Come Selahway With Me…

Just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a very happy holiday this weekend. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving or Hanukkah, love and peace to one and all!

I’m grateful this year to be able to spend more time with family and friends, to not have to be flinging myself everywhere at warp speed. It really puts things into perspective, and I’ve been doing the checklist of things that I’m thankful for.

In general, I’m blessed to have fairly good health, a remarkable family, incredible friends, and all of the necessities, plus a few luxuries that many people don’t have. I have all my faculties and I’m blessed to be living a creative life. I am able to hear amazing music, look at mind-blowing art, be touched by ground-breaking films, and read stories that take me anywhere in the world – and beyond.

I’m also blessed to have fairly awesome opportunities in my life, and people willing to take a chance on me. It’s helping me learn to take a chance on myself.

With writing, I am extremely thankful to be blessed with some exceptional publishers like Seventh Star Press, Mocha Memoirs Press, and the talented folks who do the many magazines that make up Fortress Publishing. They’ve given me a long leash and have taught me so much in such a short amount of time. I’ve been able to be around talented publicity folks, bloggers, and other authors who are more seasoned and willing to share their own experiences, without seeing me as competition or some weirdo who isn’t doing things right. My list of author friends is too vast to name, but know I’m grateful for every one of you. The same goes to my readers, my crafting and sewing pals, and anyone who has offered me support and encouragement. That means more than you’ll ever know.

Beyond all that, though, I’ve realized I’m grateful for some odd things too.

I’m thankful that life isn’t perfect. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t learn how to be persistent and think outside the box.

I’m thankful that although I’ve had my bumps in the road this year, they’ve been relatively minor and have served to teach me more than run me over.

I’m thankful that I’m imperfect, because it means that I can see things in a unique way. It means that I have to relate to people to learn, they have to relate to me, and hopefully we all learn something from each other and carry on together.

I’m thankful the world is imperfect, because it teaches me empathy for others, and makes me not stay in my safe little corner.

I realize this is probably a little idealistic, but although I cover it with gruff sarcasm, I tend to be pretty optimistic. So no matter where you’re at or what’s going on, I hope there is something you can stop and smile about, open your heart to, and even be thankful for. Know that I’m thankful for you.

Have a lovely holiday, and I hope that it brings you a lovely day full of family, friends, love, and light.