Magical Practice Six

The Day Six Exercise of Magic has to do with being thankful for the job you have. Well, because I am currently unemployed, I decided to switch it up to being thankful for the jobs I've had in the past.

I am so thankful for my retail job during college. I really needed some cash -- and I'd never held a job before so I walked into the first store that popped into my head and filled out an application. Luckily, I got an interview scheduled that day, and within two weeks, I found out I got the job! I am SO thankful for that because that job really helped me grow up. It was the first time I had to take responsibility and be accountable for anything in my life. Later, the store became like a second home to me. I made some great friends, met some very interesting people, and made some unforgettable memories. I am ever so thankful for that opportunity.

My next job was a summer internship. It was the very first one I applied to, and I got an interview right away, and within two weeks (again), I found out I had gotten it! It payed amazingly well, and I was able to learn SO much! It was my very first office job, so I learned a lot about corporate culture. It was the first time I felt what it was like in the "real world." I am so very thankful for that opportunity as well!

As for counting my blessings, I've just taken some NyQuil because I'm still sick from last week. So, I'll just list the things I'm grateful for with short descriptions:

1. Microwave. I am so thankful for the microwave because it saves me so much time throughout the day.
2. My very keen sense of hearing. I have terrible eyesight, so I'm glad that my hearing is very sharp. I can hear so many things that my friends and family can't, and that makes me feel special. Thank you for that, God.
3. Modern medicine. Everyday I marvel at how much progress we have made in terms of medicine and health care. Finding out that doctors may have "cured" HIV in a toddler makes me feel so glad to be living in an era where I can start ruling out diseases to be afraid of. I'm not saying I'll never get HIV, but I'm thankful that the hard work of researchers and dedicated professionals is paying off. Thank you, God.
4. Target. I am thankful for stores like Target, because they make so many things available for such an affordable price. I love that everything is so clean and nice when I shop. It enhances my shopping experience and brightens my whole day! I'm so thankful!
5. Cleopatra. She was such an intelligent and dedicated person. I'm so thankful for people like her in history. Especially women, wo give me an ideal to look up to -- a role model. I am thankful!
6. My big comfy bed. I am so thankful for having such a comfortable place to sleep. I know I am blessed and that I am lucky because there are so many who won't be as comfortable tonight. I must remember to donate somethings to red cross and good will, and maybe help out at a homeless shelter. I am very thankful for my blessing of a bed.
7. Nail polish. It's my favorite accessory. It makes me so happy to have well manicured, beautiful nails. I am so thankful for nail polish and the happiness it brings me.
8. Pentel Ener-Gel Liquid Ink Gel Pens. After searching for the perfect pen for so long, I finally found it. I am SO thankful for these wonderful pens that write so smoothly, in flawless fine lines of clear sharp ink which doesn't show on the other side of the paper, AND doesn't leak!
9. Kleenex. Especially when I am sick, I appreciate the disposable tissues which give me so much relief! Thank you, God.
10. Scrapbooks. I know they are becoming old-fashioned, but I love scrapbooks. Even if they do become obsolete someday, I will still be thankful that they existed at some point. I love collections of photos and memorabilia so immersed in one another that they tell a story about the owner, and his/her experiences.

Thank you, God, for all of my blessings. I am so very thankful!

Magic Day 3: Magical Relationships

Magical Relationships

The third exercise of Magic, by Rhonda Byrne, is to be grateful to the people in your life. You are to chose three of your closest relationships, get photos of each, and write five things you are most grateful for about each person.

I would recommend buying The Magic by Rhonda Byrne if you are interested in taking this journey.  The book has much more detailed instructions and explanations about each exercise and why we follow them. Used copies are available of The Magic are available on Amazon for around $7.00 -- a very reasonable price for such a useful book! That's less than a burrito and a drink at Chipotle! 

Anyway, for my 3 relationships, I picked a friend who I'll call N, an old friend who I'll call J, and an old neighbor, C. I refrained from picking anyone in my family, because I am thankful to them everyday so I thought I'd mix it up a by picking people that I forget to be thankful to.

For some introduction, N is a friend who I met in high school. We went to separate universities, but we have still managed to stay very close, which I think is a sign that our friendship will endure. N has always been very moral, a bit of a goody-two shoes. She always kept me grounded and has helped me make good decisions on more than one occasion. Friends like that are worth more than gold.

1. Thank you, N, for not judging my honest mistakes.
2. Thank you, N, for kindly letting me know when I did something wrong, and still standing by my side and helping me fix the situation as a true friend would.
3. Thank you, N, for always telling me the truth -- even when you knew it would hurt me. And thank you for being there to support me when I was hurting.
4. Thank you, N, for encouraging me to work hard in school, and showing me how hard work pays off in the end.
5. Thank you, N, for being so considerate on my last birthday, and insisting on taking me out. You really made me feel special :)

J is someone that I met when I started working at my first real job. He was a very charismatic, ambitious, and witty guy. We shared a lot of the same interests and quirks, and he showed me that it's okay to be myself. I learned that I don't have to work so hard to seem perfect all the time, and that it's okay to be silly and weird.

1. Thank you, J, for showing me that there ARE people just as quirky as myself out there in the world.
2. Thank you, J, for being perceptive and knowing when I was sad or upset. And thank you even more for always making me feel better!
3. Thank you, J, for indulging my love for puzzles and riddles and being the best riddle partner I've ever had.
4. Thank you, J, for introducing me to modern instrumental music. It's something I never would have known I loved if it wasn't for you!
5. Thank you, J, for showing me that there are truly loyal people in the world -- just when I'd given up hope. Thank you.

C was like a second mom for me. My own mother is an extraordinary woman. She works really hard to support our family, and on top of working 50-60 hours a week, she still makes time to cook for us, do housework, go grocery shopping, etc... But while I was growing up, my mom was very strict. She gave us 100% and she expected it in return. She had no patience for trifling issues like friends being mean or boys teasing us in school. If I had trouble with a friend at school, or if my crush asked another girl to the winter formal, C was the person I would cry too. Her soft, caring, maternal words would comfort me instantly, and her wise advice guided me safely through the emotional roller-coaster that is high school.

1. Thank you, C, for believing in me. Thank you for giving opportunities to babysit which taught be to be responsible and handle money responsibly. 
2. Thank you, C, for telling me that I could do anything and teaching me not to accept limitations due to my race or gender.
3. Thank you, C, for setting a great example of an adult. I've learned so much about what makes a great person from growing up watching you.
4. Thank you, C, for being on my side. Thank you for taking me to summer camp, and making sure that I was in the group that I wanted to be in before leaving. Thank you for picking me up from school when my parents couldn't make it. Thank you for fighting for me when a teacher was being unreasonable and unfair.
5. Thank you, C, for being a second mother to me. Thanks for the make up tips, fashion tips, and just advice in general on surviving grade school. You really showed me that it does take a village to raise a kid. Thanks for being a village :)

Counting my Blessings

Wow. That took up more time than I thought it would. Luckily, the magical relationships exercise is something that only lasts for one day. The other two, the Magical Rock and Counting Your Blessings is a continuos exercise that I have to do everyday until I finish the book.

So, here are my blessings for today:

1. My friend, N, for all the reasons I listed above. I am so thankful to have her as a friend.
2. My old friend, J, for the above reasons. I am so thankful to have met him!
3. My old neighbor, C, for the above reasons. I am so thankful to have her.
4. My Macbook. I am so thankful for my laptop because it gives me a convenient way to do my homework, connect with my friends, store pictures, work on my blog, etc...
5. Netflix. I am especially thankful for Netflix on a day like today, when I am sick (with a common cold, I think). Netflix gives me a chance to entertain myself as I rest and drink lots of fluids.
6. My electric blanket. I am so thankful that electric blankets exist. It keeps me warm when I am cold or sick so that I can still sit in cold rooms in my house and feel comfortable.
7. James Franco. I am thankful for this actor because his capacity to focus gives me hope that it can be done. He is such an inspiration by going to school while acting, teaching, and still doing other projects. Thinking of him gives me hope, and I am so thankful!
8. Cameras! I am so thankful that we live in the era of digital cameras and instant portraits! We have the ability to photo-document our entire lives -- not just rare, premeditated moments.
9. Always Infinity.  Might be a strange thing to be thankful for, but I'm sure that all the girls who tried it are thankful! It's so good to be able to sleep confidently when mother nature pays a visit :)
10. Chocolate. Nothing makes me feel instantly better like chocolate does. I am so thankful for chocolate and everything that it enhances (i.e. chocolate milk, cookies, strawberries, etc...).