Someone just mentioned to me that there are only ten weeks to go until Christmas. What? Where is this year going? This weekend I was feeling burnt out so I took sometime out from the world and just pottered around my own little corner. I did a lot of house cleaning, laundry, and lying on the couch with Penny. Sometimes when the world feels too big, and there are too many problems out there shouting for our attention, I find it useful to just control the little corner of the world that I have influence over. I think if everyone took care of their own little corner and poured some love into it, then maybe some of our big problems would disappear. Naive? Perhaps, but it brings me a little relief when the cares of the world are a little too heavy to carry. Here is my Nourished Life Gratitude List 2016 Week Forty-Two. 
I have started doing a personal training session every week with my yoga teacher (who is also a great PT). Although I have a university degree in human movements I find it valuable to have training from someone else who can correct my form and challenge me to lift heavier or in different ways than I usually do. These sessions are challenging and I usually leave feeling shaky all over. I am grateful to Julie for helping me move outside my comfort zone and reminding me that I am stronger than I know. 
A friend of mine is going through a hard time at the moment. Instead of dealing with this problem in a bitter way and putting hate out into the world they are handling it with soul shattering grace. I am grateful to this friend for showing me that there are beautiful ways of dealing with brutal times. If you are reading this, know that you inspire me with your true grace, friend.
Last year while we were exploring Washington, D.C. Chris got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. In exactly one year’s time we will be saying ‘I do’ and joining our lives together in front of our families and friends. I am grateful that this man came into my life. I am grateful for his humour, intelligence, helpfulness, and love. I am grateful that he is my calm place to rest. I can’t wait to become your wife Chris! We celebrated our T-minus 1 Anniversary with sushi and a movie date to see ‘The Magnificent Seven’. 
On Saturday morning I joined my beloved Casey for a breakfast date! We walked with her sweet pup, Hugo, to a favourite local spot called Goodness Gracious Cafe. I love their exciting and varied menu, the leafy shaded outdoor area and the cute old house that has been converted into the cafe. They are also dog friendly, which ups their awesome quotient by 1000 in my books. Casey and I ordered big mugs of cappuccino (which come with real chocolate shavings instead of cocoa powder) and I got the roasted greens with two poached eggs (garlicky roasted greens and perfectly runny eggs) and Casey got the pork belly breakfast. We had the best two hours chatting and sharing. We walked back to her house and laid on the grass and looked at the sky for a while and I felt the frantic knot in my heart start to untangle itself. I am grateful that I can find peace with my best friend and that mornings like Saturday exist to calm and soothe and feed my soul. 
On Saturday night I had a girls night out with my oldest friends Caroline and Josie, and our friend Laura who is home visiting from Canada! We had a delicious dinner and dessert and spent hours catching up on the two years that have passed since we last saw Laura. I am grateful for old friends who you can pick up with right where you left off. I promise I’ll be packing Chris onto a plane to visit you soon Laura!
Okay friends, tell me what you are grateful for this week? How do you find your calm again?