Day 384

Cathy Brooks
Sep 5, 2018 · 3 min read

Resilience

You know I’m a word nerd, right? Well, if you’re new to my writing that’s an important thing to know. I love words. I love language. I love the artful craft of stitching those things together. Before stitching, it is first and foremost about the words. They are building blocks, the literary LEG-O of my life.

Today I had occasion to think about what my word is. Someone asked me. They asked me to pick a word that was meaningful to me and to talk about it. The hard part of that was picking just one. I kinda like the word Moxie. I’m also a big fan of authenticity, truth, honesty, and compassion. I’d be remiss if I didn’t throw in the word serendipity, especially with its impact in my life course. Lately, however, the word resilience rules the roost.

I’m not sure precisely how much I’m allowed to discuss what I was doing today, so I’ll err on the side of conservative and be oblique about it. I spent the afternoon talking with a group of amazing women about the words that matter to us. There was a make-up chair and someone fussing over my face and hair. There was a wardrobe rack laden with various changes of clothing. There was a photo studio, lots of cameras and oodles of hugs. Really good hugs.

My brain feels full, and my heart even more so.



Today’s Gracious Gratitude. I am grateful for:

  • Walking in to a room of strangers and walking out with a dozen new friends
  • Laughter, the kind that comes from the belly
  • My dogs
  • Being asked a question and answering with the kind of authenticity that rattles my bones
  • Speaking that truth and feeling utterly safe to do so
  • Seeing someone who recently offered me an incredible kindness and having the opportunity to thank them
  • Having someone step up and go to bat for me
  • The look on Harlow’s face when I hand her a really big treat
  • That personal growth has no end point
  • That I’m able to laugh at myself and call myself out on stuff — even if sometimes I catch myself after having been something of an a**hole and having to start out by making amends.

Gracious Gratitude

Cathy Brooks

Written by

Raconteur and Silicon Valley expat who’s gone to the dogs … literally. Read more here http://www.hydrantclub.com/our-pack

Gracious Gratitude

There are studies that show a simple practice of gratitude awareness can be a real game changer for productivity.

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