a cup of comfort

it's snowing today.  days like today make me eternally grateful for the world wide web.  i have almost succeeded in "running" all my errands from home today, via email, online shopping, etc.  i could be a career bum so easily it is almost frightening.  

days like today also make me think about the things that comfort me.  a very vivid reality that i have had to face recently is that you can't rely on other people to comfort you.  this is not to say that others can't comfort you.  i am very blessed to have amazing people in my 

life who provide an ample amount of comfort when i need it, however, it is not fair to assume those people will give you what you need (especially me, because i am bad about asking for it).  about two years ago, while living in hawaii, i came to the realization that the one person who can truly make you happy is yourself.  i still believe this, even though there are people who significantly add to this happiness.  it starts within.  the past few days, i have taken this belief a step further and applied to the same concept to comforting one's self.  if i am feeling down, for whatever reason, i honestly believe that i am the only person who can bring myself back up.  while other can try, and god bless them they do, there is a risk that their efforts go unnoticed if i am not ready to be better, therefore causing negative reactions all around.

so today, i am identifying my daily comforts.  here is a list of the simple things in life that comfort me when i am feeling down:

blogging

cleaning my room

yoga

catching up with old friends

tube socks

cooking for someone

watching my niece and nephew sleep

dropping stuff off at goodwill

being a burrito

teaching a dance combo and watching my dancers enjoy it

looking at old pictures and reminiscing

singing the song "breathe" by michelle branch at the top of my lungs

sitting upside down in chairs

granted, there are things that may involve other people that i truly cherish and can instantly pull me out of a slump, like my brother hiding around a corner and scaring the pee right out of me or kisses on the forehead from my lover.  

the holiday season brings a substantial amount of joy to my life, but this year, that joy is accompanied by pain and loneliness that my stepfather is not here with us.  for millions of people, the holidays can be a drag due to a number of reasons.  that is why it is important for us to reach within and take pleasure in the simple, everyday comforts of life.

listen to:  breathe by michelle branch...."if i just breath, let it fill the space between i'll know everything is alright"