The Art of Thanks

This view.  This view right here is what I get to see everyday.  Most people would not argue that I am blessed.  While living on an island does come with its own unique set of challenges–if you are able to rise it above it, you are perpetually rewarded with breath-taking scenery, an unusually close community and a new awareness about what is truly important.  We moved here from NYC, arguably the best commerce city in the world.  There was a CVS on every corner; a flagship store for most every brand you’d desire and;  almost every day, young women giving away free samples of some type of cosmetic.  As you might expect, that doesn’t happen on my little rock.  The drug stores are all local.  All the boutiques are local (carrying designers like Island Contessa!) and the only free samples that get handed to you are at the farmer’s market to taste some new fruit or vegetable.  Do I miss some of the conveniences?  Of course I do!  I make regular pilgrimages to Sephora and Pier One when I’m stateside.  But everything is a trade off.  Last night I stood in the yard you see in this picture and counted millions of stars that were perfectly clear because there was no manmade ambient light to interfere.  For my husband’s recent birthday we feasted on fresh Wahoo that he had caught the day before.  On Thanksgiving we won’t be with our immediate family but we will be with members of our island family.  The art of thanks is not about not wanting more or different (you should always strive for what makes you happy or a better person)  but mostly about appreciating what you have right in front of you.  I’m really thankful for this journey that I’m on and that you’re coming along for the ride.  What are you thankful for?

Ciao,
Lori