"Thank You", she whispered.

It's habit now to whisper "thank you" when I feel grateful. It comes as naturally as "bless you" when I hear a sneeze, and I'm thankful for the moment, in and of itself.

Just as creatures great and small are gifts from Heaven, so too are the blessings that come with daily living.


1. The ice cream man, every day at 3:30 sharp,
2. Hot pads,fresh brownies, and vanilla ice cream,
3. New friends...and old ones who re-appear,
4. Ethical businesses (and yes, there are still many),
5. Jeans that fit perfectly, 3 weeks out of each month, and for the pair that fit during your "off" week,
6. Comfortable shoes...
7. Ice water.
8.Good news,
9. "Bad news" that you can find a way to appreciate anyway,
10. Compliments, as awkward as they can be to accept. Accept them; they're a gift to you.
11. Cookbooks,
12. Heart shaped clouds,
13. Random acts of kindness, and the poor and humble who assist me in setting the best example possible.
14. For appreciation and compassion, the closest Sisters to Love.
15. And, for LOVE itself; Our driving force.

No power is greater, no force is more powerful.
Love IS the answer.

What is love? Love is appreciation and compassion.
Even for the little things.

Count your blessings, Sister.



(Ask not where not begin; love knows no beginning, and no end.
Simply give thanks.

Love is to the Process, what Gratitude is to your Heart.
One in being with the other).

Survive or Thrive; It's Your Choice

Pick one, then, take the other one OFF the table. It will be eliminated, and no longer be an option for you. My girlfriend and I had a conversation the other day that will not stop replaying in my mind...

The conversation went something like this:

Lanie: "We're survivors, Elle, and we're still surviving! I really have hope that things will only get better".

Me: "I cant own, "Surviving", Sister..I just cant. I survived already; that means I whooped that storms ass, rather than the other way around..I made it; now, I'm ready to Thrive".

We sat quiet for a few...Lannie and I both come from similar backgrounds, and truly, I do consider us to be survivors; aside form the biggie that both of us spent the second half of our childhoods in the foster care system, both of us have been sexually abused, both of us have had physically abusive partners, both of us work in the same field, both of us have parallel feelings towards change, the process, and the NOW...

In our NOW, and in our silence, we realized that we really are not surviving anything; We're thriving...

TO THRIVE:

: to grow vigorously : flourish

: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances.

♥

When the cashier asks, "How are you today"?

There will be no more, "Eh, survivin'".

Now respond with "Thriving, thank you, and you?"

Make eye contact..OWN WHAT YOU'VE JUST SAID ..

Allow this.

(Remember, there's not a single other option on the table...)

This is your process, your experience, and your NOW. Make this statement yours, and THRIVE.

Regardless of your circumstances. (Thriving is your birth right).



Abundant love and peace,

xo
Your Sister,

Elle