Daily 5 Revisited - Day 30

This morning started out rough - I had plans that I was quite looking forward to that fell through.  My emotions have been wonky this week, and that little thing initially hit hard.  In that moment, as I texted back and forth with several friends about various things, I began to realize again why I value the exercise of writing these daily 5 lists.  They make a difference.  In noticing the small things and finding reasons to smile and to choose to be grateful, I see a shift in the place where I've been existing for the last while.  It's becoming habit again to take note, and to give thanks, and the results are a greater ability to adapt to changes and disruptions, and a greater ability to live in the present moment with joy and peace instead of anxiety and fear.  I'm reminded of Ann Voskamp's line, "Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle."  Amen and amen.

Today's Daily 5:

1. 30 days of consistently counting smiles and giving thanks
2. a long shower to start my day
3. a curly hair day
4. wearing my favorite sweatpants and a cute, comfy tank top from Old Navy to bum around the house
5. a quiet, simple day mostly at home, sometimes cooking (so therapeutic), sometimes reading, sometimes listening, plus, you know, the latest episode of Castle

Daily 5 Revisited - Day 29

Today's Daily 5:

1. sleeping in after a late night spent writing and processing
2. the joy of waking up and being able to leave my bedroom and enjoy natural light immediately - such a nice change to house sit and be outside of my basement cave dweller life
3. using a vitamix to make my green smoothies
4. having a day where the morning offered quiet space where I could ponder the bit of surreal feeling I had after the experiences I shared with the Lord in the last few days, and think about what comes next
5. the blessing of dear friends to journey with - sometimes I lose how much of a blessing this is because I get too focused on how much I hate how far away they all are
6. a surprise deal on a purchase that I really did need to make, even though money is tight - got to the cash desk and the item I was buying was half off - a little reminder that I am being cared for in this season
7. accomplishing all of the errands on my list
8. sipping a cup of Midsummer Night's Dream Tea from David's Tea while studying for my licensing exam
9. talking, sharing and praying by phone with a good friend
10. phones, texting, skype, facetime - so thankful for technology since my friends insist on living so darn far away.

Daily 5 Revisited - Day 28

Today's Daily 5:

1. chatting with a friend before mass started
2. unpacking and settling in at my folks for another housesitting gig
3. a bubble bath and a novel
4. another really profound evening at the prayer conference I attended this weekend
5. texting with my friend Sarah as I began to process what the weekend held

Daily 5 Revisited - Day 27

Today's Daily 5:

1. waking up with complete peace over something I went to to bed last night feeling deep anxiety about
2. a pretty fantastic teaching on listening prayer at a conference I attended all day today
3. worship lead by Amanda Cook
4. hearing God speak and reveal some things to my heart in ways He hasn't in a while
5. a day of time in the presence of God that my heart just really needed

Daily 5 Revisited - Day 26

Today's Daily 5:

1. waking up slowly this morning
2. good chocolate
3. flickering candles across the room
4. baking a new recipe
5. a lovely skype date with my bestie, Lydia