It’s the final 7 for Seven for 2014…and what a ride this has been. As Hal Borland said, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”

Here’s to 2015 and lots of new experiences and finding out who we really are!

But first (and for the last time in 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:

My gratitude practice. 2014 has been so much better because I made a commitment to pay attention to all that I had to be thankful for. This is something I will take with me into 2015 and beyond.

Surviving turbulence. My vacation officially started on Tuesday but the flight over was pretty bad. We spent most of it wearing our seat belts. Now you know there is a certain reassurance when the stewardesses still continue to serve despite turbulence. But when they are asked to take their seats and buckle up too…it’s time to start saying some Hail Marys. But we all survived and I am enjoying my vacation. Amen.

Which brings me to Love of family. I decided to do things differently this year. Instead of spending the holidays with the sibs, I decided to spend it with my Aunt and my cousins in the US. Christmas Day was a little weird but so far the change has been a welcome adventure. My family has been going all out and I cannot help but feel the love. Here’s to many more adventures of this kind.

Chipotle. Because you know it’s made with angel tears.

Good coffee. I can face anything after I’ve had my fix.

2014. So long and thanks for all the fish.”

Clean slates. Here’s to 2015. We lived to see another day! Let’s make it worth it.

And there you have it. After 50 weeks of this gratitude practice, I am pleased that having paid attention to all that I had to be thankful for and sown seeds of faith and gratitude, that I can truly carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead and well into 2015.

I wish you the very best 86,400 seconds of the last day of 2014. 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.

Happy Everything for 2015!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Or so my brother insisted as he honked up a storm at my gate early Saturday morning…I’m sure to the annoyance of my neighbours. Are you feeling Christmas this year? Or nah?

I’m definitely feeling some excitement this year…and even more so that it’s Monday!!!

…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:

Christmas family traditions. My sister, brother and I continued our family tradition of making pastelles for Christmas. For the uninitiated, pastelle is a local Christmas favourite (although I have them year-round) made of minced meat well seasoned with olives, capers and raisins wrapped in a cornmeal dough which is steamed. Every year we get together and make our own for the season and beyond. This year, our pastelles are a tad on the spicy side, since there was a hot chilli pepper masquerading as a pimento pepper in our seasoning. But’s all good and they will be enjoyed regardless.

Christmas spirit. I am finally beginning to feel the excitement of the season!

Coffee with my hippie friends. Coffee with friends is always so much better isn’t it?

Vacation approved. Because vacay b*tches!!!

My brother and sister. Family is everything. I am so thankful for them. Deepak said it best, “If you want to do really important things in life and big things in life, you can’t do anything by yourself. And your best teams are your friends and your siblings.”

Prayer, Faith and Action. In that order. Let go of the outcome and then repeat. This pretty much sums up my life last week. And I have been counting my blessings!

Classic movies. As I type this, The Sound of Music is on TV. There is just something about the season that makes you want to curl up with your loved ones and drink something warm and chocolatey and watch an old favourite. This week I’m sure I will watch Love Actually, Home Alone and Elf.

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.

Christmas is here and the days are getting shorter. But thankfully we still get the same 86,400 seconds to manifest our best life. 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.

Is it just me or are the days flying by pretty quickly now? It’s as if 2015 is champing at the bit to get here! I cannot believe that I only have two more 7 for Seven’s left for 2014! Time flies when you have lots to be thankful for apparently!

…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:

Being a human body shield. So I had dinner with my all-time favourite girl in the world, my longest friendship to date – we’ve been friends since we were 5 years old – and after sharing a great dinner along with our plans for 2015 and swapping some juicy tidbits…well you know what besties talk about…we were walking towards the car when this rat the size of a cat came running towards us. I swear what happened next was like a scene from road runner and coyote. All I felt was tug on my arm and my girl vanished. Like 0-60 in the blink of an eye. Meep Meep I tell you! I was like….you did not just use me as body armor for a rat and then leave me there to die! I am cracking up just thinking about it! I haven’t laughed like that in a long long time! And it felt so good. Crossing paths with ratzilla…not so much.

Coffee Love. I’m 7 for seven on getting my coffee to cream ratios just right!

Playing dress-up for my company’s Gala Dinner!

Friends who outfit me for said Gala Dinner. I wasn’t too keen on attending my company’s dinner this year. I hemmed and hawed all week and finally decided at the last-minute that I would in fact go. One of my dear friends literally pulled a rabbit out of hat and created a gown for me in a day. He also got the make-up artist and the photos you see above are the end result! I am so blessed!

Friends who aren’t afraid to call me out on my BS. I have a friend who called me out on being comfortable (read stuck) in this place of “quiet”. She asked me point blank…what’t the name of your blog? It’s time to get loud! Hellooo…lightbulb! Time to start aligning my actions with my words and stop giving the universe mixed signals.

Friends who bring me tiramisu…just because. I love tiramisu. It is not a secret. My friends – bless their hearts – feed this habit of mine. And my tummy is always happy!

My Cohort of Awesome. I have surrounded myself with people who reflect my light and who are able to shine their own light when I am being pulled into the darkness. I will be forever grateful for these awesometastic people who have allowed me to be part of their journey here on earth…in this time in our history. This journey would not be as fun, as flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants fantastic if not for them!

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.

The days are getting shorter. But thankfully we still get the same 86,400 seconds to manifest our best life. 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.