VernetteOutLoud

7 for Seven

Exams are over. I already know I have one re-sit in June next year and that’s okay. I know now where the gaps are and I know what to do to fix them.

Quick update on the challenges I am taking part in this month:
On Instagram I’m doing #DecemberReflections and that’s been fun thus far. And I am also taking part in this month’s NaBloPoMo: Joy. Now that exams are over…I can focus on writing to wind down 2014.

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and now let’s get into my 7 for this week:

Picking myself up and moving on. My first exam, first thing Monday morning was bad. Really, really bad. I left the room pretty down. And I knew that I still had two left and I needed to get my head together to ensure that I only had one re-sit and not three. So I did what needed to be done…I left everything in that exam in the room and focused only on the ones left. I’m kinda proud of my ability to do that. Really proud.

Knowing what I need to “pick myself up.” After that horrible first exam I needed a “pick-me-up”. I found this little dessert place that totally did the trick.

…and on that note Salmon burgers.

Brunch with my blogging friends. There is a ritual developing with these two totally awesome blogger chicks I know. It involves hippie market runs, brunch and really good conversations.

Team spirit Trinidad & Tobago’s national women’s football (soccer for some of you) team narrowly missed qualifying for the World Cup last Tuesday. Though we lost 1-0 to Ecuador, our girls fought hard and out-played their opponents. However, goals win matches and such is life. But they still have my 100% support going forward.

Local art. I love art. I love creating art. I especially love and have mad respect for people who find the thing that moves them creatively and do it with passion. This last week I was fortunate to attend two events which showcased local artists. Art harder people! The world needs you.

My brother. Because he listens.

And there you have it. My hope is that by turning my focus to all that I have to be grateful for at the start of my work week, by sowing my own seeds of faith and gratitude, I can carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead.

If you’re reading this, this is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire. What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? I would love to hear from you.

7 for Seven

Happy December!!!

2014 is truly on its way to being history and it has been quite a year thus far for me. I am back in exam mode this week. So today’s post will be short and sweet.

I am also taking part in a couple of challenges this month only now as I think about just how busy December gets I might have bitten off more than I can chew…but hopefully I wont choke half-way through.

On Instagram I am taking part in #DecemberReflections for the entire month. And I am also taking part in this month’s NaBloPoMo: Joy. Today I choose

My gratitude practice, this weekly 7 for Seven…this attention and witness I give to all that I have to be thankful for brings me so much Joy! It is hard to be anything but thankful. This is what I do when I am feeling down…I review my 7 for Seven and I get the whipped cream on my coffee!

So without further ado,

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and now let’s get into my 7 for this week:

Getting my coffee just right. I have coffee pretty much everyday…but some days I might get the measurements wrong for some reason and it might not taste as good. But this week I was 7 for 7 on great coffee brews.

The start of Advent. Happy New Year to those observing the Advent calendar. This is a time for introspection as we prepare for the birth of Jesus.

Business stakeholder meetings that turn into a fruitful networking opportunity. I had the privilege of being seated at a table with some fantastically awesome people. It’s mind-blowing sometimes what some people are doing right here in Trinidad.

Quality time with my family. This week my sister celebrated her birthday and my aunt and uncle also celebrated 54 years of marriage. We have so much to be thankful for. Here’s more celebrations like these.

Faith. I thank my mother every day for introducing me to God because if not for her and the example of faith she set, I don’t know what my life would be like today.

Prayer. Again this week. I had somewhat of a little ‘miracle’ happen on Sunday. I usually attend Mass at a church that is not really a “community” church. Meaning, it’s not my community. So I just attend Mass and leave. There is no socializing after Mass or getting involved in church activities. Something I have been avoiding since my mother died for a number of reasons. I was late for Mass at the church I usually go to so decided to go to the one which is right around the corner from me. Now understand, the reason I don’t go to this church is because it is a community church…so I expect it to be filled with families and everybody knows everybody kinda parishioners. I got the Mass time wrong and was about half hour too early, I was about to leave but decided to sit in the car for a bit and pray Day 2 of The Immaculate Conception Novena. While praying I decided I wasn’t going to leave and I would just go back inside the church and stay for Mass. When I got inside, the first thing I saw was an Immaculate Conception Statue. This was after praying for a sign. So there you have it.

Community churches that move my soul. I sat at the back of the church and observed a family of four – mother, daughter and two small boys. I don’t know what it was about them, but watching the boys interact with their mother and the daughter who appeared to be in her teens displaying her teenage angst, reminded me of family and two women I love and miss dearly. It was moving and while my tears reminded me why I avoid “community” churches…they also reminded me of how much love I have had in my own life and how much love I have to give.

And there you have it. My hope is that by turning my focus to all that I have to be grateful for at the start of my work week, by sowing my own seeds of faith and gratitude, I can carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead.

If you’re reading this, this is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire. What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? I would love to hear from you.

7 for Seven

I almost did not post a 7 for Seven this week. But the funny thing about developing a ritual is that, when you don’t do it…everything feels off.

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and here are my 7 positives for this week:

Snail mail greeting cards. In this day of instant everything, receiving a card in the mail is treat. I was blessed with a “just because” card in the mail and it really did happy-up my week.

Tiramisu. Because tiramisu.

Business meetings over coffee. There really isn’t any other way to discuss business.

Quality time with the sis. Sisters are built-in besties and I am blessed to have the very best bestie.

Listening ears. Sometimes you just need someone to listen and most times when I do, God sends someone…and when He doesn’t…He wants me to talk to Him.

Prayer. Because nothing brings me more comfort these days.

Music that moves my soul. This weekend we celebrated the feast of Christ the King and quite by accident I came across this version of Hosanna and it has been playing since. I love it!

And there you have it. Short and pretty sweet. My hope is that by turning my focus to all that I have to be grateful for at the start of my work week, by sowing my own seeds of faith and gratitude, I can carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead.

If you’re reading this, this is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire. What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? I would love to hear from you.

7 for Seven

Boy was today a Monday-feeling Monday!

I felt like I was in a fog all day and this is with three cups of coffee. Upside is that despite fog in my brain, there is much to be grateful for.

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and here are my 7 positives for this week:

Another day. Today I want to give thanks and celebrate each and every step forward, backward, sideways even…that has brought me closer to the me I was created to be.

Sunday Lunch courtesy my sister. Working on a Sunday in never ever cool. I am blessed with a sister who not only cooks Sunday lunch like mummy used to but shares that lunch with me.

Celebrating a milestone with my cousin. Moving into your first home is always a great accomplishment, more so when you are building your dream home. My cousin hosted the family for his house-warming and it felt great to be able to share in his happiness.

Rainy days. I love the rain, it makes for sleep-ins, cuddles and hot coffee. Some of my favourite things.

There is always a way. It’s easy to fall into a funk when things aren’t going all that great, but I have been blessed in the last week with hope. Every time I thought it was time to throw in the towel, something or someone happened to shine a light on the way forward. I am keeping hope alive.

Side hustles. Here’s to side hustles becoming the main hustle. I’m working hard to make that happen and the little wins along the way keep me going.

Morning rituals. When you find that morning ritual that works for you, it really changes your life.

And there you have it. Short and pretty sweet. My hope is that by turning my focus to all that I have to be grateful for at the start of my work week, by sowing my own seeds of faith and gratitude, I can carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead. Hmmm I do feel better!

If you’re reading this, this is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire. What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? I would love to hear from you.

7 for Seven

Hello Loves!

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and here are my 7 positives for this week:

My brother. Jane Austen hit the nail on the head when she said, “What strange creatures brothers are.” Mine is the strangest, weirdest, handsomest, bestest brother I could ever ask for. We added another candle to his cake this week and I am so very grateful that God chose him to help light my journey on this earth. I am truly blessed.

Answered prayers. When you ask for something and then get confirmation from the most unexpected source that it has been answered…that. That feeling.

Random coffee dates. I love coffee. But I love having a great conversation over a good cup of coffee even more. I was blessed with both this week.

Airline ticket sales. Hello Vacation. I see you.

Sangria. Because wine.

November. Almost every day in the month of November is someone’s birthday in my family. The fact that these birthdays coincide with our Carnival which is usually celebrated exactly 9 months prior is not lost on me either. That my family loves a celebration is an understatement. Needless to say this is going to be a hectic month of festivities since last week alone we celebrated five birthdays. So cheers to the most celebrated month in my family. (FYI: My sister is also November-born.)

A gym at work. I am so grateful for the gym at work. November into Christmas into Carnival is a series of drinks, food, birthday cake…lots of birthday cake and little will-power. Thank the Lord for the gym at work to keep things balanced nicely.

And there you have it. Short and pretty sweet. My hope is that by turning my focus to all that I have to be grateful for at the start of my work week, by sowing my own seeds of faith and gratitude, I can carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead. Hmmm I do feel better!

If you’re reading this, this is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire. What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? I would love to hear from you.