GRATITUDE - November 18, 2013 -  Inspiration from the Source: Gratitude is at the core of happiness. I woke up giddy with joy and love this morning. The first thought I had was "thank you for this day." The first thing I said to my partner this a.m. was "thank you for last night, for yesterday, and for loving me." And the first thing he said to me was, "Thank YOU!" 

I made it through the worst day of my year, November 17, with minimum emotional upheaval. It happened, but it was listened to, understood and forgiven. I thank the universal powers that be for allowing me some peace on a day when I am usually untouchable and made of a very fine, easily broken, spun out of control - glass. I felt more like crystal yesterday - with a lot of lead in the mix.

I thank the G-man for remembering. This is the first time in many years he set his clock to it and was ready for it. So as I thank the universe, I know that the physical being that most needs my thanks, is my dear friend of 30 years - for his understanding, for his listening and for his forgiveness. If there's anything the last few months have taught me - it's to make sure that on each day I express gratitude for the amazing, weird and wonderful gifts that I have been given. Gavin is one of the weirdest. ;-)

Gavin and I only took three vows when we got married. We'd seen too many relationships fall apart because of unrealistic, traditional, romantic, and consequently - broken - vows. So we decided to KISS (keep it simple stupid). Since that's all we wrote - the pressure to follow through in these three areas is really on. Try to understand, strive not just to hear, but to listen, and to forgive each other when we screw it up. We have lasted a long time. 

What we have found though, is that it doesn't matter if you do all of these things - understand, listen and forgive - but if you do not also express gratitude - eventually it stops working. Somehow if recognition is not paid, if thanks is not given, the other three are too shallow to hold it all together. "Thank you" is actually more of a stimulant than "I love you." I say it much more now than the other. I can assure you it gets better results.

So today, I say to the universe, to YOU and to the spy who loves me - "Thank You." I am filled with joy, with love, with weird voices and with your presence. I am incredibly grateful.