As I grow I learn that there is so much more to life than I have experienced. Right now I am not in the best position to take advantage of all there is.  I know that once I get back on my feet I will be able to see the world and give my daughter the best that life has to offer.  So I look forward to the change and positive growth.  Having my own family, and their family.  I will be able to tell them history as it relates to us and share with them all that I have learned on my life journey.

I read so many responses that were warm and loving.  Unfortunately in my case.  I love coming home when it is just myself and Kaylah.  My family does not communicate, express positive emotion, nor does my family operate like one.  It's like we are strangers, just connected because of some freak accident.

Anyway that still bothers me especially around the holiday season.  I can not change what others  do not want to change.  I just wish I were in a happier place, home is not my home.  My peace comes from being with Kaylah outside of all the drama that continuously churns at "home."

1) What are you thankful for today?
Blogging

2) What do you appreciate about the Earth?
It sustains my life and is full of energy.

3) Who is the last person you said "thank you" to?
My daughter Kaylah for helping me pick up.

4) When was the last time someone thanked you?
Kaylah for the sunflower seeds I gave her.

5) What is your favorite way to say thank you?
A smiling "Thank You"

A kind person, loving, fun, non-judgemental, accepting.  Anyone that is comfortable with themselves, someone that is funny, positive, and caring.

I have been around the net reading all sorts of blogs. I have come in contact with writers, artists, photographers, gut spillers, techies, Moms/Dads, students, teachers, Yogis, the list is endless. As I take this electronic trip I am moved to tears at the intelligence, emotion, and likeness we all share, on some level. There are so many minds at work, it is truly inspiring. I always believed that writing can touch the soul. My soul has been graced by so many miles and miles away, without so much as a hello. My eyes and mind have been working overtime grasping the ideas and feelings of my fellow Bloggers. Serving also as a kick in the pants to dig deep, or not deep at all and just express myself. What I feel moving through me is something I have not felt in years. It is the spark of creativity that I have been longing for. To put my pen to paper, brush to canvas and just create. So I would like to say thank you to everyone that shares their journey, good days, bad days, stories, poetry, pictures, artwork...whatever it is to make your mark on the world. Everything I see and read I take something from, I can be pretty deep at times..looking past the ordinary and seeing the big picture. What I have gotten from this past week of blog surfing is a love of life, people, our commonalities, and our differences. Wow...it is a definite feeling of humanity, connectedness, and gratitude for the unique qualities we all posses.

This is a great question!! In reading the responses of others I see it is a common naivety.  Thinking that other people are honest in their person and words.  I have been hurt so many times because I take what people say to heart.  Often I do not realize until it is too late that I ave been taken advantage of or deceived.  I am glad that now I am more cautious when dealing with people, especially guys...well I can't say that because females also.  Anyone that I am considering bringing into my circle I am very attentive to and watch if their words meet their actions.  Unfortunately this is a hard balance for me because by nature I just take to people and am very compassionate and loyal.  I find myself now not trusting as much and it takes a lot of energy not to put my all into someone only to find myself hurting in the end.  I have cut of ties with a lot of "friends" and/or people that bring negative energy and drama into my life.  Sometimes it gets lonely, but I find refuge in reading, writing, and remembering that I am better off "lonely" rather than surrounded by hate.  It turns out this weakness has been my greatest strength; and one that will come in handy in my future career.

grateful, confused, creative

I am struggling right now with my creativity. I have not really painted in about three years. I desperately miss creating artwork, and can not push myself to paint.  I will organize and reorganize my art supplies, look through my sketchbooks...but I can not find the motivation to paint.  I feel like I lost the child-like part of me that didn't care what the final out come is, somehow the joy was taken out of the painting process for me.  I suffered a huge lost when my entire studio was trashed, that included ober 500 pieces of artwork and over $10K i supplies.  I have a decent amount of stuff to work with, any artists dream is to have a tube of paint and a brush..I have enough that I am sure I won't need supplies anytime soon.  I feel like my inner artist is rotting away.  HELP!! I need tips, motivation, anything.  I have tried the 'suck it up and just do it' that doesn't work for me.  I need a strong but gentle push in the right direction.

Thank you in advance.

A home of my own, filled with love and light.

Thank you all for the helpful advice, there is still some fear of loss that I must deal with.  I also know that the creativity is there because I have the urge to paint, but there is a deeper issue preventing me from expressing myself.  So here is what I have come up with:

• I will pray and thank the Creator for blessing me with artistic talent
• I will make an "Artists Gratitude Journal" - maybe it will help connect my thoughts with action
• I have been coloring in my daughters coloring books - just watching the colors appear relive stress!! and it is fun
• I must work on letting go of the past and being present in the present - mindfulness

I have been familiar with Gaiam for a little over a year, from practicing Yoga and reading Yoga Journal, but I was not aware of Gaia.  This website is so refreshing and it reminds me of goodness.

I think the most difficult thing about love is the part where you don't get it in return.  Love is  a very poweful emotion, and when it is lost or neglected a great deal of hurt is caused.  Still I do believe it is "better to have loved and lost, then not to love at all."

I really had to think about this question.  There is so much that I want to learn and do.  If I could learn to completely let go of the past, I would be free to accept and embrace things as they are and begin to shape my future.  I would like to learn how to let go.

The best thing about anger are all the fun and positive ways of dealing with it.  You can:

journal/write
pray
walk/run/jog
exercise - yoga, tai chi, qi gong, pilates
meditate
paint
read
talk
scream
treat yourself
get a hug/give a hug
take a vacation

Also anger usually comes from misdirected care and concern..so that may let you know that someone cares.  It would provide an excellent opportunity to talk and discuss and resolve any issue.

The happiest time for me was when I went to college.  It was my first time "on my own."  I was taking care of myself - dancing, eating good, walking, running.  I had excellent grades, teachers loved me, I participated in student activites.  I was out going, made new friends easily.  I felt happy all the time, I felt one with myself.  I learned a lot and had fun - all that mattered is what I thought.  I actually felt myself grow while I was in college.

Wow...my last relationship was with a man that I treasured.  We met by circumstance..an online site that shows who comes to your page.  I was immediately drawn to him, we talked on the phone and met.  We had so much in common and got a long wonderfully.  I had just gotten out of a bad, bad relationship a year before so I was apprehensive about meeting him, but I fell for his spirit, his dreams, his goals, his charm..and sweet and sour ways.  We connected!  Then it fell apart..lmao but I still treasure him and wish him love and kindness everyday.

To have a good paying, stable job with benefits so I  could take care of my family and pay for college.  That would change my life completely.

I have thought about this over and over...what would make me happy; what is my Christmas wish? There are a few things that would make me happy. I love the holiday season and all that it stands for, but for me they have become a source of pain. I always dreamed of decorating my house, cooking dinner and having family and friends come over. Exchanging gifts, stories, love, food..listening to Christmas songs...slightly drunken remixes of Christmas classics. Spending quality time with my daughter and her dad....being a family. Hot cocoa ** withmarshmellows ** in front of a cozy fire, reminding each other of why we're thankful and of family, just basking in the moments of another year past and the expectations of the year to come. Playing Santa again for Little Miss and seeing her face together as she tears through wrapping paper....None of that exists, or evenexisted . My Christmas wish would be for the Romeo and Juliet family saga to end. Two families into one, the past put behind, and friendships grown. That would make everyday of the rest of my life so worthwhile. At times I wish that me and my ex were a family again. Through all the hurt and pain that he caused me, and I him...there is no one that can ever give me the feeling of wholeness, completeness. I wish for loving family, broken hearts to be mended and joined as one. I also wish for a good paying, stable job with benefits, so I can take care of my daughter and myself and pay for my tuition next month..Santa I hope you have room for one more!!

Beating a battle with depression and learning to love myself again.  I realized the greatness in yoga, in myself, and found a way to keep going through all the hurt and pain.  I consider 2008 to be my "year of realiztion."  I got  a clear path of what I want for my life.