42 Days of Gratitude: Day 60

I can’t believe that it has been almost a month since I posted on this blog! What happened?

Well between December 30 – January 3rd, Tom and I were setting up, rehearsing and shooting Father Time and Baby New Year. It was very complicated and ended with some very late shoots. But it was so much fun! At the same time I was starting my 365 Days of celelebrations. Talk about reasons to be grateful!!

It took me a few days, Jan 4-7 to get back on my regular schedule and int he meantime I started my battles with various viruses. I beat the first one without any other symptoms besides fatigue and nasal congestion and by the end of the week I had been invited to audition for the first time in like forever and I was so excited that once again I did not sleep properly (stayed up too late, got under 7 hours of sleep, blech) But I was just so happy about my enthusiasm. I really am grateful for that.

The following week I got really sick. This virus got me good for 3 days and it took another 4 days of various lead in and total recovery. I tried to be grateful for being healthy and strong. Getting sick is the body’s way of getting well and I was getting healthier, stronger. But when I get sick my energy drops. And when my energy drops, well I feel like an orphan; unloved and abandoned. This was the challenge. How do I feel gratitude when I am having a tantrum?

So for the last two weeks I have been practicing smiling. Mostly I have been smiling for no reason and since I have had genuine times when there was no reason to smile I was able to actually feel the effect of just the physical act of making a smile with my face…and holding it for 20 seconds, like a stretch. The effect is subtle and brief, but it is warm and feels great.

I have been approaching smiling and laughing like a yoga practice, along with daily gratitude and celebration it has been amazing. Getting mildly sick during this time, this beginning of a new year filled with smiles, laughter and celebration every day was auspicious. Life is not often easy but I can still be grateful for the challenge. And I have learned that my most prized possession is my energy!