these people have made is immeasurable.  So, to my colleagues, my friends, my family, my readers, my yoga instructors, and to the participants and volunteers at work, and all the people who make up my “community,”  thank you.

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    7 responses to “A message of thanks”

    1. Gail December 16th, 2010 at 07:07

      You are such a lovely woman. Having travelled a somewhat rocky road over the past few years, look at how fabulous things have turned out for you. And through it all, you kept sharing, kept letting us see the YOU that is so special and so sweet. I send you the warmest wishes for this season, along with a huge hug. And I’m hope I was one of those who made you laugh!

    2. Gail December 16th, 2010 at 07:07

      You are such a lovely woman. Having travelled a somewhat rocky road over the past few years, look at how fabulous things have turned out for you. And through it all, you kept sharing, kept letting us see the YOU that is so special and so sweet. I send you the warmest wishes for this season, along with a huge hug. And I hope I was one of those who made you laugh!

    3. psychsarah December 16th, 2010 at 11:15

      What a beautiful definition of community-you’ve done a wonderful job fulfulling that definition with this blog. You are a kind soul, who I feel priveleged to have gotten to know both on-line and off. Thank you for keeping gratitude and simplicity at the top of my mind. It certainly makes my life better.

    4. Catherine December 16th, 2010 at 17:33

      Thank you for being you. For sharing your thoughts here, your feelings, and opening my eyes up to so many things that I was taking for granted. My gratitude is much closer to the surface – because of you and who you are.
      I’ve enjoyed reading you here and spending time with you in person. You are a lovely young woman with much to offer those around her. Your beauty shines through.
      I wish you joy, peace and much love over the holidays and through 2011!

    5. Saver Queen December 16th, 2010 at 23:34

      Thank you SO much, Gail, Psychsarah and Catherine! You are sooo kind. Thank you, to all 3 of you, for your support throughout my blogging history. It’s been a pleasure to get to know all of you!! And Gail, yes, you have definitely made me laugh, but as you know, much more – you’ve helped me make my own happiness a priority and set goals to get myself where I really wanted to be.

    6. Nancy December 20th, 2010 at 09:36

      What a beautiful post, and so timely. Listing all the ways one is grateful is such a worthwhile exercise. It deepens and expands the feeling, opens the heart even wider. Thank you! I will take the time to create my own gratitude list and share it with the people I love.
      I always say that if we have one prayer in our hearts, make it a prayer of thanks. Here is a quote I came across today to add to this wonderful reflection.
      “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude”.- Denis Waitley

      Merry Christmas SQ and many blessings to you now, and always…

    7. 2010 wrap up @ Saver Queen January 4th, 2011 at 00:06

      [...] – Making some amazing friends (too varied to mention here, but no doubt they have contributed to the highlights – see “a message of thanks“!) [...]

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