Gratit-OH MY GOD-tude

• For God, because allahuakbar, and I’m not even going to explore that right now.
• For the Egyptian Military (this is probably the only time I’ll ever say that) who just exempted my boyfriend.
• For air, because breathing feels so wonderful.
• For the possibility that is so ripe in the air right now… we can do anything we want.
• For the dizzy feeling of euphoria I’m experiencing.
• For friends who are there to share the good news.

And true to my promise… today I am fabulous because I am wearing neon orange. When is neon orange NOT fabulous?

When a thing disturbs the peace of your heart, give it up.

— Prophet Muhammad (via showslow)

(Source: trusimplicity)

(Source: livehappyagain)

Inner Office Gratitude

I’m thankful for:

• A boss who’s just come back from vacation, and who appreciates me.
• My L’Oréal pitch, which is more or less complete!
• My big sleek ergy iMac with the Sennheisers, waiting for me to tumble in out of the rain.
• My glorious stainy black felt pen which is not too thick, just thick enough.
• My Evian water bottle with the sports nozzle.
• The asymmetrical tulle-sleeved black dress that I can wear with stockings and rainboots.
• Cashmere cardigans. This must be what the inside of a womb feels like, except less wet.
• Candace, who said today that C&C has ashy knees.

Beginning the Week with Gratitude & Fabulousness

• For evenings and afternoons full of friends, shisha, dinner, football games, and curious conversations.
• For living in a country where people actually protest and demand accountability when shit like this happens. Americans, get on your game and start holding your government accountable to the crimes it commits against humanity. 
• For people who still turn to me for advice about DC.
• For sheets that smell of sunshine they soaked up while hanging from my balcony to dry. 
• I too, am grateful for shift blouses. Billowy, flattering, flowing, glamorous shift blouses.

Oh, and on another note, I have decided to make a conscientious effort to be more fabulous. As often as possible. And since being fabulous makes me happy, I am toying with the idea of recording the things I do that make me feel fabulous. So here goes:

• On Saturday I concocted a deep conditioning hair mask out of yogurt, mayo, and olive oil. I covered my hair with it and shampooed it out an hour later. My hair is soft, sparkly, touchable, and pretty much… fabulous. (I also stole some of the boyfriend’s oil replacement cream and worked it in to the ends of my hair, post-shampoo, which may have contributed.)

Sleepy Saturday Gratitude

I’m thankful for:

• Being good at my job — yeah, including the schmoozing part.
• New friends.
• The boyfriend who snatches me up from behind and pulls me onto his lap when I rise to take the dishes.
• Having no work to do tonight.
• Gossip Girl. Seriously. I’m like, suckling from it right now.
• Brunch with my best Paris friend, and everyday Gchat day with my best Cairo friend.
• Secret spy games!
• The weight I’ve lost, and the diet that’s brought me to a curious equilibrium.
• Shift blouses that make me feel pretty and safe.
• Hot tea and my own warm bed.

Bed Time Gratitude

• For a week and a half, and more, with non-stop social engagements. I never thought I’d have so many things to do and people to see.
• For feasts that I can make, and share with my boyfriend.
• For a boyfriend who rides through it all: my ups and downs, my emotions, my tears, and then sticks it through until I come around and apologize the next day.
• For that time of the month, because it’s such a relief, isn’t it?
• For health: I’ve eaten heaps of vegetables every day this week, breakfast most days, and I’ve worked out three times in the last six days. Not amazing, but worth mentioning.

livinglifespurposee:

Stop being sad and start being awesome!

Late Night Gratitude

1. For girlfriends who brave cross-city traffic to sit with me, and shisha, for a few hours.
2. For the basics: electricity, water, roads, cars, planes… even internet. Because I had a power outage tonight, and it was only for five minutes, and electricity is just always… ON.
3. For not living in a country where people regularly die from shootings, murders, psychopaths, anti-immigration defense forces, civilian armies, lack of health insurance or proper/affordable medical care. Basically for not living in America. Fuck yeah.
4. For feeling connected to people that I may not know very well, but the things I know about them touch me deeply.
5. For friends who reach out and help me solve problems: whether it’s suggesting a solution to a load of laundry soiled from a neighbor’s poor decision to let their wash drip on mine, or offering advice on how to respond to a flirtatious new male friend without making it awkward. Friends are awesome.

The more you consistently choose loving, appreciative thoughts, the more your aura radiates out that energy of love and appreciation. Then, you truly uplift – what you focus upon shines and your mere presence illuminates.

— Karen Whitaker  (via thefreenomad)

(Source: moreofamore)