simple shui | a thousand thanks

searching my blog yesterday, i came across this:

november is a barren landscape stripped of all its pretenses.

behind closed doors, there are glowing fires.

november’s beauty must radiate from within.

makes november sound like a rather authentic month, yes? and it’s what i LOVE most about this time of year.

there’s an invitation to reflect upon the passing year — all that transformed so we became more of our authentic selves.

and what better way to do this than gratitude.

a favorite soul sent me a LOVE note the other day, asking me to *please, OH please* bring back gratitude posts.

i never meant to retire them; rather, the business of talking shui just persisted more. but in that excitement, i lost something that’s been a polaroid of our life as it develops. those drops of gratitude were bread crumbs…a trail celebrating my life as it unfolds.

so. stepping outside my normal chattering today, a few words of appreciation instead.

{i am oh-so grateful for. . .}

row B tickets to ryan adams. my mister knows how much i’ve craved this experience…and he landed second.row.seats. there are no words really… just crazy love.

every single sunset that saturated me in cali a few weeks ago. one look and i smell the sea + feel the sky all over again.

our cheapest halloween yet…and most likely their cutest costumes. ever.

these cookies. dark chocolate + dried cherries + oatmeal. shall i go on?

the recipe. which came into my world straight from this delicious book. i am rapidly moving from silly girl crush to full-fledge twitterpation for shauna niequist. her stories are like scrumptious cookies themselves, textured + pleasing + so very satisfying. devour one and you immediately want another.

more girl crushes. it’s been wildly thrilling these last few months to be among spectacular girl company over at clementine daily and astrotwins’ momstrology. it’s invigorating + righteously radiant how these empowered women light up the world with their gorgeous talents + voices. and to be in the same space with them, even for a blink + a smile, inspires every cell of my body.

this video. which, if you *know* me, is so counter to anything i would ever do outside of close comrades. but. i was *challenged* by her – a spirit i tremendously adore + respect. if something scares me {and there isn’t anything real to be afraid of}, it is usually the kind of plunge i need to shake my spirit wide + loose. the thing is…it was SO much more. we sing this song every day going to school. something about that hook my lovelies love. and now i hold this slice of our ordinary in my hands forever. and that is the best bursting joy!

our class — we have one more week. honestly, life spreads her wings and flies right on by. it’s been a limitless experience – engaging with souls so open to their own joy + teaching with someone who can pretty much grow whatever she dreams. and to know i will tuck up 2014 having explored something i’ve never done before? it lights my fire in the best possible ways.

it’s a well of sweetness i find myself in when i notice + praise everything that is right about my life. i hope you will treat yourself to a dip, too.

xo