Gratitude Friday 05/18/2012, Life is full

Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you'll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hello !

Life is a mess. And tough. The last few weeks have been the hardest of my life, but I know it will get better. We will make it easier and safer.

I wish I had a magical wand to help out my friends in need, all I can do is listen and answer with love and tenderness; even though I know it is unfortunately not enough. But I try.
Being present is still an amazing gift to the people you love.

This week, I am thankful for:

• My new {Painting In Motion} video. You can watch it here and know more about it.
• My mom.
• Fibromyalgia for teaching me so much. Lessons are learned in pain, but still.
• My oven, still learning again how to cook with gas though, lots of adjustments being made.
• Fresh homemade bread. You really should check this book out, it changes our life. I have their book about pizza and now have frozen dough ready to be used.
• My Creative Hollow (ie. my art studio).
• I was able to sign up for Anna Dabrowska's layout class at Clipper Street. I would have loved to be part of her Mixed Media class but Life decided otherwise, I am still happy to be able to learn from her, and hopefully connect with creative local people at the same time.
• Grenouille's new school. I know my girls will be happy there. Koala can't wait to go to school, she does not like that much being with me all the time lol
• Chai Latte. I've found 3 Starbucks chai at Costco for the price of one. A treat I do everyday to myself.
• My bro' invited me (us) to his wedding, even if he knew we could not make it because of the high price of plane tickets to France. The same with my cousin.
• Being back to an healthier lifestyle, exercising and eating better. However, I am still struggling with finding the right diet for me.
• I love the Studio Calico monthly kits I signed up for.
• Mindy Lacefield online class comes to an end, it was amazing. I am looking to the videos regularly and the community gathered around it is very amazing. You can know register for the class at your own pace (yaaay).
• I was also able to purchase a second original painting from the amazing Danielle Daniel. Can't wait to receive it. If only plane tickets were cheaper, I would fly to attend her exhibition in Québec in a few months...

When life is yucky, find a few minutes to look at it differently. What made you smile ? What makes you feel better ? Soak in these feelings of joy and blessings. It will make it easier, I promise <3

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don't forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I'm notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):

Gratitude Friday 05/04/2012, thank you new beginnings

Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you'll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hello !

I know I did not published a Gratitude Friday in what seems like FOREVAAAAAAAAAA but I will try to get back to it from now on.

Despite the huge amount of stress I still feel today, it's important for me to thank for all the blessings I receive. Even the tiniest ones.

This week, I am thankful for:

• This new home we just moved in. I can't believe how perfect it is for us, and it is OURS (well... it will be in 20-ish years, for now it's to the bank lol).
• My husband, he is the bestest and I could never have dreamt of a better match for me.
• I am one of the artist interviewed for Cindy Jones Lantier's project called Mixed Media May (or M3), you can read my interview just right here.
• Speaking of projects, I love being part of the project 101010 (you can see daily blogposts of the others participants answers).
• I've finally started to paint the walls of my future creative studio. It will be a beautiful teal. I am thankful for this opportunity to finally have my space to create and work.
• Thank you to my friends. They are dear to my heart.
• The good nights of sleep. I'm beginning to be okay with being exhausted, I still have good nights of sleep again and I love that.
• I love finding inspiration in the most surprising places. Like a restaurant washroom wall.
• Starting to take care of my health again. Exercising. Better eating. I want to be back to the Nolwenn I know I should be. And I KNOW I can do it.

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don't forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I'm notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):

Gratitude Friday 03/02/2012, money comes money goes

Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you'll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hello !

March is for us the month to celebrate our baby Koala birthday (she'll turn 5 this year... and I secretely celebrate my half-birthday the same day, as when I was a kid).
March is also the sign that a quarter of the year is already gone.
For many reasons, I feel like this March 2012 is holding a lot of life-changing stuff. I think I've talked about it here in the past. But I am not excepting anything specific, just enjoying the ride. The famous "Now". And this Gratitude Friday rituel, whether I share it online here or keep it for myself, is a great tool for that.

This week, I am thankful for:

• The persons who actually make an habit of Gratitude Fridays and sometimes share it on their space. Even when I am silent.
• I am learning to know the 20 other teachers in 21 Secrets (more info about it here. It starts in a month and it's not too late to sign up. I will giveaway one spot next week). I know most of them, at least their names, but I have this feeling that this round will be extra special. I hope I am not wrong I am in the starting blocks to get everything ready.
• I love the short videos my friend Anu sends me. It makes me feel special and loved.
• I love the raw honestin in Liz Lamoreux's blog. One day, I'll gift myself with one of her jewelry piece.
• The email from Grenouille's teacher. Reassuring. I know Grenouille is doing the best she can.
• I signed up for Studio Calico's kits. I am not a scrapbooker but use a lot of stuff they use in my artworks. And I love to receive packages :s
• My last Nixie, Allie, is filling me with this je ne sais quoi I haven't fully felt for some time. And I know that when this feeling is there, it means I am where I am meant to be and have done what had to be done. I loved writing her story.
• I want to create art journals again. Experimenting. Just having fun in the process.
• I will be able to get my certification to be a Certified Vision Board Coach. I have homework to do though.
• I will be in Mindy Lacefield's first online class. It makes me happy.
• The women at the scrapbook store Clipper Street begin to know me and what I like (which means I go there too often, I know). I even dared asking about the possibility of teaching at their boutique. YAY me for taking that leap of faith.
• I am one of the 50 lucky to have been chosen to test recipes for the second cookbook to come of Jaden Hair (from the blog Steamy Kitchen). I will try the first recipe tonight. Can't wait.

I wish you all a wonderful week-end. Here it tastes a bit like spring break already because of the teachers' strike (it's a very long story...).

Here are a few pictures from this week:

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don't forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I'm notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):

Gratitude Friday 02/03/2012

Gratitude Friday is a weekly ritual I started in order to focus on all the small and big positive things that happened during my week. I invite you to join me, you'll see how much being thankful can change your life. If you want to know more about it, read my introduction post.

Hello !

February... ok, I won't tell it every new month of the year but honestly I don't see where January went. Maybe it is because my mind is currently so full of everything, I don't notice each day that comes after the others.

January made me realize how important it is to thank for everything we receive, good and less good. There's a positive message in everything that is thrown our way.

This week, I am thankful for:

• Open-hearted discussion with this girlfriend that matters so much to me. And our mutual decision to take care of our friendship.
• Today is Cheridoo's payday, I can finally breathe again (and buy food).
• Nothing is a coincidence I guess... I wanted to finally sign up for Flora Bowley's class first thing this morning, and the registration for this session (that begins next monday) is now closed. It was not yesterday. Next term: June 2012.
• Mamounette (ie my Mom).
• Despite this stupid wrist/arm that has me suffering for more than 10 days now, I was able to paint and work this week. It's weird how the only moment I notice I feel relief in my pain is when I paint.
• My girls that cover me with love and sweet words («Mom cooks the best meals in the world» «Mom is the bestest artist in the whole universe»... even if it is from my daughters' point of view, they honestly feel what they tell me).
• The tv show Supernatural. Oooooh yes we waited forever to finally give in and watch it. We have several season to catch up with but this is good. And it is filmed nearby
• I am currently reading the second book of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire. This is amazing. I am glad I waited for the trilogy to be completely released before reading it. I hate having to wait for sequels to come (and honestly, they all do several-book series now. Tsss). And this is something I can share with Mamounette as she's read the first two books while she was here. I am trying to convince my husband to read them as well. Here is the link for Lien pour the trailer.
• My friends Kira that jumped on Skype to talk to me after something I poster on facebook. It is good to know I can vent with someone that totally gets what I am going through. And to know she cares.
• It is auite sunny outside so I am walking in my neighborhood just to get some fresh air.
• My friend Anu that listens to me patiently and support me.
• My friend Aurore that will give me skirts she does not wear anymore.
• My husband, who simply is my perfect match.

I realized I like to end my Gratitude Friday blogpost with some pictures from my week:

There is still time to sign up for 21 Secrets, that will open its doors in April. You won't regret learning from the 21 of us.
Click on the image to learn more about it, and maybe sign up (note: the teachers are given an affiliate link so people can sign up using it and we are paid a percentage of your fee. I would love if you'd use my link above to sign up.)

If you wrote your Gratitude Friday on your blog, don't forget to enter your NAME and URL below so I'm notified and can come to read you (you can also join by commenting this post):