I am lucky...

I woke up this morning, and realized how lucky I am. I typically wake up and rage on my alarm clock, fighting for every last second of sleep possible. Not today. I sat in traffic for over an hour. I typically spend that time raging at the randoms on the road, who in my eyes "caused the traffic because they dont know how to drive". Not today. I sipped my sugar-free redbull (thanks heather) and laughed at the radio talk host. I have so much going on, so much that i feel like I dont even have time to just sit and think about how lucky I am.

I decided that if I write a list of all of the reasons that I am lucky then it will make it more eye-opening, I can see it in front of me instead of the thoughts dancing around in my head. I have totally rejected the idea of punctuation, capitalization, spelling - etc in this post so its more real and natural for me. So without further a due, I am lucky because...

1. i have fantastic friends. i know i say it a lot but I really mean it. I feel like I have the most amazing friends in the entire world. Example? I was a little sour about my birthday this year but a few of my friends made sure to get me in the right mind set for it, and threw me a small early bday surprise dinner. best.present.ever. the thoughtfulness that these individuals put into everything they do is unbelievable.

2. i have a fantastic education. and i love it. i am lucky to have my previous degree and i am even more lucky to be at Johns Hopkins pursuing my Masters. I love the program, the professors and the classmates that I have met along the way. The bond between us at times can be extremely intense, being in a counseling field. I am lucky to experience that.

3. I have had many, many life experiences. Hurt, loss, joy, suffering - all of it. I am lucky to have had these experiences. These experiences do make you stronger, and do help shape who you are and where you will go.

4. i am in good health. i may not be the healthiest person, but i have my health. i have recently learned that for many people that is not something we are all blessed with. my father is very, very sick with progressive diabetes. watching what poor health can do to a person physically, emotionally and spiritually has been a very hard experience. but, it has taught me to realize that i am lucky to have my health.

5. i know what i want. i am so lucky to have that. so many people in life, especially people my age do not know what they want. but i do. i know what i want in my career, love life, family life, social life - and what values i want lead my life by. i know exactly what i want. i may beat around the bush, i may seem unsure of the minor details of life. but the big picture? i know exactly what i want. i know i may not get it, but that is not going to stop me. i am lucky to have already have figured that out.

6. i have people that support me no matter what. my family has watched me fall and make some mistakes but they supported my learning process. my friends (past & present) have done the same. the people that are in my life at this moment? unconditional support. un-freaking-conditional. i am sure i have done things more recently that has made people close to me say, "what is she thinking?!" but they supported me. i am so lucky to have that.

7. i have a roof over my head and a comfortable living situation. im 25 and i live at home. i hate it. but, its there. its home - for now. i am not on the street, i am not forced to move out before i can find the right place and time.

8. i have someone right now who has given me the ability to let go and have fun. keeps me on my toes. makes me feel lucky. spontaneous. reminds me to have fun and quit being so serious. helps me realize how lucky i am to have everything i do have. its a pure feeling.

9. i have opportunities. so many of them. they are going to take me far, and i cannot wait to enjoy the ride.

10. i have my sanity! haha no, but i feel lucky to be ME. i am who i am. and i have finally realized that THAT IS OK. its better than ok. it's fierce. and boy so i feel lucky to be fierce.