#365Gratitude Day 290: Missy & I are the kind of grownups we want to be

Yesterday we went on some more adventures.  First, Missy got me up early, so she, her sister M. and I could go to the Maryland Renaissance Festival.  While I had been at work Friday, they'd even picked out an outfit for me to wear.

We had a great time.  We shopped a bit, wandered, saw entertainment, and ate us some turkey legs. 

 Afterward, when we came home, we took a long nap, and then rushed out to make Ingress badges to wear/use at an upcoming Ingress Anomaly Event we're going to go to in Virginia Beach.  Here's mine. 

What makes me grateful is that Missy loves to go on adventures, and do oddball, quirky things.  She's got a childlike heart and carefree spirit that feels so good to be around.  I love that we're like this.  It's fun to be married to her.

#365Gratitude Day 289: Interdependence

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I've long held to the belief that I am your student.  Yes, specifically you.

I am also your teacher.  Again, yes, specifically, you.

There's a term for that.  It's called interdependence.

Every day, as I move throughout it, I share experiences with other people.  They teach me things, about themselves, and myself.  

Among the things that I've learned:

• Words matter.  Being cruel to someone else in even a tiny way is significant.  It hurts them and it hurts me.
• If I love me, I can love you, too.  In fact, I have to love me first.
• It's easy to unthinkingly hurt another person.
• It's easy to unthinkingly be hurt by another person.
• Actions matter.  When you care about someone or something, it's never a waste of your time to show it, to do something about it.
• Words don't matter.  Okay, I know that I'm directly contradicting myself here.  This is possible.  Language is a tool we use, and a necessary evil.  But often it's a trap.  We get stuck on labels, meanings, and expectations derived from language.

All this is on my mind because a friend of mine wrote me this morning and told me, while blushing fiercely, that I'm sort of their hero.  They find me to be further along a path they themselves want to travel down.

It was an immense compliment, and one I thanked them for profusely.  I do take it as an honor, but not a sign of special status.  I'm no guru.  If anything, I find that each day I'm alive, I find I know less than the day before.  There's a verse of the Tao te Ching that speaks to this.  

“71

Not-knowing is true knowledge.
Presuming to know is a disease.
First realize that you are sick;
then you can move toward health.

The Master is her own physician.
She has healed herself of all knowing.
Thus she is truly whole.”

— http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html#71

I'm grateful that each day I can help others to heal themselves of what they know, and seek the wisdom of what they experience.  I'm grateful that each day, they do the same for me.

#365Gratitude Day 288: A Multitude of Sexiness

Some folks find my voice sexy.  I think that's awesome.  That's why I recorded a video log about it, and why sexiness in general is something I'm grateful for.

#365Gratitude Day 287: Feeling better is viral

So, no secret that I've been sick. I've been blathering about it for days now.

Other folks around me​ have been going through tough stuff too.

My wife and my sister-in-law have been grieving over their mom's passing. 

They both got my cold, too. When it rains, it pours. ​

​I have dear friends coping with depression, job issues, suddenly having to find a new place to live, gender dysphoria, loneliness, anxiety issues, all sorts of trouble. 

​I know things can look bleak. Sometimes it feels like life is just pressing down on you. 

But I promise, no one and nothing stays the same. In lots of little ways, life is always changing, always improving. ​

Just this morning, I went to get my car emissions inspected, and it didn't need it. Instead it needed a safety inspection. I was able to get that instead, in the same amount of time. ​

I made a train that was late for its scheduled departure, and earlier for my day. ​

On the train, I saw a woman wearing the most awesome silly pink rain boots. They made me feel so good about my day. She unwittingly shared her good feelings about this rainy day with me. Now I get to share them with you.  

Lastly, as I began writing this entry, I heard the most amazing cover of Ooh Child by Halll & Oates on the awesome podcast Coverville.  I wanted to share it with you, because the song is right. Things are gonna get better.  

#365gratitude Day 286: Better is great

I felt a ton better Monday, and it's just been getting better since. 

Image courtesy of http://ummlovetheworld.deviantart.com/art/Lots-to-feel-good-about-211194703

My lungs and nose are mostly clear.  I can smell and taste things. 

My brother Spacey says that beauty is often found in contrast. Sometimes being laid low for a while helps you see how great an ordinary day of good health is.  

I forget sometimes how very much I have. I'm grateful for the reminder.