Liv Lane | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. Amazing women. Judy for her big love, Julia for her broken heart, Jessica for her brilliant wisdom, Sherry for her kindness, Chloe’ for her generosity, Amy for her tireless charity, Tina for her grief, Andrea for her vibrant vision, Susannah for her trailblazing, Erica for her quiet, Rachel for her well-fed wisdom, Hannah for her gentle effort, Susan for her tenderhearted warriorship, Patti for her strong offerings, Stephanie for her noticing…I could go on and on.

2. My aunt’s fabric art. I received two more of her pieces recently, one from her and one from my mom. I absolutely cherish each one, feel as if I am the caretaker of a precious collection, am inspired by them to do my own creative work and feel love radiating from each one, every design, every color, every stitch.

3. Some time alone. Eric took the dogs to Lory State Park this morning, giving me about three hours of unscheduled, unplanned, and oh so spacious time alone. I need this, even more often than I’m able to get it. As a highly sensitive person, an introvert, the constant noise and presence of other beings is sometimes hard for me, to always have a radio on in the background, to sometimes have multiple noises happening at once especially if I am attempting to focus on something else, to have the constant need of another to consider, can be distracting, overwhelming, and irritating…and yet, when I’m alone, the quiet can sometimes be too much.

4. Fall Break. I only had to work one day after all, and even though I’d like a whole year off (forever?) from my current paid work, this time was such a good thing–sleeping in some days, not doing too much, extra time with Dexter, a focus and mindfulness that’s difficult when I am otherwise so busy.

5. Apple pie oatmeal. The recipe is simple, make a normal serving of oatmeal and add a few spoonfuls of apple pie. Yum!

Bonus Joy: another week with Dexter.

big d with his little d

1. Feathers and friends, reminding me that I am not alone, that I am connected and loved, which makes me stronger, happier than I would be by myself. The kind of friends who will give me a “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself” magnet for no reason (other than they love me and want me to stop being so hard on myself), who will take me out to lunch for my birthday, who email me randomly to let me know they are thinking about me, who “like” my facebook and blog posts, or who give me the most loving hard time when I don’t make it to yoga and a hug when I do.

2. Fall Break! It turns out I have so much work, so much to get caught up on that I actually have to work a day or two next week, but that didn’t stop me from feeling the full on joy of the Friday before a break as I walked to my car this afternoon to head home and walk the dogs. I let myself pretend for just a minute that I wasn’t going to come back on Monday.

3. Christmas Cactus blooms. Actually, mine are confused, because they always bloom closer to Thanksgiving, but they are gorgeous anyway, and make my paid work office a happier place.

4. The best husband, the kind who sneaks out on a cold morning and scrapes the ice off my car for me, and leaves me love notes that say things like “be nice to yourself today,” and who just wants me to be happy.