Attitude of Gratitude

Facebook has this lame thing right now where people write 25 random things about themselves and tag other people so they will tell you 25 random things about themselves as well. And even though normally wouldn’t fill out something I think is lame, for some reason this totally resonated with me. I feel like I never take the time to slow down to think (too much work, #17), and this seemed like a very nice first step. I posted this list on my facebook and now it is here too.

1. I love to read everything and anything. My favorite book right now is The Time Traveler’s Wife. I’ve read it numerous times and I cry every time (I seriously cannot help myself.). I am currently reading A New Earth (Tolle) and The Blind Watchmaker (Dawkins).
2. ESTJ.
3. I have visited every continent except one. Which one have I not visited?
4. I love food. Period. Many of my happiest memories involve good food and good friends.
5. My friends are hugely important to me and I see them as my family. I truly feel like I have the best friends in the entire world (thanks you guys!!)
6. I make New Year’s resolutions every year and most of them come true. I truly believe that just by writing them down that they come true. You know, being in your consciousness all year round, and all.
7. I am generally lucky. The first time I paid bingo I won $500.
8. Nature makes me joyous and happy. I like small things like fallen autumn leaves or looking at snow covered mountaintops on a crisp, clear day.
9. 2009 will be the best year of my life so far. I’m at a crossroads, and I’m choosing wisely.
10. My favorite three places on earth, so far, are China, Egypt and Greece. I cannot wait to get to India and go on a safari in Africa (I hate you, Dan :-P ), both of which I intend to do soon.
11. Music rules me. It has the ability to pull me up or bring me down. I am always looking for more music.
12. I played clarinet in high school and was the flag corp captain my senior year. I think that probably makes me pretty dorky.
13. I am a cat person.
14. I like to have a clean windshield and clean mirrors. I feel like they are a reflection of your soul.
15. I love lighting lots of candles all over the house. Somehow they make me feel calm.
16. I sometimes (okay, MANY times) cry during movies. I love that and wouldn’t change it. It is one of the things that reminds me I’m human.
17. I work way too much and plan to incorporate more balance into my life starting right this minute!
18. I believe that you can influence the direction your life takes just by thinking about what you want. When you tell the universe what you want those things come to you. Thoughts become things, so think wisely!!
19. I am passionate about everything and anything I do. I think life is exciting!
20. I once took dance lessons as a way get over a guy. In return I got a new boyfriend, and I can now dance swing and salsa pretty darn good.
21. I try not to regret anything in life. I choose to see challenges as some sort of opportunity to learn a life lesson.
22. I think about my granddad a lot, and many times feel he is watching over me. He used to help me cheat during Easter egg hunts. I still smile when I think of him. 
23. I flew over 100k miles in 2008. Even with that, I still get a feeling of delight when I watch planes take off. To me, it spells adventure!
24. I keep moving farther and farther north. Now I live in Boston where it is bitterly cold but I refuse to complain because even with the cold it is clear and sunny. Unlike Amsterdam where it rained every day and made me crazy!
25. I don’t usually take the time to do things like this, but for some reason it felt important for me to take the time to do this one.