Day 54: Powerful Happenings + Immense (International) Friendship

 

Today I learned...

...that extremely powerful things can happen when so much good energy is together. 

Today I am thankful for...

...the fantastic opportunity to meet the beautiful women in the above photo. Each one of them is so pure in her own way, so creative, and so inspiring. I sense SO MANY good times in our future and I feel so blessed to have been able to enjoy a full day of magic with Jenn and Rachel, followed by a dinner of laughter with them and Lisa, Kendra, and Caroline. I will never forget the day!

Day 35: Recognition + Important Words

Today I learned...
...that my hard work does not go unnoticed. I was recognized THREE times today and it felt almost magical and connected. The first was my small bit on the news. The other two recognition instances were total surprises and really made me blush. I won't elaborate just yet...but to be nominated for something special by people I respect means a lot to me.

Today I am thankful for...
...Channel 69 News airing the NUMBER ONE thing I would want aired. Of all the footage they took of me speaking at my home, they could only show a brief clip and what they chose was me saying, "If someone out there is struggling or they know someone who is struggling, there is hope. Recovery can be achieved." Yes, yes, and yes! THANK YOU.

Day 33: Driving Ease + a Magical Day

Today I learned...
...that driving in the car with a really good friend makes driving to new places SO much easier.

Today I am thankful for...
...a magical day of adventures with my dear friend Jenn. She came to see me via bus, and from the moment I picked her up at the bus terminal, I was giddy. We had a day of fabulousness, which includes her meeting all of my family members - every one of them! She met Rick, my mom, my dad, my brother, his wife, my little niece, and even my Mom's best friend - my other mother - Barb! And of course - she met Juice and Tumbler! Many good talks and hugging and squealing and smiling ensued. AND THE BEST PART IS it's just the first of many visits in our future!

Day 17: Death + a Thank You

Today I learned...
...that death can mean so much more than pain and tears...that it can in fact be the best gift of all. At hospice, I met a dear, sweet, very elderly woman with one specific wish: to dance with her husband again. He has been dead for several years and she is more than ready to be with him. She has no regrets, no unfinished business, and no worries. She loved her life and she embraces its final chapter. Death has escaped her these last few days, though she is very weak and very ill. At her extreme age, it's amazing her body has held up through her terminal illness. She longs to die and this makes me happy, not sad. I mean it when I say that I hope she will be dancing with her husband very soon.

Today I am thankful for...
...the chance to tell a particular person that something she suggested changed my life for the better. By chance, this particular woman (whom I first met in October) popped into my life today and I was able to thank her sincerely as well as marvel at the full circle beauty that has since transpired.

Day 13: Wishes + Friendships

Today I learned...
...that wishes really can come true. See below.

Today I am thankful for...
...the official opportunity to see some of my very dearest friends on February 23rd in New York City. For 4 years, in addition to making videos on my own YouTube channel, I have been making Wednesday Warrior videos for a channel called WeRFreEDomFighters. My day is clearly Wednesday, but some other fantastic ladies make videos on other days of the week. Together, we create programs, video rotations, and educational topics. Together, we promote eating disorder recovery and reach thousands of people.

These women are also some of my dearest friends. We are everywhere: various parts of the USA, Italy, the UK. But we are connected by sisterly bonds and communicate daily through text messages, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter, emails, and of course - YouTube.

These strong friendships have been years in the making, but due to the fact that we don't live near each other, we have never met. And this February, several of us will.

It is with a heavy heart that I regret I cannot meet ALL of my Freedom Fighter sisters. But this February, I will get to meet 3 of them. My dear friend from the UK will be coming to the USA and arriving in NYC. My other FF sister will be arriving in NYC from Georgia. And a third dear friend currently LIVES in NYC, so will be there waiting for all of us with open arms. It will be a friend-fest!

I couldn't be more grateful or more excited!

Day 8: Asking + ...Asking!

 

Today I learned...

...that when you really ask, and are truly thankful BEFORE you get what you want, you really do receive. 

Today I am thankful for...

...friends who ask the questions I am so eager and happy to answer! I love when I can pass something helpful along...and I love it even more when things come full circle. And I am finding that they so often do.

THANK YOU.