And the theme of March will be grace. Grace upon grace. 

grace ^{[ greys ]} 
noun. 
a moral strength; a pleasing or attractive quality; a virtue or excellence of divine origin

I personally don’t buy into insistent positivity… and in fact, I think it’s a dangerous trap to fall into where the levels of positivity and optimism are assumed as the gauges of health or unhealth. 

Now, I’m not saying those aren’t value-adds to our lives but once again, I’d like to challenge the cultural norm. Let me explain myself. In a space where insistent positivity is the goal, the realists (those who’s tendency is to realistically assess and recognize when things are or are not going well), will find that they struggle to fit. Their assessments will usually fall on ears that disregard the realist as they are seen only as negative (EVEN when they aren’t being literally negative); their solutions will not readily be accepted seeing as the problems they are trying to solve are overlooked (because in an insistent positivity space, there are no problems); and an automatic disconnect occurs when the realist sees an issue but has no freedom to speak of said issue because they are deemed the issue. And all of a sudden, compliance and positivity become one in the same, therefore making the realist non-compliant even if that opposes their motives and intentions. 

I am a realist. I have experienced this invisibility, this squashing of creativity, this disconnect. I have felt pressured to compromise my authenticity…having to toe the line so I can still influence progress or effect change within the constraints of insistent-positivity-compliance. I am also a realist who has the ability to sense what’s working and what’s not working, who has a solid grasp on receiving all feedback as relevant, who understands the difference between being open minded and narrow minded and who might have a lot to bring to the table, if invited. 

Okay, so that off my back, here is my bigger point: While I don’t buy into insistent positivity, I do believe deeply in the value of inherent gratitude. Inherent means something existing as permanent, essential, characteristic…so finding gratitude in all things — in ALL things — is a total game-changer. Not everything is always good, but there is always opportunity for gratitude. And what about grace? Being willing to acknowledge that not everything is good means there is room for grace and when we leave room for grace, a door swings wide open for life-transforming gratitude.

*Post 1091

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BRECK! :: 3/30/18 :: Post 205

In Breckenridge. In a beautiful resort. Now about to go to sleep as I’m so tired. 

But it was a fun filled day. Chris and the girls skied in Loveland and then we headed up here.

Then I met one of the ladies that helps organize this whole thing (Domus Pacis). Then we had a little dinner and played a family game night and now we are allllllll going to sleep……I’m so tired I can’t see straight!! 

Looking so forward to the next many days 🙂 

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Black Slime :: 3/30/19 :: Post 564

I had a rough morning. I was antsy and desperate to be anywhere but in my story. I thought if I were to draw how I felt this morning it would have been black slime. 

Some days…..ugh.

Then I went to lunch with my momma and things got better 🙂 

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No post for 3/30/20

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