"It's hard to dance with a devil on your back, so shake him off!"

Now is as good a time as any to break the silence, right?  It's been a long and interesting summer, and like most of my past few summers, I've learned huge lessons about life and myself.  Each summer teaches me that I am stronger than I know, and I like that.  Each summer also teaches me my weaknesses, but I will learn from those, too.  This year I lost a friend, I lost a boyfriend, I found strength in old friends, and I found laughter with new friends.  I've changed careers, I changed my hair color, and I've changed to new routines.  I celebrated the life of a friend that ended way too soon.  I went to a fun city with old friends and celebrated thirty years of someone's life who is still rocking it.  I celebrated 15 years of friendship with one of my all time best friends.  I've danced and laughed and lived, and what else is summer for?  Thank you, God, for the opportunity to reflect on myself, my life and all the many countless blessings that I have not earned, but that I hope and pray I cherish enough. 

I'm starting to realize that when I think I've hit a place where things are calm and good, something inevitably comes along to deliver some harsh reality.  I hit a down place last night, and then realized much quicker than usual, that I still have the same amazing people supporting me through all of the rough patches.  I've witnessed and experienced enough to know that I'm strong enough to shake it off.  It will all be okay, and I'll still come out dancing at some point. 

I'm thankful...
1. For rediscovering old relationships.  You really can't ever find new old friends.
2. For zumba.  Dancing as an adult is so incredibly underrated.
3. For yoga.  Stretching and reflecting is also incredibly underrated.
4. For long talks that solve all the world's problems.  They make me happy.
5. For good cries.  Catharsis is almost blissful.
6. Even more so for good laughs, especially the kind that make you check to see if you may have accidentally peed your pants (I usually haven't).  It never gets old.

Sweet dreams!