Gratitude Journal 05.25
“I’ve been putting sorrow on the farthest place on my shelf.”
05.01 - Beautiful hand-crafted artwork from a local artist hosted by Diane’s Books, who generously gifted me a necklace. Her sincerity somehow made Earth’s gravitational pull lighter. To see more of her work, visit artisticshellsbyjani.com.
05.02 - A serendipitous surprise from a dear friend on my commute home.
05.03 - This day will live in infamy as my first time trying (and enjoying!) coffee. Plus, I was refueled by some unexpected but lovely visitors.
05.04 - A rainy, dark Sunday in the bookstore. It fit a mood of overcast wandering, the perfect day to find solace amidst the shelves.
05.05 - Gratitude that I don’t have to search for in dark corners and hidden nooks. Gratitude that pops up out of nowhere that I hold close to my heart, treasured for the rest of the day.
05.06 - Seeing a golden retriever devour a pup cup is akin to watching God paint the brushstrokes of Heaven—wondrous, exalting, extraordinary.
05.07 - When there are so many people crammed into the Subway car that you can’t grip one of the poles, so you literally surf your way through the stops. My knees are officially in the Empire State!
05.08 - Fresh smelling sheets, clothes, and skin. Nothing like the smell of Lavender to help usher Spring in.
05.09 - The thrill of starting a new book—cracking the spine, inhaling the intoxicating smell, reading that first line that packs a gut-wrenching punch.
05.10 - Tasks on tasks on tasks. Working on one thing after another until all things are thoroughly scratched through and pushed from consciousness. It feels not only like the ultimate accomplishment but also the most revered exhale at the end of it all.
05.11 - Riley. Strong, loyal, ever-present mini golden doodle Riley who never leaves your side but for a curious nose and who revels in all the attention he never got in the shadow of his brother and sister.
05.12 - Anyone who knows me knows how much I love butterflies and a one-year-old came into the store and handed me a book about butterflies which absolutely melted my heart.
[Editor’s Note: As I was typing this line, this song randomly came on. Coincidence? I think not!]
05.13 - Slowing down and tuning into my intuitive sense of self, desire, and care. Much needed though always deserved.
05.14 - Roses from Alice, whose presence has become a constant and vivacious part of every Wednesday working at Diane’s.
05.15 - Joy and relief for a friend making the leap to the Big Apple, feeling like we’re synchronously on the cusp of new chapters and opportunities as the season swings.
05.16 - Lake Street Dive. The releasing of pressure over pizza and beer. The swaying of the world with a great soundtrack and better company.
05.17 - Caffeine, caffeine, caffeine! My new vice. I’ve tried both a blond vanilla latte and iced brown sugar oak shaken espresso from Starbucks, though need other recommendations for a non-coffee-turned-coffee drinker. Tell me your favorite in the comments below.
05.18 - The power and presence of mysteries in my life, a newfound appreciation for the unexplainable, a reverence for the unknown. To be okay with the mystery is to surrender our pursuit of known goods, of explained phenomena, of certain futures. Opening my palm from the fist of uncertainty, washing myself clean of the irresistible, unobtainable urge to know it all. (More on mysteries coming soon…)
05.19 - For those of you anxiously waiting for an update—yes, I did finally repay free donut man. He accepted my cash with grace and kindness.
05.20 - Boba Tea and Danielle, the coworker who has become my cherished Columbian mom, helping me practice my Spanish and making me laugh with all her bromas.
05.21 - Dreams of flying. I’ve had this recurrent dream where I can fly and no one else can. I fly far above everything else. Thank you subconscious, for these brief moments of respite.
05.22 - A new bookstore. I think I could work in bookstores for the rest of my life and never tire of discovering a new store with shelves and shelves full of possibility. Also grateful for my bowed shelf, which has held up many pounds of unread words. How long do we think it will last?
05.23 - I’m not sure I believe that distance makes the heart grow fonder, but I do believe that the distance between us is testament to how much and how long we’ve loved each other. I’m grateful for this man everyday, but I’m extra grateful for him when an “I miss you” text from me turns into a flight booked and a “see you soon” from him.
05.24 - The opportunity to dance in the rain, and find the rainbow (hope) between the clouds (dread).
05.25 - The sun shining on my morning of creative practice and Suleika Jaouad’s reminder to be grateful for that star a million miles away.
Until next time,
Kiera
the drink that converted me to a coffee girl was starbucks iced shaken espresso with vanilla syrup and oat milk!!!