Twenty-seven years ago today, in sweltering Florida heat, my mom gave birth to a tiny version of me. The older I get, the more I appreciate the weight of that statement. A little Leo, a tiny lion born in the raging summer heat.
I wish she were here to celebrate along with my friends and I, but leaving taught me the most important lesson I’ve learned to date: celebrate what you have right now. To that end, for the rest of my birth year, rain or shine, crummy day or no, I’m going to express my appreciation to at least one person (whether in blog form or IRL). Giving thanks, showing how much I appreciate people in my life and the work they do, that’s one mission for my twenty-seventh year. Something tells me this single change to my daily routine will make a big difference.
{I also happen to believe you can learn much about a person by discovering the company they keep, I’m lucky to be in good company daily.}
Appreciations | How it Works:
This idea actually came out of a practice I used to have with Paul (he’s on the list). For months, at the end of the work day we’d say three things we appreciated about the other person from their contributions during the day. Seems like a simple practice, but sometimes, if you’re in a self-absorbed mode or don’t think you have anything nice to say to the other, it is a real challenge. The people you’re going to read about/see here spring to mind as people in my current lifestream that touch me, that inspire me. People I’m deeply thankful for. Today I’ll share the first 27, but check back as the list will grow by the day…(and is in no particular order)…
Consider this my alternative to a blogroll (each header is a link to the person’s blog if available)…an Appreciation Roll!! It will be linked to in the sidebar so even if it’s not on the front page of the blog, you can access it.
I appreciate:
Joel, thank you for being brave and honest, showing the way, supporting me in anything I can dream up + for writing custom scripts that make me smile. For being my partner in love + life.
Patrick, thank you for saying “yes” in 1999, taking the leap on the studio, believing in people, forgiving others + showing me how to forgive, for being a friend in whom I can confide every time, without fail.
Paul, I admire you for your creative genius that knows no bounds (or time zones), for making me examine my beliefs closely, for calling me on my bullshit, for the thousand small joys.
4. Nunu + Bub
Nunu + Bub, I appreciate you for raising me from an eleven year old seedling to an eighteen year old bean sprout of a girl, sending a card no matter what + saying it’s okay to be you, it’s okay to be you, it’s okay and even incredible to be you.
5. Kary Rivera
Thanks for being there even when I didn’t show sometimes, caring deeply about others, growing things with + for women.
6. Laura Mayes
Laura, thank you for teasing more of me out of my shell, encouraging and caressing ideas into reality + then showing us how to present them to the world.
7. Monica Danna
Monica, many thanks for hospitality that knows no bounds, graciousness under pressure, a laugh that fills up the room, for being my friend.
Thank you, Maggie, for giving it 110%, wearing scandalous outfits that the rest of us wish we could pull off, smiling like the world could end tomorrow.
9. Rich
Rich, thank you for the reminder that art may just save us all.
10. Cordis
Cordis, thank you for going out there into the world, noticing the madness + doing it anyway.
11. Eri + Fusa
Eri + Fusa, thank you for showing up to yoga class ready to relax, making me laugh, showing me how to teach, teaching me.
12. Jake Stetser
Jake, thank you…for reaching out across the ocean, inviting me into the fold and showing us the heart + the law can coexist.
13. Ty
Ty, thank you for showing me how rad Philosophy can be. And also for that one time at The Loop many moons back, and more recently, for reconnecting.
Flickr friends, thank you for posting fantastic photos that blow me away, leaving heart-opening comments + subtly keeping me photographing daily.
15. Wayne Sutton
Wayne, thank you for reminding me why NC rocks, staying enthusiastic (somehow) pretty much 24/7.
16. Janece
Janece, thank you for sending an email out of the blue to a stranger…and making friends in the exchange.
17. Lizelle Lotter
Lizelle, thank you for taking some of the most inspiring and inspired photographs I’ve seen in my adult life and for a day of inspiration.
18. Aimee’ Oelke
Aimee’, thank you so much for leading the way in exploring a world that might have otherwise been off-limits to me, helping me get comfortable with a “girly” side.
Thank you, Kirtsy chicks, for demonstrating what a community made up primarily of women can do to change the face of the internet.
20. Neil Simon
Neil, thank you for greeting the day with a smile, a pat on the back and a great idea.
21. Kevin Cawley
Kevin, thanks for saying that one thing about moms that one time, it made a difference…and for quietly revolutionizing all things tech.
22. Veronica Belmont
Veronica, thanks for taking the time to blog about something close to my heart + then being so friendly IRL.
23. Xavier Mela
Xavier, thank you for teaching me to stop moving my hips so damn much during tango, and above all, to open my heart to a strong lead.
24. Forrest Oliphant
ForrestO, thank you for practicing tango in the living room, leading with compassion + making tiny things out of paper.
25. Tara Anderson
Tara, thank you for getting together to talk, laugh + question things hard. And for daring to do things most of us freak about. By most I mean “me.” By things I mean “going into the nature.”
26. Imelda Bettinger
Imelda, thank you for speaking truths, quietly + sometimes loudly, about life…for living with intention.
27. Mutsumi
Mutsumi, thank you for hitting a wall, once, + getting back up to discover bottomless potential…and the heights of mountains.
Those are the first 27…365-27= 338 so I have a long way to go! Join me in the journey and let’s see who and what we discover on this Appreciation Adventure!! I am truly blessed. If you decide to do your own Appreciations, please let me know, as I’d love to follow along. <3
–All photos mine except:
*Laura Mayes photo via Imelda’s Flickr stream
*Kirtsy photo via Guy Kawasaki’s Twitpic Stream
Thank you, Paul, for the birthday card at the top of this post!
