still learning.

cheerful discipline! don't let your mind run away with your heart. let your Heart run away with your Mind.

i grew up on my own. we were very poor, i was abused and unprotected, and the people around me were negative and unsupportive.

i am very proud of the person i have become. i have forged for myself a life that is uplifting, positive, joyful, passionate, and generous. i choose each day to live in gratitude and to do what i can to affect a real, meaningful, and positive change on my environment and with all with whom i interact.

i have become, and am still becoming.

cool thing!: i have been an active community volunteer for the years of my adulthood, and have discovered a new way to further my compassion and deepen my understanding of my connectedness with the world - i call it 'gratitude giving'. starting this year, i have been making small donations for every blessing, or gift that comes into my life. a little here and there to organizations that are truly committed to making good happen. i went through my accounts today, and discovered that while doing this in small ways, i have donated nearly $700 so far this year to organizations like unicef, bawabali, unhcr, casa, the oregon food bank - and that is a lot of money for me... wow! it's not altruistic because it serves to magnify my gratitude for an evening with my brother, or a healthy pet, or for the kindness bestowed on me by a good friend. can i encourage you to try this, as well?