Big thanks to Grateful Lifer and PSU gal pal, Shannon, for sharing this awesome project called Operation Beautiful!

Via the site; "The mission of Operation Beautiful is to post anonymous notes in public places for other women to find. The point is that WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL. You are enough... just the way you are!"

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! I'm gaga over it! What a cool way to spread the good vibes to fellow goddesses out there!  We tend to be so negative towards ourselves when really loving who we are is the key to loving and accepting the whole world. I mean think about it; if God wanted us all to be the same, then why are we all so different?  As my college bestie would say "Be good to yourself, you're all you've got."

I decided to take a crack at sharing the love today in my office building's woman's room and for SURE am going to be decorating many a SF restroom moving forward...(time to stock up on Post-Its, this could get crazy)....

I'm trying not to laugh in the second pic :)

Since it's 75 and sunny today in my stellar city (oh Spring, I heart you so hard I could cry) I decided to rock my new, only two-of-a-kind, hand made, amazingly vintage looking dress from Scissor Clothing.  It's incredibly comfortable and I love that it's such a unique piece!  I snagged it recently at a pop-up shop hosted by Heritage Row and it's quickly become a favorite in my closet :)

If you want to join the mission of Operation Beautiful, send an e-mail to [email protected] with a photograph of your Operation Beautiful note or a description of your experience, and it could be posted on the Operation Beautiful site!  Let me know if you send in any pics, I'd LOVE to see them!

In Gratitude that truly, I am enough just the way I am....(and you are too!)

Trish

I've been considering starting a gratitude journal for some time now (it baffles me when I have a reasonable and easily executable idea and unnecessarily stew on it...what's with the delay, home girl? Get moving!); one in which I will jot down 5 things at the start of the day and 5 things at the end of the day that I am grateful for.  I've done some reading on this and I feel that it's a great exercise in reminding yourself of all the wonderful things about your life (big and small), a solid way of starting and ending your day on a positive note (regardless of what may have happened that day) and welcoming more things to be grateful for into your life.  It doesn't *have* to be detailed (i.e. "I am grateful for my cat" totally works and is a great place to start...I'm sure your cat is bad ass) but I think the more specific you get the more you (and I) will realize just how many blessings surround us. I think it will help to open my eyes to the plethora of things I constantly take for granted.  And I like the idea of building a collection of gratitude that I can flip back to as time goes on.

Since this blog forces me to stay more dedicated to living my best life and being the best "me" possible,  I've also decided to keep a "gratitude journal" on here. I'll start with 5 today, but other days may have a list of 10 or 20 or even just one single thing. No day like today...Let's begin, shall we?

March 30th, 2011

1.  I am grateful for my shower.  I never have to wonder whether hot, clean water will come from it every time I turn it on. This morning I wanted nothing more than a hot shower and it was a wish so easily granted. I'm grateful for my sink, too. If I'm thirsty, I know I can be easily refreshed by a simple turn of a knob. In fact I think I'll go fill up a glass right now...

2.  I am grateful for my healthy, strong legs. Activities I love to do (dance, swim, stroll, explore, travel, hike, play, etc) would be so much more difficult and potentially impossible if I didn't have my healthy, strong legs.  Walking up and down the hills of SF would be a huge struggle, too! I've seen folks in wheelchairs in this city and I can't help but think "How in the hell do you manage?! I'd be splashed in the bay my first trip down Van Ness. Amazing."

3.  I am grateful for my iPod.  This sounds superficial, I realize, but it keeps me company during many a moment.  Music is a huge part of my life and the fact that I can take my favorites with me anywhere or anytime I want is a much loved blessing.  And since I'm thanking music, I might as well thank my hearing.  Hearing- I love you.  Please don't ever fade. 

4.  I am grateful to be true friends with my sister.  I'm grateful for her for a million reasons (that alone could be an entire months worth of gratitude journaling!), but I'm especially grateful right now that I can honestly consider her a friend.  If I wasn't related to her, I would still love for her to be a best friend. This is not the case for all families. My life would have been significantly less fun growing up if we weren't so connected and my life would be significantly less wonderful now if she weren't a part of it. She is love personified in the form of Laura Belle Jones Wiggly Jiggly Butt.

5.  I am grateful for my sister's boyfriend.  I am grateful for the love and kindness he extends to her, for the playfulness they embody with one another and for the effort he puts forth in having a relationship with me. I am grateful every time I see them together and know that my sister is 100% comfortable being herself with him.  I couldn't hope for anything more for her.  I can't believe I'm admitting this so publicly...but I consider him family.

What would be on your gratitude list today?  Would anyone like to journal with me for a few months and then maybe do a journal exchange?  I like the idea of sharing gratitude thoughts across the globe :)

Love and Light,

Trish

During our company retreat this past weekend one of my fellow Weeblys pointed out that I laugh....a lot.  At first I was nervous that perhaps I too often burst into fits of giggles.  Do I sound like a crazy person laughing so much? Is there no credibility to my character because I come off as a silly ninny? Does it seem like I don't take life or people or myself seriously? Yikes.

And then I realized the only crazy thing happening right then was the fact I was doubting how amazing it is to laugh. I don't think I could change this part of my personality if I worked on it for the rest of my life. I literally can't help myself.  Like I say in the home page to this blog; I'm serious about living, but don't take myself too seriously. The sillier the moment, the more inclined I am to partake in major giggle o'clock. It's practically a reflex.  As Natalie Portman's character, Sam, says in one of my favorite movies, Garden State; "If you can't laugh at yourself, life's gonna seem a whole lot longer than you like."

Random silly things that made me giggle this month...

- My coworker to me: "I went to Golden Gate Fields this weekend...bet on a horse named Crazy Tricia. She lost. I blame you."  (I love that there is a horse named Crazy Tricia in San Francisco.  I love that Adam bet on her because of me.  And I kinda love that she lost.)

- I had a chat with a Comcast rep via LiveChat named Jesus Jr that made me giggle at my desk....

"Jesus Jr: As your service representative today, I want you to know that your satisfaction is of my top most priority and I assure you that we can resolve the issue together on this chat, Tricia."

NICE! Little Jesus will take care of my issues as a top priority. There's nothing he and I can't resolve together via chat! Phew, suck it rest of the world. Thanks Lil' J.

- My good college buddy called me the other day but when I picked up the phone and said "Hi Jimmy!!" all I heard in response was heavy breathing.  Standing in the office stairwell I was then oddly inclined to hug myself and say "hello?" (I mean it was some seriously eerie heavy breathing).  Finally I heard his voice say "Hello?!" and we both erupted into laughter over the fact that he couldn't hear me, either, and even thought to himself "I wonder if she can hear me...I'm breathing kind of heavy...".  Oh man, just typing that story out has me giggling.

- 4 little Weeblys squeezed into a photobooth last week and I can't stop giggling at it. Man I have a fat head :)

Laughter is the best.

In Giggle Gratitude,

Trish

I got back from an AWESOME company retreat in South Lake Tahoe last night and can't wait to share some photos and travel gratitude asap....but until I get it all organized and my routine back on track, here's a little FFT sent to me as snail mail a few weeks ago from my best friend to hold you over....

The bottom reads; "I felt my heart rise in gratitude"

Does she know me well or what?

Light and Love,

Trish

I wanted to do a brief follow up to this post on manifesting good in your life, so  please bare with me as I embrace my hokey side (again) for a moment...

Yesterday the good vibes were flowing at the office as we received amazing official news.  I am so blessed to work for this company, for people who truly are above and beyond generous to their employees, and with folks whom I admire and deeply respect.  I am incredibly fortunate to love my job and I send heaps of gratitude into the Universe every day for this fact (you hear me, Universe? I'm totes grateful).  I also acknowledge that I have this job for a number of reasons...one of them being because I manifested it.  As soon as I heard they may be in the position to hire someone for a new role I felt in my gut this was the career for me.  I wanted it so badly I could taste it.  I never stopped picturing myself working here, I never doubted that I would be a part of this team.  I let myself feel things like relief and excitement when affirming to myself that I already had the job.  And relief and excitement I indeed felt when I got the call telling me "we'd like to offer you the position".  I am so proud of the work this group of individuals does; I'm so proud to be a Weebly!

I love that my coworker just so happened to snap this picture of the exact moment I looked at my bank account for the first time since receiving the additional funds:

I believe I'm trying not to cry while saying "Oh my gosh...." :)

I'm begging all of you to consider, even for a moment, what it would feel like to have your best life manifested.  I truly understand how it may seem silly to do things like practice affirmations and visualize scenarios and let yourself feel emotions for moments that haven't happened yet; but if you've ever felt like your best life is just out of your reach...can you really afford not to at least try?

In Gratitude Galore,

Trish

My darling and dear friend gifted me this magnet a few days ago.  He's moving to another country this week and I'm admittedly going to miss him...very much. He has become a great man in my life and I am grateful for our experiences together, our adventures shared, our tears cried (well, on my end, he's not much of a weeper), our lessons learned and our hours of giggles, chuckles and knee-slapping-snort-laughing.  People really do come into our lives for a reason; they can change us, mold us, push us and help us grow if we are open to it.  If we are open to them.  If we are open to the fact that yes, we may become unglued...but we also may have the time of our lives.  I'm grateful to have been open with him.

And like our favorite columnist Ms. Carrie Bradshaw says, "Seasons change, so do cities. People come into your life and people go, but it's comforting to know: the ones you love are always in your heart and if you're very lucky, a plane ride away."

As far as the wonderful magnet goes...

It's so true, isn't it?  If we took the time to sit and listen to our true selves every day...if we focused on the center of our beings...we could see so clearly who we really are and where we hope our lives will take us. Fear and doubt so often have a way of creeping up into my life and making me question this little voice of mine, of making me feel like I'm far more "lost" than I really am.  For me, it's important to remember that putting anything after the statement "I am" is actually quite limiting. There are limitless possibilities for my life...for my being.  Why box myself into a few categories when I can float from moment to moment, present in my surroundings, celebrating the fact that I, simply, *am*?  This alone is a miracle and a blessing.  This alone is an answer worth discovering.  The path may change a thousand more times, and that's OK, so long as I always come back to who I am.

Jason Mraz keeps a fabulous blog filled with gratitude and love and wonderful amounts of hokeyness.  In a recent post he writes;

"We're not here for a long time. We're here for a good time. My Uncle Tommy told me that and it resonated in a way that reminded me This Is It. Life is a constant pattern of remember forget, remember forget. The tools I rely on to keep me awake are everything from seminars to street art, audacious parties to positive articulation, retweets to sweet foods, music as prayer, and sweating as a form of showering. I've seen many ideas born and many ideas perish. I've lost close pets and relatives to the untimeliness of passing. and I've known kids and cancer alike and at present the score seems to be even. Thereby I choose death just as I choose rain. It simply is - and it is so. And just as I acknowledge I am - I let go."

Cheers to finding the answer within (which has totally been there all along).

Love and Light,

Trish

FOUND IT! Yahoo!! High kick!! Beginners hip-hop, woot!! Check it off my list :)

Cold and rainy Saturday inspired me to get my lazy ass out of bed and finally make good on my promise to check out a class at ODC Dance.  I've found that when those rare moments come along where you say to yourself "you know, today is the day I could..." ya gotta grab them.  Cling to them.  Tie those suckers down and say "it's just me and you little moment, we're making the most of this!" They are truly fleeting and it is so easy to get sucked into day to day routine and think "maybe another day..." when really today is THE day. Today is the only day we have. When the motivation/inspiration hits me like this, I'm so grateful I'm living today to seize the opportunity.

I loved the class basically from the moment I entered.  For one thing, it was the most eclectic mix of students I'd ever seen in a studio; teenagers, soccer moms, skinny girls, chubby boys, men old enough to be my dad and men old old enough to be my GRANDFATHER (I'm not kidding), short, tall, brown, white.  It became apparent early on that many of these folks were regulars as the instructor, Micaya, knew them by name (new goal; have Micaya know me by name).

I toss my things into the pile on the bleachers, find an open spot on the huge studio floor and am immediately filled with energy and excitement. The beats start blasting and the class begins...

"Hey all!! Welcome, welcome, welcome...so glad to have you here! Man, some days you just feel it, you know? Some days you just gotta DANCE. Today is one of those days for me...it's gonna be epic.  I'm declaring this space a drama free zone; no stress, no worries, no judgment, no ego...no radiation!" (Probably too soon for a Japan joke...but we all still chuckled) "You ready?! Let's move!"

And move we did.  Holy sore muscles today.

When I tell you that every person in the class gave every move their every effort...I'm serious.  No one cared what they looked like.  No one meekly followed along, hoping not to make a fool of themselves.  It took me a few minutes to get out of my own head, mildly consumed with how rusty I felt/looked, but by the end of the class I was miles ahead in letting go of my ego than when the music first started.  I still feel I was a little more skinny-white-girl-cheerleader than bad-ass-hip hop performer....but baby steps, right? I loved watching women twice my age get into the moves, release all inhibitions and dance with their whole hearts...their whole beings.

At one point during the lesson Micaya showed us a move, had us imitate, then began applauding and laughing. "Well, you all did that wrong! But you know what I've learned? You've gotta celebrate failure! Failure is it, you know?  Failure is how we grow and learn and dance is no exception...we all have to start somewhere and stumble along.  Let's celebrate that failure and try again!!" 

This woman was exactly what I needed.

By the end of the class I was a complete sweaty mess.  My hair was matted in ways I couldn't repeat with an entire bottle of gel. My face was completely makeup-less and beat red...and I didn't care. I had stretched my muscles in ways they hadn't been stretched in months (side note: I was thrilled to learn I can still do a bridge...my lower back now hates me a bit...but I didn't break in half or give birth to something. Winner!) I was exhausted and exhilarated. I had no idea how much I missed expressing myself through the art of booty dropping and I have to admit; it made me a little sad to know I had been depriving myself of a real mind, body, soul passion for pretty remedial reasons.  That behavior officially stops now.

Right after leading a calming cool-down Micaya sat cross legged on the floor with us and said "I'm so grateful you all came out today.  I'm grateful every time I walk into my class and see people ready to move with me, but I'm especially grateful on days like today--it's cold and rainy and you all still got here. You made it here. You showed up.  That's so awesome and I'm so, so grateful."

Ahh, a grateful gal after my own heart.

I walked down the stairs to exit the facility, pausing at the reception desk to slap down my credit card.  "Can I buy your 12 class package?" $120 later and I've got myself a dance class.  I'm so ready to push myself.  I'm so ready to fail, look silly. To treat my body to the exercise it needs and deserves. 

I'm ready to show up.

In love, light, gratitude, twirls and back bends,

Trish

If you haven't purchased the new Adele CD yet....well, for one thing, you're crazy.  For another, you're completely missing out on a soul feeding musical journey that will fill your insides with every emotion she projects out of that sultry voice.  This ginger biscuit is so beautiful to me.  I'm completely in love with this video of her doing a *live* recording in her home; what she says at the start, how stunning she looks, how lovely she sounds, how obvious it is she is really *in* it when she sings. 

I dare you not to be moved.

Nothing compares, 
No worries or cares, 
Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made, 
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

In Gratitude,

Trish

A few years ago during my first stint living in the Bay Area I stumbled upon a darling winery in Half Moon Bay called La Nebbia on one of my many all-by-myself adventure days.  My adventure days are some of my favorite days; just me myself and I exploring a new area with only a book, my ipod and a snack in tow.  On super brave days I don't bring anything and work to be present without any distractions. I've taken many a pal to this little adventure day discovery and was thrilled to share my secret spot with my good friends Jenny and Zack yesterday.  Cheers to great friends and all-by-myself adventures becoming joint adventures!

The winery is small and charming, sweet and quietly tucked into a pretty hillside. Only a few miles away is the stunning California coastline with beaches and sweeping views of the Pacific ocean.  The wine is great, the snacks they serve are great (they make a garlic mustard to die for) and the gorgeous garden seating area is so beautifully peaceful.  Tastings are only $5 and you get to keep the glass! But my favorite part of the joint?  Doodle. 

Doodle is a chubby, sleepy barn cat with the tiniest paws and the sweetest disposition. She lets me pick her up, cuddle her, kiss her and ooh and ahh over her for as long as I want.  It's been difficult not having any animals here with me to love and care for; I've grown up around little creatures of unconditional love and I do feel a bit lacking in the furball department. They sure do help out the lonelier moments of life.

Animals are so healing to me.  They are calming, comforting and fulfilling.  They're often crazy selfless, incredibly brave, admirably forgiving and just so...easily content and happy.  It probably wouldn't hurt to emulate some of those finer qualities. I am a huge animal lover.  If I'm honest, it's part of the reason I've been struggling with the choice of whether or not to be eating meat.  I was so happy to visit my old friend Doodle (we'll have known each other 4 years this August!) and to feel the human-animal love connection waves flowing between us as if we hadn't missed a beat.  

She still comes right to me....

And we have a much needed love-fest...

She's purring like crazy in the photo of me holding her. I think I may be purring, too. 

Thanks for the snuggle, Doodle.

In Gratitude,

Trish

Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work I caught a glimpse of myself in my full length mirror post-shower. 

Whoa there Buddha belly, I thought, I know you've happily been eating well lately (as in well, this looks good...let's eat it!) but can your pants even button these days?

It went downhill from there.

I hate my thighs. I'm not sure my ass could be any bigger if it tried. If someone could just cut out from my belly to my thighs and replace it with something better I'd be a much happier camper. How can I weigh so little but look so...gross. So fat. So ugly. So disproportionate. Nothing I pick out of my closet will make this look good. I want to crawl back in bed. I want to hide every fashion magazine sitting on my nightstand with all of the pretty and skinny and cellulite free girls...actually I want to burn them...actually I want to hire their personal trainers...actually I want to meet their plastic surgeons...

And that's where the brakes came on (insert sound of screeching brakes) and I was once again reminded of a piece from Women Food and God (can you tell how much I love this book yet?);

"No matter how much you loathe yourself or believe life would be better if your thighs were thinner or your hips were narrower or your eyes wider apart, your essence-that which makes you you-needs the body to articulate its vision, its needs, its love. Inhaling your child's baby-powder-neck perfume requires flesh, nose, senses. Presence, enlightenment, insight are only possible because there is a body in which they unfold....

...Your body is the piece of the universe you've been given; as long as you have a pulse, it presents you with an ongoing shower of immediate sensate experiences. Red, salt, loneliness, heat.  When a friend says something painful to you, your chest aches. When you fall in love, that same chest feels like fireworks and waterfalls and explosions of ecstasy. When you are lonely, your body feels empty. When you are sad, it feels as if there is a Mack truck sitting on your lungs. Grief feels like tidal waves knocking you down, joy like champagne bubbles welling up in your arms, your legs, your belly. Our minds are like politicians; they make stuff up, they twist the truth. Our minds are the masters at blame, but our bodies...our bodies don't lie.  Which is, of course, why so many of us learned to zip out of them at the first sign of trouble."

Um, I'm sorry, but when did it become OK to so cruelly berate yourself at any hour, let alone at 7:45am when you should be kick starting the day on a positive note?  Would you ever let one of your friends stand in front of her/his reflection saying these kinds of things about themselves? Of course not! Of course you would step in and shower them with kind, true, loving words. Of course you would remind them of how beautiful they are. Of course your heart would ache over the fact they held such little respect for their bodies.

So why is it so impossible for us to reserve some of those kind words for ourselves? Why can we see beauty in various shapes, sizes, colors in our friends and loved ones, but when it comes to ourselves we are critics of the worst kind? Critics who pick apart, belittle and lie. Our Inner Voice can sometimes be, frankly, a real bitch.

When I got home from work I decided to apologize to my body by giving it a wonderfully soothing and healing detox bubble bath;

2 cups Epsom Salts
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
All natural Lavender bubble bath (the more bubbles, the better, in my opinion)

After soaking for 30 minutes I felt relaxed, rejuvenated and peaceful....enough to to speak slightly more kindly to my 5'4" figure;

Dear Curves, I'm so sorry. Dear thighs, I don't hate you. You are strong and you carry me through life without asking for anything in return.  Dear ass, you're not too big. You actually look pretty fabulous on a dance floor. Dear belly, you really don't Buddha out much and if you do, it's because I'm not choosing to nourish you the way you deserve. Dear body, you are my piece of the Universe and I cherish you deeply.

"In each moment of kindness you lavish upon your breaking heart or the size of your thighs, with each breath you take--God has been there. She is you." -Geneen Roth

In Gratitude,

Trish

"We weren’t born into these bodies in these lifetimes to have all the answers. We came here to learn and experience and grow. So maybe, just for now, don’t swim against the current, or try to solve the puzzle of your life. Maybe the answer is much easier and simpler. Like, “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” (Ovid, poet) - Rory Freedman


In Gratitude,

Trish

This Monday I flew back from a bridal shower in NJ (Congratulations Kelly and Chris! So much love to you both!!) and I often use my long cross country flights to do some uninterrupted introspection (I also use them to catch up on sleep...airplanes, regardless of extreme caffeine intakes, knock me out pretty much the second the engines start).  On this particular flight I began to go over a mental checklist of expenses, both current and pending.  Needless to say I then began to have a bit of a panic attack.  Had I stretched myself too thin?  Had I been too careless as of late with my finances?  Was I going to be able to continue living the life I love while also managing to pay my bills and save for the future? Was I balancing my spending and saving appropriately? A couple quick calculations on my phone did make me feel much better.  I admit I even started squirming and sweating in my seat.  Get me off this plane!, I thought, I have to run to a financial advisor immediately or I will live in poverty starting tomorrow!! Funny how our thoughts tend to jump to such extremes once we are off on a mental tangent, isn't it?

Fortunately, after significantly raising my blood pressure, I was able to slowly talk myself out of the spiral without anyone else's help.  This is, admittedly, not always the case.  The mental/emotional calm-the-heck-down-you-coocoobird started when I looked out the window; wow, there were a lot of stars out tonight.  I've been on a thousand plane rides since childhood...have I ever seen stars so clearly out my window before? How beautiful.

Then my thoughts went something like this;

Deep breath.

One more...this time don't roll your eyes.

I am blessed with a wonderful career...a steady job you love that provides you with the means to support yourself.

I have been able to pay my bills, on my own, for years...regardless of my income level.  Somehow, I always just make it work.  I will continue to always make it work.

What does Louise Hay tell you to say? "I begin now, today, to open myself to ever increasing prosperity." Ever. Increasing. Prosperity.

Then I began to picture my debts being erased.  I pictured myself clicking 1, 2, 3 on my online accounts and seeing every balance become $0.00.  I pictured my savings growing.  I thought of how it would feel to see both the $0.00 debt balance as well as a boost in my savings.  I actually allowed for waves of relief and excitement to wash over me as if it were happening that very moment.  Every positive thought I was having was resonating in deeply personal ways; in my gut, I knew them to be true.  The panic attack ceased for the remainder of my trip. I watched 4 episodes of Holly's World and 1 episode of Californication (that show has boobs in every episode and man was it awkward with the dude sitting next to me peering over at my screen at the worst times...). Then I passed out til touchdown.

When I landed in San Francisco I was alerted to a number of texts/emails/voice mails I'd missed during the flight (excuse me for being so popular). One of which ended up giving me a piece of financial news.  Though I can't/won't share the exact details, I will say the following;

1. It was completely and utterly unexpected. A definite out-of-left-field moment.
2. It was completely "undeserved" in terms of me having taken no specific steps to earn it. I'd literally done nothing outstanding to suddenly be receiving such news (though I'll chalk it up to good karma).
3. It will do exactly what I had pictured on the plane; pay off my debts and boost my savings...almost to the very cent I imagined. Can you believe that? To the very cent.

I was shocked.  But then again....I wasn't.

Today I read another old CrazySexyLife post that confirmed the practice of affirmations. To get a simply laid out explanation of this practice, check out this post by Danea Horn on Affirmations.  For (hopefully) obvious reasons, I especially enjoy #5:

"5. Begin with gratitude.
If you are still having a difficult time convincing yourself of a reality that is only in your mind, begin with looking at your life as is. Make a list of all of the things for which you are currently grateful. Sincere gratitude is an affirmation. Start by recognizing and giving thanks now to attract more things to be thankful for in the future."

Is this post hokie enough for you, yet? Keep reading.

Here's what I know (yes, what I *know*, not just believe): Our thoughts, prayers and affirmations are powerful. The wavelengths of the Universe (or God or whatever else you may call it/talk to) are powerful...and they are waiting for your positive thoughts to guide them into giving you the kind of life you deserve and desire. I know that if we act out of love and kindness, great things will come our way.  I know that in saying my affirmations and boosting my self esteem by choosing thoughts that compliment my goals I don't have to know the exact route/steps needed to get there...if I believe them to be true, then that's all that I need to manifest them. It's never too late to start this practice.

Just when you feel super silly for talking to yourself and repeating positive thoughts...repeat them again.  Pardon my language, but manifest the shit out of your life.  I am living proof that it works. Infinite possibilities are waiting for you :)

In Gratitude,

trish

Once upon a time I fulfilled a life list item and was on a little episode of a now canceled NBC medical drama called Trauma...(for photos and a description of my experience, visit my old blog post on it here; http://trippedontheurge.blogspot.com/2009/10/life-list-victim-on-crime-showcheck.html )

I was recently reminded of my 3 day shoot and .30 secs of fame when my buddy sent me this article pertaining to the very set that I filmed on for 3 days; http://gizmodo.com/#!5776705/no-one-was-hurt-in-this-google-maps-plane-crash

So cool!! What a great experience that was and totally funny that people thought it was an actual crash (the set was genuinely very realistic!)...

And since I was reminiscing about this fun time I decided to show you a little video put together by another buddy of my cameos in the episode (if you can spot me, prepare to be in hysterics...FYI I have blonde hair and am wearing a blazer):

In Gratitude for this fabulous life list accomplishment,

Trish

I love a list.

I came upon this list of lessons learned in 2009 while I was perusing some archive blog posts on one of my favorite sites, CrazySexyLife. It's beautifully, humorously and dead-on-honestly written by Diana Mrazikova.

"1. I can go six weeks without eating sugar.
2. I never want to do that ever again.
3. Saying what you mean and meaning what you say can be scary sometimes.
4. Speaking the truth gets a little easier each time you do it.
5. Traveling is magical, inspiring, and life-changing.
6. Traveling is challenging, confronting, and miserable.
7. It is nearly impossible for me to sleep with someone and not develop intense feelings for him.
8. Unless I’m traveling and leaving the country the following day. Then it’s just plain fun.
9. I can pee perfectly into a cup, while driving (cruise control on a highway), and not spill a drop.
10. Unless I pee so much that the cup gets filled—and I don’t realize it—and the cup runneth over.
11. I could blame the pee-smell in my car on my dogs.
12. I prefer to just tell the truth and laugh about it.
13. Giving my heart to someone who hasn’t earned it is foolish and painful.
14. Being open and vulnerable and jumping in with both feet is laudable. (However, it too may be foolish and painful.)
15. There are few things more terrifying than karaoke.
16. There are few things more liberating than karaoke.
17. A woman’s chemistry can make her crazy.
18. A man’s chemistry can make her fuckin’ batshit.
19. Instincts should never be ignored.
20. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell where your instincts start and your baggage stops.
21. Regret is a waste of time.
22. I struggle with time management.
23. I’m afraid love may not exist the way I want it to.
24. I couldn’t give up on love if I tried.
25. I will likely learn all of this all over again in 2010 (except the pee-spilling thing—lesson learned)."

Naturally I was then inspired to write a list of 25 Things I've learned in the past year myself;

1. I like peas. A lot.
2. I also really like mangoes...but can only eat them in small bites. Weird.
3. It's hard to balance being self-less and selfish (and yes, selfish is sometimes necessary).
4. Your actions always have consequences. Be prepared to own up to them.
5. Not everyone will approve of your choices, but if they feel right for you (and come from a place of kindness-either to yourself or others), then it doesn't matter.
6. Burratta cheese is the coolest cheese on the block.
7. Causing heartache is way worse than experiencing it. That guilt is consuming.
8. You have to forgive yourself for that guilt or you will actually *be* consumed (no good will come from that).
9. Sometimes you just have to move on. One step at a time counts.
10. Music is...everything. I would be empty with out it.
11. I don't actually need much "stuff" to function in daily life. Living lighter feels a.maz.ing.
12. Never bull shit your friends. Frankness and honesty serve them much better in the end than always playing the agreeable role.
13. Living by the sea is a must.
14. "Fun"employment should be a must for everyone at some point in their lives. Working multiple "easy" part-time jobs will make you appreciate so much.
15. Tattoos are, in fact, mildly addicting.
16. Jealousy will rot your insides.  Let it go. There is enough for you, too.
17.  I might make a bad ass mom someday.  We'll see...
18. Old people rock. Enjoy them. Learn from them. Don't be scared to inevitably be one.
19.  I'm a bit of an emotional masochist. It's time to knock that shit off.
20. My younger sister probably should have been born first. She is far wiser than me. (sister-how did you get so wise?)
21. Attention, Affection and Appreciation are the roadside assistance tools for relationships.
22. I am worthy of a great love.
23. Someday I will really believe and accept nothing less than said love.
24. Gratitude will open you up to a more fulfilling life.
25. I usually have no idea what I'm doing or talking about. My pants are loose from flying by them so often.

Oh...

26. Karaoke is my biggest fear.

In list making Gratitude,

Trish

My friends bestow wisdom upon me constantly.  Sometimes it's intentional during a necessary and much needed heart to heart. Sometimes it's more casual; a passing thought that strikes me in a certain way. As much as possible I try to absorb their words. I keep a shoebox full of select cards, letters, notes, doodles, etc that I call my "Cheer up!" box, I jot down sentiments in my various notebooks, I cut and paste online conversations and save them on my computer. I guess you could say I'm a bit of an advice/quote/life theories pack rat.  I can't help myself...Food For Thought gets me every time. Plus, as The Happiness Project taught me, there's no harm in building a happiness savings account of sorts for those day when you're a little low on happiness funds :)

Some FFT I was reminded of today...

"No matter where you go and what you do - you will not only impact the people you meet, but you take a little piece with you...and I think that's the true meaning of being fearless - not being afraid to let people impact you as much as you impact them. Be open."

A thought introduced to me by a friend that really stuck with me (I've mixed in my own voice to his original sentiment...it's a bit of an idea love child, which is kind of fitting for our dynamic);

People often use the expression 'life is short!' as a rallying cry to seize the day and every opportunity presented to them. While I agree that each passing day is an adventure, a chance to be grateful, I have come to realize that...if you're lucky...life can also be long. There is time to adjust and make changes. You don't have to get it right the first time, every time. So I say be boldened by the combination of these notions; cherish every moment..live them fully..and then find peace and courage in knowing that tomorrw brings a fresh start.

"Pay attention and listen to your True Self-- all along the way--she will guide you into the best life for you."

"Take the time to really get to know yourself, warts and all.  Be gentle and kind to yourself.  No one ever grows from negative self comments.  The world beats us up enough, we don't have to help!!!!  Surround yourself with things you love and don't be afraid to be alone.  It's only then that you can really know what you want and need.  Listen to that still small voice that whispers to you.  The earlier you hear it the better chance it has at not becoming a scream!"

In Gratitude for the wonderful people in my life and the FFT they provide,

Trish